gem22 Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 A friend of mine has just purchased a trio to a S Lancs soldier in which the '14-'15 Star is made of a white metal. I cannot be sure if it contains silver but that is what it looks like. The medal is very clean and crisp and, according to his MIC it should be genuine - I have checked that. My question is this - Were any 14-15 Stars made of a white metal? I had only seen stars in the 'bronze' metal previously and wonder if this is a restrike or is there another explanation? Any help gratefully appreciated. Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgardiner1418 Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 Garth, There are examples where people had their 14 or 14-15 Stars silver plated at their own expense, possibly this is one of these. All the best, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gem22 Posted 2 May , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2014 Paul Cheers. Suspected that but couldn't be sure. Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eairicbloodaxe Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 I've also seen copies/replicas made in white metal. Some of them are very good and can of course be stamped with the appropriate name/rank/serial... which would match the medal card detail Perhaps it's one of these? Maybe uploading pics of front/back will help. Regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gem22 Posted 2 May , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2014 Ian I would need to get them off the owner and I'm not sure he would want to know if he has been scammed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 Someone may have attempted to clean the Star in old Silver dip, which could ended up with the Star effectively being silver plated. It could also a simple case that the recipient preferred silver medals and had it plated. Years ago I was given a Khedive's Star which had been plated at some point - personally I think it is horrible, but what can you say with a gift. Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Owl Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 I have seen stars chrome plated--infact I have one to an artilleryman which has been treated in this way. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gem22 Posted 2 May , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2014 Sepoy - not much you can do about presents. Just smile and say thanks. Robert - Chrome plated!! for me that's a no no but no accounting for taste. lol Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 Has anyone tried to remove chrome from a medal? Can it be done or would it destroy the medal? khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellow Posted 3 May , 2014 Share Posted 3 May , 2014 Are there any visible cast lines on the edge of the medal, can you see vertical shear marks? There are indeed base metal copies being sold online with a 'bronzed' finish. It is impossible for anyone to come up with a conclusive opinion with out photograph(s). It would also be nice to know the exact weight of the medal in grams. I would never remove any plating from a medal of historical importance. It can be done with acids, but if you are not an experienced chemist, what you will find is that once the acid has removed the plate it will leave pitting in your medal if not attended to quickly. Would you regret ever attempting it? I think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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