Cross of St. George (Russia) 3rd Class - Genuine?

[Ivor Anderson]

Cross of St. George (Russia) 3rd Class - Genuine?

A friend recently bought this medal in an antique shop. The serial no. is 305 604 and the 'b M' either side confirms it is a 1916/17 white metal version.

49,500 3rd class white metal medals: Nos. 289,151 to No. 338,650 were produced before the medal was abolished by the 1917 Revolution.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_St._George   However, there is an identical one with the same serial no. for sale here:

https://medals-orders.com/russia-empire-ussr-/russia-ww1-st-george-cross-3rd-class-military-medal-decoration-1916-1917-romanov-great-war.html

Questions - is his genuine or a remould/copy? Was the same serial no. used more than once?

How would he find out who was awarded the medal with serial number 305 604?

I am aware that some were awarded to British soldiers, e.g. LG 15 Feb 1917 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29945/supplement/1603

                                                                                         LG 25 August 1915  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29275/supplement/8505

Edited 11 April by Ivor Anderson
Additional Info

[Ivor Anderson]

Example of the pre 1917 silver (3rd Class) version: https://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEMWINDOW.HTM?ITEM=37227

With excellent close up photos - NB no 'b M' as on the white metal version!

Edited 11 April by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

I'm beginning to think that 305 604 is a common replica number? Off another site:

Edited 11 April by Ivor Anderson

[brianmorris547]

 

Arthur Kemp of 5 Loyal North Lancs is named in LG 29945. He was from Bolton and was awarded the Silver Medal of St George 4th Class for his actions on 09/08/1916 at Guillemont. 

Brian

[Ivor Anderson]

 WW1 Russian Cross of St George 3rd Class 104759 to DCM recipient - 899 CPL. T. DUFFY. 1/MANCH: REGT. - online images

[KGB]

My Grandfathers 4th class does not have any number. Saw some for sale in the Arbat, 2002. Ten quid. 

[stevenbecker]

These like many Forign awards can be hard to find from the long gone Govts.

I had the same for the Vietnam Star, so many types out there.

It would depend on what the soldiers could get post war?

Copies are not that unknown, there easier to replace, I have a few incase I lose my own

[Mikhail]

On 11/04/2023 at 17:01, Ivor Anderson said:

Cross of St. George (Russia) 3rd Class - Genuine?

A friend recently bought this medal in an antique shop. The serial no. is 305 604 and the 'b M' either side confirms it is a 1916/17 white metal version.

49,500 3rd class white metal medals: Nos. 289,151 to No. 338,650 were produced before the medal was abolished by the 1917 Revolution.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_St._George   However, there is an identical one with the same serial no. for sale here:

https://medals-orders.com/russia-empire-ussr-/russia-ww1-st-george-cross-3rd-class-military-medal-decoration-1916-1917-romanov-great-war.html

Questions - is his genuine or a remould/copy? Was the same serial no. used more than once?

How would he find out who was awarded the medal with serial number 305 604?

I am aware that some were awarded to British soldiers, e.g. LG 15 Feb 1917 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29945/supplement/1603

                                                                                         LG 25 August 1915  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29275/supplement/8505

All russian specialists sites say this is a copy, souvenir products.