samcoins Posted 23 February Share Posted 23 February Hello, I have in my collation this French great medal that i know nothing about it, can any one help?? 2 1/8 inch high, 1 6/8 inch wide, 3/4 inch thick, 53.2 grams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 23 February Share Posted 23 February (edited) Is there anything about it that makes you believe it is a WW1 item? I’m not a medal collector but don’t recall seeing anything similar. I wonder if it may be a civic item, mayoral badge of office type of thing. Only guesswork I hasten to add. Simon Edited 23 February by mancpal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 23 February Author Share Posted 23 February Thanks Simon, I don't know if it's WW1 item, I forgot to mention that the center medal is a blue color glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TullochArd Posted 23 February Share Posted 23 February Nothing suggests WW1 to me however the unusual depth of the bowl and presence of two distinct species of plant making up the garland (one is laurel = triumph) along with a dark stone and crossed National flags is all suggestive of period mourning jewelry. I reckon if you popped the top you might well get a surprise. It likely opens like the back of a well fitted watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 24 February Author Share Posted 24 February Thanks so much TullochArd for your time and your knowledge, I will try to open the top and will display the surprise. Thanks again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TullochArd Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February 1 hour ago, samcoins said: I will try to open the top and will display the surprise. ...... careful now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February I must say I hadn’t considered a watch but I had a passing thought that if it does open then perhaps a locket in memory of a loved one. As mentioned above take care of it. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TullochArd Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February 9 minutes ago, mancpal said: I must say I hadn’t considered a watch but I had a passing thought that if it does open then perhaps a locket in memory of a loved one. As mentioned above take care of it. I didn't think it was a watch either but thought prising open the top would be similar to removing "the back of a well fitted watch". A similar locket I've seen contained a tiny photo and a lock of hair. The tricolours suggest to me a military/national connection rather than a simple family/personal connection ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 24 February Author Share Posted 24 February Thanks again for all of your input!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February Sorry TullochArd, I wasn’t suggesting you thought it was a watch, perhaps my last post was ambiguously worded. It was the ‘stud’ on the side which reminded me of a locket type catch. That said I can’t identify a hinge on the opposing side. I am familiar with lockets, one in particular that belonged to my grandmother had a photo of my grandfather. Sadly the locket has long since disappeared but I do have the remains of the group photo of 5 prisoners sent home from Gettorf PoW camp with my grandfathers head missing! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 24 February Author Share Posted 24 February Yes, there is a hinge on the opposing side!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February My moneys on a locket then! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 24 February Author Share Posted 24 February Thanks again Simon, I'll try to very carefully to open the locket and if succeed I'll post the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February I wait with baited breath! Please be careful though, it would be a shame to cause damage to such an item after so many years. If you aren’t over confident about opening it yourself perhaps a local jeweller or watch repairer may be able to assist. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interested Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February Waiting to see what you find... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 24 February Author Share Posted 24 February I'll take it to a jeweler it's too delicate and I don't want to take the risk, when I'll have any new information I’ll update the post. Thanks everyone for your help and you input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roselyn2 Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February Looking at the shape of the item. I don’t know if France have got Masonic Lodges . Looking forward to your answer. Lyn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 25 February Author Share Posted 25 February Hi Lyn, I don't know much about this locket, I have it for many years and this is why I posted here. to get some help, I'll try to open it at a jeweler and see if anything inside can help, none of the replays suggested that might be a masonic. the moment I'll find some more information I'll posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 25 February Share Posted 25 February If it was Masonic surely it would possess a clear indication of the square and compass associated with that organisation? I know little about the Masons but for a ‘secret society’ there are numerous items available on auction sites where the square and compass is prominent. I can’t see the connection on this occasion . Maybe you or other members can point out what I’m missing. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGB Posted 25 February Share Posted 25 February Not a French medal, some sort of bijouterie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TullochArd Posted 26 February Share Posted 26 February (edited) On 24/02/2024 at 23:58, roselyn2 said: Looking at the shape of the item. I don’t know if France have got Masonic Lodges . Looking forward to your answer. Lyn. ....... now there certainly are obvious similarities with the OP and this Masonic item described as "a solid sliver gilt medal (East Lancashire) fully hallmarked being made in Birmingham in 1934 by George Kenning and Sons." I think you might be right. (edit the OP is a local variation of a Masonic Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearers collar jewel) Edited 27 February by TullochArd (edit the OP is a local variation of a Masonic Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearers collar jewel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 26 February Share Posted 26 February TullochArd, I think you may have cracked it. As I mentioned earlier I know nothing much about freemasonry either in the UK or other countries. The image you present has so many similarities I feel it would be difficult to provide an argument against your evidence. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 27 February Author Share Posted 27 February Hi Lyn, I don't know much about this locket, I have it for many years and this is why I posted here. to get some help, I'll try to open it at a jeweler and see if anything inside can help, none of the replays suggested that might be a masonic. the moment I'll find some more information I'll posted. I did not take it to a jeweler yet, so what are the meaning of the two crossed france flags? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcoins Posted 27 February Author Share Posted 27 February 4 hours ago, samcoins said: I did not take it to a jeweler yet, so what are the meaning of the two crossed france flags? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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