Miniature WWI medal ribbon bar - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Chacal · #1 31-12-13, 05:14 PM

As part of a swap last night I picked up this miniature WWI medal ribbon bar which measures 31mm across. Before I swap or sell it on can anyone tell me who would have used it? Was it for wear on mess dress? Any ideas or comments greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Graham

paj1 · #2 31-12-13, 06:51 PM

Graham
medal ribbons are for ww1 14 or 14-15 star trio
could be worn on mess dress or when in civvies
Julian

tonyb · #3 31-12-13, 07:08 PM

Were these miniature medals a bought item or issued?
Cheers Tony.

Mike_2817 · #4 31-12-13, 07:45 PM

Miniature medals have always been a private purchase, and on British military mess dress, miniature medals not just ribbons were worn. Many civilian organisations who wore uniform encouraged the use of medal ribbons after the war.

tonyb · #5 31-12-13, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

Miniature medals have always been a private purchase, and on British military mess dress, miniature medals not just ribbons were worn. Many civilian organisations who wore uniform encouraged the use of medal ribbons after the war.

Thanks for information Mike, though that was probably the case, I recall when I was a child, a mate of mines' Grandad showing his Great War medals in their original packaging, no miniatures were included.
Cheers Tony.

Chacal · #6 31-12-13, 08:04 PM

Thank you for your replies, but this bar looks smaller than miniature medals I've seen in the past - or is that just an optical illusion?

Graham

2747andy · #7 31-12-13, 08:06 PM

Tony,
miniatures would probably only have been worn by those with Sergeants or Officers Mess status, so not everyone would have purchased miniature medals!

Andy

AndyC_65 · #8 31-12-13, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chacal

Thank you for your replies, but this bar looks smaller than miniature medals I've seen in the past - or is that just an optical illusion?

Graham

I have one too, a lot smaller than even the miniature ribbon bar.

Mine has the "horse-shoe crescent" fixing on the back for fixing in a buttonhole.

I had always assumed that the intent was for the veteran to wear in civvies in his buttonhole.

Cheers,

Andy C

Nozzer · #9 31-12-13, 09:11 PM

These ribbon bars were commercially available after the war. Below is one still on the card, but full size. I think that I have seen similar for miniatures.

If you have a query regarding medals, you should try this forum http://www.britishmedalforum.com/ They will give you all the answers.

All the best for the new year,

Andy

Chacal · #10 31-12-13, 10:15 PM

Thank you all for your information/suggestions, much appreciated.

Happy New Year

Graham