The new GAF Membership medal

Grapeshot · January 26, 2008, 01:08:38 PM

I received mine last week. I am very pleased with it except for one flaw that I found when examining it under my magnifying glass. All the "F"'s look like "P"'s.

"GRAND ARMY OP THE PRONTIER."

This could be a fault in the mould, I've already pointed it out to the folks at Prairie Flower Leather Co. and told them about it For their information only, I like the medal as is since you can not see the lettering without the aid of a magnifying glass.

River City John · January 26, 2008, 04:48:32 PM

Quote from: Grapeshot on January 26, 2008, 01:08:38 PM
. . . . you can not see the lettering without the aid of a magnifying glass.

Now I would call that a Close Inspection Drill, indeed. . .

I too am pleased with my medal. There were some rough ridges from casting sprues on the back of the medal that I smoothed down with a file. They were catching on the cloth and I feared snagging the material.

Guns Garrett · January 28, 2008, 09:58:22 AM

Perhaps the die was manufactured in the Philippines....

Pitspitr · January 29, 2008, 08:10:55 AM

This really has nothing to do with the new medals, but I found an interesting photo of an enlisted man wearing marksman medals on trapdoorcollector.com. He must have been quite a shot!

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/harpold3.html

RattlesnakeJack · January 29, 2008, 11:08:53 AM

Well, Col. Pitspitr, it relates to medals, the Victorian-era military and shooting ... so it is definitily appropriate for the Barracks and also this thread, in my view ....

To carry the theme a bit further, I had occasion a year or so ago to do some research in connection with the remains of a private-purchase Martini-Henry rifle (i.e. military configuration, but not military issue .... which I believe is now being restored) marked "R. McVittie" that turned up in Canada.

That research led to some interesting information regarding Robert McVittie (1839-1918), nicknamed "Bob the Shot", who was described at one time as "the best shot in the British Empire." He served as a Private in the "Langholm Rifle Volunteers" (one of the Companies of of the 1st Dumfries Rifle Volunteer Corps, which in 1881 became the "Volunteer Battalion" of The Royal Scots Fusiliers). In 1888 he emigrated to Canada, where he became a Staff Sergeant in the 10th Royal Grenadiers of Canada and continued to compete internationally ....

I believe that this photograph was taken before he came to Canada - talk about medals:

Photograph of the Canadian Team at Wimbledon, 1889. S.Sgt. McVittie is standing in the rear row, third from the left:

Details cropped from the above image showing McVittie and another heavily bemedalled marksman, Private Armstong of The Governor General's Foot Guards (seated in middle row, third from left):

Pitspitr · January 29, 2008, 10:09:07 PM

All I can say is, "WOW!" "My" guy sure pales in comparison!

Charlie Bowdre · January 29, 2008, 11:01:07 PM

Great photos all . Nice to see and definitely a great connection to our Forum.

Thanks for sharing
dutchie

Steel Horse Bailey · February 03, 2008, 11:33:15 AM

It would have been interesting to see these guys in action on the range!

Do ya think he's got enough arm strength to raise his arm in salute?

RattlesnakeJack · February 06, 2008, 10:49:58 AM

My GAF Membership Medal arrived yesterday, and must say I'm mighty pleased with it!

Looks like the ribbon got a wee bit mussed up in the left to right reversal process, but should be an easy fix .....

Dusty Tagalon · February 13, 2008, 12:53:07 AM

Would it be possible to have a flat ribbon made up for when we are not in dress uniform? It would still be distinctive. There are no ribbons in the military inventory that would match.

Dusty

US Scout · February 13, 2008, 04:32:07 AM

Quote from: Dusty Tagalon on February 13, 2008, 12:53:07 AM
Would it be possible to have a flat ribbon made up for when we are not in dress uniform? It would still be distinctive. There are no ribbons in the military inventory that would match.

Dusty

Let me think on this a bit before making a decision. Usually, those who wish to do so wear the regular medal regardless of the uniform. A flat ribbon, such as now worn by the military, was not used by the US military during our period (I'll defer to Rattlesnake Jack on the British Empire). Of course, you can always wear our distinctive belt plate or hat wreath.

I'm open to anyone's thoughts on the subject.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

RattlesnakeJack · February 13, 2008, 11:18:51 AM

In the British Empire, for the most part, medal ribbons were traditionally flat, passing through a suspension bar above the body of the medal. That was certainly the case throughout Victoria's reign (1837-1901), and off the top of my head I can think of only one medal awarded during her reign which had the style of ribbon which is gathered into a suspension ring above the medal.

(On the other hand, the gathered ribbon style of suspension became much more common in the 20th century - starting with World War One. Do I understand that this is the opposite of the way things developed with U.S. medal suspensions?)

The normal "flat ribbon" style of suspension is shown in the first image below (1885 North West Canada Medal) and the gathered style which became more the norm in the last century is shown in the second (1914-15 Star).

Drydock · February 13, 2008, 08:53:04 PM

Am I right in assuming he's asking about a bar ribbon, no medal at all? Did those exist in the Victorian era?

The General · February 17, 2008, 05:16:44 PM

I can't help to notice the lettering in the cap badge is crooked. Is this on purpose, an error in the design or just a visual thing in the photos?

Thank you in advance.

TG

Pitspitr · February 17, 2008, 05:47:45 PM

Mine is straight. Must just be an optical illusion.

Cowtown Scout · February 19, 2008, 06:13:43 PM

Placed my order for the medal today.
Scout

Frank Dalton · March 22, 2008, 09:14:56 AM

Quote from: Cowtown Scout on February 19, 2008, 06:13:43 PM
Placed my order for the medal today.
Scout

Hopefully you will receive it in 2008.

I placed my order, paid by PayPal in January and still have not received mine. I have talked to the owner and was told the first time I talked to him via telephone, that it was too cold to pour the bronze until recently (which in NE, it was near 10° at the time so I understand the problem).

The second time I was told that they were having the ribbons fitted, and would be sent out soon. That was about 2 weeks ago.

Still waiting patiently. $:-\$

Cowtown Scout · March 22, 2008, 04:12:49 PM

My medal arrived in the mail today. Looks great and is engraved with my SASS alias and GAF number.
Scout

serenity · March 22, 2008, 05:34:59 PM

Howdy boys,
Just and FYI gentlemen, I am cranking these things out as fast as I can. I sure don't want anybody stuck with junk and if it doesn't pass muster, it ain't goin' out the door!! If you have a problem with your medal, talk to me, send it back and let me know what you don't like. This is not my main business, I am a gun engraver by trade and we also make WWI militaria that is the mainstay of our manufacturing business. Time wise in the winter, there are days I can cast and weeks that I can't. Some days the woodstove just doesn't keep up on the foundry end of the building! That being said, thanks for your business and I hope we can continue in the future.

Steffan Baker
Prairie Flower Leather Co.
www.pflco.com

Frank Dalton · March 22, 2008, 07:11:15 PM

Quote from: Frank Dalton on March 22, 2008, 09:14:56 AM

Still waiting patiently.

As I said, waiting patiently, and sure enough it arrived today.

It was even sent priority mail, so Serenity went an extra step in getting this out.

First impression is that it is a great looking medal, and the ribbon is also excellent. I commend Serenity on his workmanship and always pleasant demeanor. As soon as I can, I will take a digital snapshot with the macro setting on my camera, and will share it with the group.

If you are thinking about ordering one, do it!

Thanks for your excellent work!