Belgium, Order of Leopold, Order of Leopold II, Order of the Crown, Order of the Lion, Order of the Star of Africa, Croix de Guerre, King Albert, Baudoin

NEW! WW1 Colonial Service Medal (La Médaille Commémorative Coloniale 1914-1918). Awarded to civillians who served in Congo during WW1. Bronze gilt, original ribbon (very nice watermarking). Thin wreath suspension type. No bar. Shows light wear (mostly to gilding and few slight edge bumps). Scarce medal. Item # Bel-70  (148-NS) *ON HOLD*

NEW! 1940 - 1945 Maritime medal (Medaille Maritime). This medal was approved by Belgian Government in exile in 1941 (in London). Awarded to seamen of the Belgian fleet (both Navy and Merchant Marine) for merit while at sea. Also given as an award for long service (2 years) during war on board of Allied vessels/ships. Hard to find Belgian award. Comes with original (and proper) crossed anchors ribbon device. Rampant Belgian lion to obverse and King's (Leopold III) Royal cipher to reverse. Fancy suspension. Original ribbon. Condition is very good with, nicely toned with age. 32.8mm in diameter. Item # Bel-69 (98)

Leopold II, Royal Life Saving Society gold medal. Silver gilt, great quality. Old ribbon appears original. Attributed on reverse to: 'J. Rondeau'. Oberse inscrided: 'Leopold II R.D. Belg. Souv. De. L'Etat Indep. D. Congo'. Reverse inscribed: 'Societe Royale Des Sauveteurs De Belgique'. 27mm in diameter. Old style crown. Quite rare in this form. Wonderful example for a Belgian medals or Life Saving medal collector. Item #Bel-56 (78)

WW1 War Cross (Croix de Guerre). Bronze, touch of verdigris. Original ribbon has few pulls. Nice early quality, considerably thicker than later issues. Large lion type. 40mm wide. Item #Bel-57 (45)

Commemorative Medal of the Reign of Leopold II. Medaille Commemorative du Règne de S. M. Léopold II. Awarded for 20 years 'good and faithful' service of a civic nature. 1st type of award with dates 1865-1905. No ribbon. Bronze gilt, very good condition. 32mm dia. Item #Bel-59 (20)

Commemorative Medal of the Reign of Leopold II, type 2 with dates 1865-1909. Very good quality, maker's mark above King's epaulette. Original ribbon lightly faded. 32mm dia. Item #Bel-60 (30)

Commemorative Medal of the Reign of King Albert. Medaille Commemorative du Règne de S. M. Albert. Issued for good and faithful service in the army during 1909-1934. Designers initials V.D. (Victor Demanet). Bronze, light wear. Original ribbon. 32mm dia. Item #Bel-62 (24)

Medal for the Military Fighter of the War 1940-45. De Medaille van de Militaire Strijder van de Oorlog 1940-1945. Instituted in 1967 as an award to enlisted military personnel during the Second World War. There was a need for strictly miltary awards since most Belgian medals were extended to civilians as well. It also could be conferred on Belgians or foreigners serving in the UK during WW2. Type with very well-detailed lion. 38mm wide. Original ribbon. Item #Bel-64 (42)

City of Charleroi WW2 Commemorative medallion. Inscibed: "La ville de Charleroi reconnaissante 1940-1945." Large (70mm dia.) bronze medallion by 'Darville'. Good condition, darkened with age. Interesting design. Item #Bel-65 (50)

Special decoration for industry and agriculture, Mutualite - Onderlinge Bijstand (Health/Security) type. 2nd class. Appears to be silver. Original ribbon, multi-part construction. Enamels intact. Very attractive. Item #Bel-67 (38)

Rare officer cap badge of Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo (Belgian Maritime Company of Congo). This shipping company dates back to 1895. King Leopold II (with considerable British influence) established CBMC in order to provide a regular shipping service to Congo. On 6 February 1895 the passenger liner Léopoldville (I) was the first ship to leave Antwerp under Belgian flag. Until 1930, activities were limited to shipping service to Congo, carrying passengers, cargo and mail. In 1930 CBMC absorbed the Belgian shipowner Lloyd Royal Belge. The company name was changed into Compagnie Maritime Belge and the first additional lines to North and South America and the Far East were started. In the Second World War CMB lost three quarters of its fleet aiding War effort.
Badge dating is difficult but most likely circa early 1900's. Floral wreath in metal bullion, considerable amount of verdigris throughout. Copper (or bronze) badge with all enamels intact, affixed to body with 2 folding prongs. Black cloth bacground, white canvas and paper backing. Thickly padded. Shows wear and age. All early shipping insignia are hard to find. Overall 66mm x 46mm. Most interesting and original badge. Item #Bel-66 (128)

Decoration Industrielle et Agricole (Decoration for Industry and Agriculture). 1st class, 1905 type. Original ribbon with 18mm rosette. Gilt crown suspension. Good quality, enamels intact. Rivet shows through on reverse. Item #Bel-46. (26)

Decoration Industrielle et Agricole (Decoration for Industry and Agriculture). 2nd class, 1905 type. Original ribbon somewhat soiled. Appears to be silver, but not hallmarked. Good quality, enamels intact. Concave reverse, marked "E. van Zuylen" and "Brux." for Brussels. Highly unusual to see maker marks on these pieces. Judging by marks and condition, likely pre-WWI issue. Item #Bel-47. (55)

Decoration du Travail (Labour Decoration). 1st class, 1958 type. Original ribbon with 18mm rosette. Gilt crown suspension. Good quality, enamels intact. Plain reverse. Perfect condition. Item #Bel-48. (25)

Decoration du Travail (Labour Decoration). 2nd class, 1958 type. Original ribbon with 18mm rosette. Gilt crown suspension. Good quality, enamels intact. Plain reverse. Perfect condition. Item #Bel-49. (20)

Decoration Civique pour ancienneté de services (administratifs). Civic Decoration for long service. 1867 type. Medal, 2nd class. Granted to mid-level public workers after 25 years of service (eg. prison guards, chaplains, supervisors), and as an additional award for 35 years of service to public workers in lesser positions. Item #Bel-50. (18)

Decoration Civique pour ancienneté de services (administratifs). Civic Decoration for long service. 1867 type. Medal, 3rd class. Granted to public workers in lesser positions (eg. hospital janitors, laundresses) after 25 years of service. Quite nice details. Item #Bel-51. (15)

Commemorative Medal of the War 1914-1918. Instituted July 21, 1919. Awarded to Belgian civilians who served in the armed forces during WWI. Name impressed to right of soldier's head "E.J. De Bremaecker". Maker-marked on reverse "E.D.R." 31 x 48 mm. Item #Bel-40. (22)

Albert I Veteran's Group medal. White metal. Dated 1909-1934. Recipient name engraved: "Wageman A". 41 mm dia. Item #Bel-41. (15)

Military Decoration for Long Service, 2nd Class. Bronze gilt. 1910-1934 issue, Double 'A' reverse .Smaller lion variation, type VIII (according to  G. Deploige). Instituted on December 22, 1873, awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks for ten years’ service. 33 x 50 mm. Item #Bel-42. (38)

WWI-Colonial Service Bar. Comprised of: (1) Order of Leopold II, gilt merit cross. Bronze gilt. French inscription. Very good quality. (2) Deportees Cross 1914-1918. Awarded to all Belgians who were deported as defaulters into Germany and were submitted to forced labour. (3) Colonial Service Star, gold class. 1910 type. Silver gilt, 950 purity hallmark. Multi-part construction. Superb quality. Awarded for 10 years' service in the Congo. (4) The Medal for Colonial War Effort 1940-1945. (5) Military Decoration, 1910-1934 type. First class for 15 years' service, with chevron, type IX (according to  G. Deploige). All mounted on original ball-tipped bar. Item #Bel-43. (285)

WW1 Veteran Association Commemorative Cross. Bronze. Blue enamel to centre. Complete with old silk ribbon (unsure if original). Very interesting piece. Darkened with age. 32.5mm wide. Item # Bel-1 (32)

Grounds of Waterloo battle souvenir medal. Complete with old ribbon (unsure if original). Bronze, well struck. Unknown vintage. Lightly worn, no damage. Most interesting piece. Item # Bel-2 (65)

Médaille Commémorative du Comité National, fourth class. National Comittee recognition medal for social workers during German occupation during WW1. Bilingual (French and Flemish) inscription to reverse: 'En Souvenir De Sa Collaboration', 'Ter herinnering aan zyn medewerking'. Interwoven letters 'CN' to centre with dates 1914 and 1918 to sides. Medal by G.Cevreese (marked to obverse). 34mm in diameter. Ribbon appears to be original. Nicely detailed. Shows wear and age. Item # Bel-9. (38).

WW2 Combatant lapel slide. Bronze with nice details. 12.5 x 20.3mm. Item #Bel-11. (22)

1940 Royal tribute commemoration. Simple yet elegant little medal, head of Leopold III on obverse. Ribbon appears to be original. 20.5mm dia. Item # Bel-14   (35)

Brabant (region of Belgium). Belgian Bicycle League race prize (11th place in 52Km race). Great detail and high relief. Royal arms with laurel/oak branches to obverse. Inscription: 'Ligue velocipedique Belge', 'Brabant'. Maker and designer - Fisch brothers (A & P). Reverse engraved '3-5-94' (obviously 1894), '11e Prix, 52 Kil' all within oak/laurel wreath. 30mm in diameter. Old ribbon. Very nice medal, struck in bronze. Shows age and wear, no damage. Item # Bel-16. (24)

Order of Leopold II. Cased Knight class. Maker stamped to lid of the cardboard box: 'Fonson, Medailies '. Not much is known about this maker except that he was in business until WW2. Silver cross with gilt center. Very good condition to all. Cardboard (silk lining to bottom) box of issue. Enamel intact. Item # Bel-26 (95)

The Civic Decoration for Long Service - silver cross with original ribbon. WW1 vintage in silver. Great details and very good condition. Ribbon lightly faded. Reverse same as obverse. Item # Bel-28 (25)

Custody of Rhineland (Occupation) Commemorative medal for participant of both occupations 1918-1929 and 1945-1955. Issued to troops taking part in both events. Medal in bronze, designed by M. Henry. Made by famous Belgian maker: P. Degreef, Brussels (marked to reverse). Original silk ribbon. Good details and high relief. 38mm x 50mm. Item # Bel-32 (40)

Decoration for Work. 1st class, earlier type (since 1905). Original ribbon with 18mm rosette. Gilt crown suspension. Good quality, enamels intact. Plain reverse, probably Made by J. Fonson. Item # Bel-36 (22)

The African War Medal 1940-1945. Medaille Africaine de la Guerre 1940-1945. Awarded to officers and other ranks of the armed forces that served in the "Force Publique" (probably best described as a colonial armed force). Awarded for service (at least 1 year) between May 10th, 1940 and May 7th, 1945. Medal in solid brass. Original ribbon. Reverse is plain. Designers' name: 'Dupagne'. 50mm x 32mm. Item #Bel-63 *SOLD*

WWI Inter-Allied Victory medal. Official Type 1 (Laslo). Awarded to those who served in Belgian Army between August 1, 1914 and November 1, 1918. Designer's name in raised letters on obverse: "PAUL DUBOIS". Wonderful worn original ribbon. 36.5 mm. Item #Bel-39. *SOLD*

Military service medal during 1870-71 French-Prussian War. Although not a participant, Belgian army had stood ready guarding borders in case of German offensive. This cross was mainly awarded to commanding officers and NCO's of the armed forces. Not often seen. Beautiful detail. Obverse featuring King's head. 4 armed cross with oak leaf wreath between arms. Reverse inscribed: 'Anciens Militaires, 1870, 1871'. Fancy swiveled crown suspender and fine ring. Original ribbon in good condition with light stains. Medal in gilt (some has rubbed off), 85% remaining. 48mm high (bottom to tip of crown) x 30mm. Presents quite nicely. Item # Bel-8. *SOLD*

Commemorative medal for army mobilization during Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Medal in bronze. Nice gold highlights. Attractive design with Belgian Royal arms and inscription to obverse. Reverse of letter 'A' (King Albert instituted this medal) and dates 1870-71. 32mm in diameter. Original ribbon lightly worn and soiled. Item # Bel-13. *SOLD*

Medal of Recognition to Civilian Victims of the WW1. Excellent design. Finest quality ribbon of 'inverted' Interallied Victory Medal colour pattern. Oxidised bronze. 50mm x 32mm. Quite interesting medal. Item # Bel-68  *SOLD*

Belgian Red Cross Merit decoration, first class. 1880-1940's. Not issued after WW2. Three-part construction. Most likely bronze gilt. Lion with small red cross shield to center. Dark red enamel intact, except for a tiny crack on center shield. 37mm wide. Item #Bel-5. *SOLD*

WW1 commemorative medal. Complete with 4 years service ribbon device. Item #Bel-61 *SOLD*

WW2 War cross with bronze palm to ribbon (letter 'L' for King Leopold). Awarded for valour and bravery on battlefield. Very good condition, ribbon lightly faded with age. Royal cipher to reverse (Leopold III). Early, local manufacture.38mm wide. Multi part construction. Much more rare than the WW1 War Wross. Hard to find. Item # Bel-10 *SOLD*

WWI Yser Cross. This early campaign saw nearly 1/3 of all the Belgian army killed or wounded by advancing Germans. Fights took place along river Yser. Some 60 000 men were casualties. Although the Cross replaced the Yser medal, it is much harder to find; in fact it is quite scarce as one had to apply for this issue and few bothered. Yser was one of more important battles of the Great War. Very attractive in design. Wounded lion on a battlefield with Yser below and royal cypher with crown (within green enamel) atop. Reverse of naked soldier with staff, date 17-31 Oct 1914, green enamelled YSER atop. Cross in bronze, good heavy quality. Designer marked to obverse. Scarce piece. 43mm wide. Item #Bel-53. *SOLD*

Yser medal. Bronze with green enamelled suspension. Awarded to those who resisted the German advance on the River Yser in Oct 1914. Enamel intact. Original ribbon. 38 x 49 mm. Item #Bel-44. *SOLD*

WW1 Injured Soldier badge. Soldat Belge Hors Combat. Probably better classified as a 'wounded badge'. Officially numbered '8167' to reverse (impressed). These were issued to some 10 000 soldiers. Die struck in white metal, lapel type fastener (slightly bent). Good condition. These are actually hard to find badges. Designed by: 'Victor Rousseaot'. 45mm x 40mm. Item #Bel-58 *SOLD*

1831 War of Independence Commemorative Medallion. Obverse of General D'hooghvorst, commander of Civil guard. Reverse inscribed: 'Dediee a la nation, MDCCCXXXI, Fidelite Courage Desinteressement'. Silver plated, signed by 'Hart F'. Great detail, high relief. Very good condition with just minor wear. 50mm in diameter. Item # Bel-23. *SOLD*

Rhine Occupation, Army commemorative cross. 1918/1929. Rare type of the award, the officer's type in enamels (black, red and yellow). Silvered bronze. Original silk ribbon. 2 part construction. Plain reverse. Lightly vaulted. Comes with original miniature. Both pieces in cases of issue by DeGreef, Brussels. 30mm, miniature is 12mm. Rarely seen award. Item # Bel-31 *SOLD*

WWII African service medal (Medaille Africaine de la guerre 1940-1945.) Bronze, with all 4 possible bars (hard to find). Bars were issued as follows: "Nigerie" for 3 months' service in Nigeria; "Moyen-Orient" for service in Egypt, Palestine, North Africa, Tripoli, Sudan and those who served at least 6 months in the expeditionary force including the field hospital; "Madagascar" for 1 month's service in Madagascar; "Birmanie" for three months' service in Burma (oddly, since Burma is nowhere near Africa). Original ribbon. Ref. Quinot p. 281. 45 x 31 mm. Item #Bel-54. *SOLD*

Civil Decoration 1914-1918, Cross 2nd class. Silver with white enamel. Issued to civilian and military non-combatants for notable service to the nation. Original ribbon with proper 1914-1918 bar. A few chips in enamel around royal cipher and at cross tips. 36 x 41 mm. Item #Bel-45. *SOLD*

Commemorative medal of King Albert's 25 year reign. There are many different designs released for that occasion but this one is in my opininon one of the more interesting pieces. Four-armed cross with crown suspension, red enamelled letter 'A' within wreath to obverse. Reverse with dates '1909-1934'. Original ribbon and fastening device. 31mm. Gilded bronze, majority intact. Item # Bel 18. *SOLD*

Queen Elisabeth Medal, 1914-1916. Bronze. Instituted on 15 September 1915, awarded to Belgians and foreigners for wartime services. Image of the Queen on obverse, reverse depicts a veiled woman symbolising sacrifice and submission to duty and humanity. Marked "RV". Interestingly, most are dated 1914-1918, but this example is dated 1914-1916, evidently issued during the War. On original ribbon. 35 mm. Item #Bel-38. *SOLD*

Belgium - WW2 War Cross 'Croix De Guerre'. All original, "L" palm on ribbon. Good condition, patterned arms type. Item #Bel-52. *SOLD*

WW2 Commemorative Medal. Awarded to all participants (armed forces, merchant marine and resistance). Belgian lion with letter V (for Victory) beneath. Reverse inscribed: 'Herinneringsmedaille, medaille commemorative de la guerre 1940-1945 van den oorlog'. Original ribbon. Gilded bronze (much worn). Nice condition, no damage. 37mm diameter. Item # Bel-12 *SOLD*.

WWII Veteran's Cross. Issued after the war. Bronze gilt, multi-piece construction. Original ribbon and swords device. Very good condition. Handsome in appearance. 37.8x64mm. Item #Bel-4. *SOLD*

The African War Medal 1940-1945. Awarded to officers and other ranks of the armed forces that served in the "Force Publique" (probably best described as a colonial armed force). Awarded for service (at least 1 year) between May 10th, 1940 and May 7th, 1945. Medal in solid brass. Original ribbon is stained and faded. Reverse is plain. 50mm x 32mm. Shows wear points. Good overall. Item # Bel-7. *SOLD*

Kingdom, Military cross. This was officer's long service award (1885). 2nd class of the award as given to NCO's for 25 year service. 1st class only differs that rosette was present on ribbon. Original ribbon, black enamels intact. Majority of gilt remaining. This award is hard to find as not many were issued. Nice detail to all. Albert's cypher to reverse. Great looking cross. Item # Bel-15. *SOLD*

WW1 Croix de Guerre. Cross in bronze with unusual finish to arms (almost like intricate pattern as opposed to usual pebble dots). Bronze palm and lion device to ribbon. The latter is hard to find. Letter 'A' for King Albert to palm. The little lion device was issued for citation in the Order of the Day on a regiment level. It has been downgraded from the citation on Army level (to that of regiment level) in 1917 though. For some reason these are hard to find. So the recipient of this cross had one Army level and one Regimental level citation. All original including ribbon. Shows bit of wear, no damage. Item # Bel-17. *SOLD*

Order of Belgian Lion. Knight's badge. Hard to find order in any class. Silver cross with gilt centre. Only minor chip to blue ribband. Original ribbon. 40mm wide x 67mm high. Multi-part construction. Very attractive piece and in great condition. Item # Bel-25 *SOLD*

1830 Volunteer's Cross. Issued for taking part in the war for independence fought against the Dutch. Belgium, after centuries of external rule had finally been recognized as an independent nation. Not many issued. Condition is quite remarkable with nearly no enamel damage (just a bit to one of the tips of the Maltese cross). Silver royal crown as suspension. Original ribbon. These awards had not been re-issued past early 1900's. Original ribbon, although short has much darkening. Great quality to all. Meticulously crafted National lion to center disk, date 1830 to other side. Faint marking to eyelet. Truly rare Belgian award, very hard to find even in Belgium (especially in this condition). Cross spans 35m in width. Item # Bel-21. *SOLD*

WW2 Prisoners of war medal with 2 bars (2 years in prison). Bronze, very good detail. Crown suspension and original ribbon. Very attractive design. Excellent condition. Item # Bel-22. *SOLD* (42)

Order of Belgian Lion. Gold merit medal 1st type. Large inscription variety. Superb details. Hard to find decoration in any class. 30.4 mm in diameter. Original ribbon. Great condition to all. Item # Bel-37 *SOLD*