Military Medals: Displaying and Preserving

.223Savage

.223Savage

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Sorry if this is the wrong forum but I suspected the best wisdom would be here.

Over the last couple of gun shows I have picked up 4 Canadian Medals to go with my son's Enfield collection. It was a bit sad to see them sitting in a jumble of stuff on table at the show. Someone sacrificed a great deal to deserve those medals.

I would like to know what some of you have done to display them with the honour they merit. I have then in shadow boxes (frame with a box behind it) behind glass with a nice contrasting background. If anyone is interested I can post a pic or two.

Do you have any interesting ways to display them?

Second question the Stars for Italy and France and Germany are copper coloured and tarnished. Do I clean them, if so how, or leave the patina?

Thanks.
 
I remember when rooting through my grandfathers old papers finding the manual and even the original box for his service medal, If I find some time (which I doubt lately, juggling work, school finals, and home is becoming hecktic right now) but there were instructions how to polish them and display them and whatnot.
 
I have my medals in a display case with a glass cover. They are hung in place with a thin needle like pin that goes through the very top of the ribbon or ring on the medal and weave it through the back of the display case, a sort of in and out to hold the medal and ribbon in place. Works quite well with my big medals like the Knights Cross.

Edit: I don't clean any of my medals as the tarnish adds to their value.
 
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Keep mine in a riker box, glass topped cardboard box with some sort of white filler in it.
Pride of place is one from Waterloo to a R.A. driver.

When I retired, they took mine and stuck them in a glass topped wood box. Its stuck somewhere in the house, not worth hanging on the wall. Mostly for time served,and one for doing a good job. NOT for getting shot at!;)
 
I posted a thread on this in the chat section a while ago. I collected what was left of my grandfather's and great-grandfather's WW1 & WW2 medals and made a presentation display from them. I used a picture frame from the dolalr store that had enough room between the glass and backing for the medals and then used a black piece of craft rubber/foam from same store for a backing. Also, I cleaned my Great-grandfather's CEF medal from WW1 with a q-tip, and a mild vinegar/water solution. It cleaned off the grime and left the patina.
 
granite said:
So while we are on medals, what is the thoughts on value for an original Canadian Parachute hat badge from WWII (not a post war repro one).
Click to expand...

Bakelite or brass? If bakelite, with our without the pin?

Brass, depending on condition, $150-400, maybe a bit more.

Bakelite, again depending on condition, $350+. The pin is worth an additional $100-200, maybe even more, as many of these badges are missing the pin.

ebay has created a market where budding militaria collectors who do no research but have deep pockets have driven prices up, up, up. And because there is a finite number of these badges left, the prices will only continue to rise.
 
I put my grandfather's medals in a shadow box with a khaki wool backing. I then added some regimental artifacts that were original, but not original to him as his didn't make it back to Canada. The pictures are of him while in the service.

bites009.jpg
 
Canuck98k, i love the idea of using the uniform material for the background and the regimental flashes. You have inspired me.

Thanks to all that posted and in particular those that display their medals on their chest, I thank you for your service to our country.
 
Very nice displays!
I have been trying to figure out how to set mine out as i have an assortment of WW2 Campaign medals to display about 8 and then some pins and badges and i have been looking for ideas!
Adanac00
 
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