Medal restoration

Leviathan024

Leviathan024

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Hello gun nutz. I am looking to have my grandfathers war medals reconditioned and restored as the glass has been broken for some time. Do any of you have a recommendation for a company or user who specializes in such a thing? Do any of you have information on what each of these are and what they represent? Thanks for any information and if posted in the wrong place please move

Photo link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yTdMR6a4Nkg8qRgW6
 
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations

The link from Veterans Affairs is a pretty exhaustive list of medals that Canadians could have been awarded.

As for your grandfather's medals; the France and Germany Star, the Italy Star, the 1939 - 1945 Star, the War Medal 1939 - 1945, the Canadian Voluntary Service Medal (CVSM), and the Defence Medal.

I believe the order that they are mounted in is technically incorrect, and should be (left to right) the '39 - '45 Star, then the Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence, CVSM, and finally the War Medal.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations/wearing-medals/ww11medals

Being that your grandfather served overseas (campaign stars being awarded) he would have qualified for the Overseas Clasp to the CVSM as well. These are fairly easily acquired, if the original is missing, and should be mounted on the CVSM ribbon.

As for reconditioning, less is more, generally. Of course, it is up to you and your family how you would like the medals displayed. Do you want them polished like the day they were issued, or do you want them preserved keeping the patina of age but kept from tarnishing? I'd suggest using a product like Lee Valley's Conservators Wax or Renaissance Wax (which when applied gently cleans as well as leaving a protectant layer) and can be buffed to a dull sheen. This is something you can easily do yourself, as long as you take your time - and it will save a great deal of expense and stress, especially not having to worry about having the medals in someone else's care.

As for the mounting/glass; take the works down to a local self framing store (usually an art store of some kind - search around and you'll find something) and get them to measure the frame up for a new piece of glass. You could also get a new frame made up, if you were so inclined.
 
I recently mounted my buddy's grandfather's WWI medals. We got him a replacement ribbon for one of them and picked up a 12x12 shadow box from Michael's (the craft store). I got some nice maroon felt, covered a piece of foam core and I mounted a photo of his grandfather in uniform, the cap badge and collar dogs, his identity bracelet, and his 3 medals. It looked really good when we were done and it's an heirloom that will be passed on to his son. I second the use of the conservator's wax as a preservative.
 
Had a local service member redo my dad's medals. If you are close to a base there is usually someone the CANEX can recommend. I took mine to Michael's. It is a craft store that does framing. I had them mounted with his cap badge and picture. They used R.C.E.M.E. colours in the frame. If you go to Micheal's check online for sale they usually have 30 % off specials for custom framing
 
I'd recommend a self framing place (if available) due to the fact that they will offer the many similar options for mounting/framing the medals as a big box store like Michaels, but at a significantly more reasonable price.

It's been a few years since I had anything framed, but the last few items I did were all maps (one silk escape and two RAF sectionals) and all three maps done at a self framing/art supply store came to less money than Michaels wanted to frame one.

Being that the medals have already been mounted and have a double mat I'd consider just giving the medals a light cleaning and getting a new piece of glass cut. If you want to get more items mounted (like the mentioned cap badges, collar dogs, etc) then I'd go the shadow box route for those items, and have them separate. The only thing I would consider doing is maybe having an engraved plaque made up with your grandfathers name/rank/serial number/unit and place that under the medals.
 
Yeah I donated to the JUNO Beach Centre and had a plaque with my dads name, rank, unit, years of service etc on it placed there. They sent me a wooden copy which I mounted in the display with his medals , picture and cap badges
 
There is a local person who is ex military (RSM) here in Petawawa Ontario and he does a fantastic job with making shadowboxs and medal restoration/mounting. Ken Miles is his name and if you are interested send me your contact info in a pm.
Pic of my shadow box that he made .
https://imgur.com/ZB8cUr1

Leviathan024 said:
Hello gun nutz. I am looking to have my grandfathers war medals reconditioned and restored as the glass has been broken for some time. Do any of you have a recommendation for a company or user who specializes in such a thing? Do any of you have information on what each of these are and what they represent? Thanks for any information and if posted in the wrong place please move

ZB8cUr1.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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