Found Stash of Polish Militaria Badges and need Help to Identify Please.

[cladhunter13]

I'm very happy to have found this forum. I just received a collection of what I believe to be Polish Militaria War Badges with dates ranging from 1914 to 1920. Before I post the pics...a bit of background from where I received them.

I was talking to an acquaintance of my mother-in-laws today. She lives on a older property in the town I live in and I was asking her permission to metal detect her property. Permission was granted. Yay me. While talking about the age of her property and home...she informed me that aprox 15 years ago they were renovating her bathroom and when they tore open one of the walls they found a stash of what she described as Polish Medals. She said they have just been sitting on a shelf in a box ever since. She tried to contact the old owner of the home but it was a dead end as the owner has long since passed and there were no relatives to be found. So...she shelved the items and had forgot about them until I asked her for permission to detect the land.

We live in Sault Ste Marie Ontario Canada. Our town has a long history dating back to the 1600's and beyond. We have a expansive ethnic culture here with people from many different areas around the globe. I know we have a fairly large Polish community here. Her home is in an older part of the city and it was actually an old farm house that has been built up around with other homes. Her home was the original farm house on the land but now her property is quite a bit smaller then it was back in the day. Her property is Aprox. 75' across and 360' deep. She thinks that her home dates back to the early 1900's late 1800's.

She told me that she was going to sell the items but thought that I would have a better chance selling the items then she would. I told her I would be happy to help her out if I can but I would need to learn what I can about the items to see if there is any value to them which in turn brought me here to this community. I would greatly appreciate any help and assistance offered on identifying exactly what she has. It appears to me that some of the items have been modified at one time or another. I think a few of them were pins at one time but have had a screw stem attached to them. I have taken a picture of the front and back of each item to help with the identification.

Thank you in advance again for any help. If there are any websites that would also be useful with learning more about the items...that information would be great as well.

Now...on with the show.




























I took a third pic of the next one as it appears that the nut may of been made out of something else as there is a nice pattern on the back shown in the third pic.

[jaxmon]

Beautiful stash
From the top:
1. 2nd Infantry Regiment of Polish Legions "For Freedom"
2. Commemorative badge of Interned Legionaires Witkowice 1918
3. Citizens' City Guard of Lvov "For Merit"
4. Lvov Defense Cross
5. Incomplete badge, part of Lithuanian-White Russian Front badge
6. Central Recording Office of the Polish Legions
7. Scout badge, Instructors in the Course Rzesna Polska
8. "Orleta" Honor badge for Liberation of Lvov
9. 2nd Polish Corps "Kaniow" Cross
10. 10th Company of the 5th Infantry Regiment
11. 1st Squadron of the Lvov Cavalry "Wilki" (Wolves)
12. Polish Military Association in Odessa District
13. 3rd Polish Legions Infantry Regiment
14. 1st Brigade of Polish Legions of Jozef Pilsudski "For Faithful Service"

[Scout]

Welcome to the forum. Quite a haul.

[cladhunter13]

Wow...Thank you very much for all the information. Over the past few days I was able to Identify all but 3 of the badges. They were #6 and #7. It is great to be able to have an identification on them.

I forgot to post one of the badges I have. Here it is:




Is there anyway with the pictures provided that you can give your opinion if they seem to be authentic. I know where the badges were found and have seen the house and property first hand. The age of the house definitely is there. I know that Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Canada has a fairly large Polish community base.

I see that the Screw cap for #9 is stamped B. PASZKOWSKI and #12 is stamped B. Szulecki Crawer. Would that be the names of the recipients of the badge? I know that it is possible that the screw caps have at one time been changed over the years. If it is possible that the stamps are the names of the recipients...I will go to the library and do some local research to see if I can find any info on the names.

Again...Thank you very much for the information. I greatly appreciate it.

[cladhunter13]

Here is my post of another forum that I frequent. It is actually a metal detecting forum but I was reaching out to the community there to see if anyone had any knowledge on the subject matter. The information is what was gathered by myself and a few other forum members from different forums that asked for help on. Here is what I learned. And your information helps to verify what I found. Thank you again.

Here is the information gathered on the items so far.


POLAND, MEDAL, 2ND LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE
Tombak silver plated, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 49,1 x 49,2 mm; screw
on reverse

One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $450 GBP.
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, 2ND LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE



POLAND, MEDAL, 1ST BRIGADE OF JOZEF PILSUDSKI LEGIONS 1917 (1916) - "FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE"
White metal silver plated and patinated, one part cut out construction with profile-stamped reverse,
diam.: 31,9 mm; screw on reverse with small nut.



POLAND, MEDAL, ORLETA (= YOUNG EAGLE) HONOUR BADGE 1919
Tombak silver plated and patinated, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 43,3 x
43,1 mm; screw on reverse.
One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $50 GBP
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, ORLETA (= YOUNG EAGLE) HONOUR BADGE 1919



POLAND, MEDAL, CITIZENS CITY GUARDS - I.TYPE (FOR MERITS) 1919
Bronze silver plated, one part construction, two tiny holes in the crown on top, size 44,8 x 45,7 mm;
screw on reverse



POLAND, MEDAL, LWOW DEFENSE CROSS - III.TYPE
Bronze Silver plated, one part construction, size 37,9 x 38,0 mm; screw on reverse
The Defense of Lwow and the War with the Ukraine 1918-1919.
On October 31st and November 1st, 1918 (almost 2 weeks before the WW I armistice) Ukrainian units (Sich Riflemen) of the rapidly disintegrating Austrian Army took advantage of the circumstances and occupied the predominately Polish City of Lwow in Galicia, procaiming it a part of a Socialist Ukrainian Republic. The citizens of Lwow, many of them children, fought off the Ukrainians. Polish army units arrived in a few days to assist the citizens. The fight lasted until November 22nd, when the Ukrainians were repelled. Many school children died in this fight and a cemetery in Lwow was created in their honor. The children are known as Orleta (Eaglets). The fighting against Ukrainian forces continued until July, 1919 when the Polish army finally pushed back the Ukrainians (who were weakened by fighting the Bolsheviks on another front) beyond the Zbrucz River.





I believe this to be part of a particular badge. POLAND, MEDAL, LITHUANIAN - WHITE RUSSIAN FRONT - III.TYPE
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, LITHUANIAN - WHITE RUSSIAN FRONT - III.TYPE
Silver, cross obverse black enamelled, no inscription on arms, superimposed large eagle with
enamelled shield (Lith. Cross), three parts construction, size 41,4 x 42,6 mm; screw on reverse, large nut.
The badge is a three part badge and if you look at the picture of the back of my eagle...you can see the two stems where I believe it was attached as the third part of this badge. The red enameling has either been worn off or polished away. I have provided a pic of the badge I believe it is part of for comparison.



POLAND, MEDAL, POLISH MILITARY ASSOCIATION IN THE ODESSA DISTRICT 1918 - I.TYPE
Bronze silver plated, partially patinated, small parts gilt, one part cut out construction, size 35,0 x 35,3
mm; screw on reverse,
The screw cap is marked: B. SZULECKI GRAWER WARSZAWA KRAKOWSKIE PRZEDM .21.



POLAND, MEDAL, ASSOCIATION OF KANIOWSKI AND ZELIGOWSKI FORMATIONS
Tombak silver plated and patinated, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 41,1 x
42,4 mm; screw on reverse.
The screw cap is marked: B PASZKOWSKI



POLAND, MEDAL, 3RD LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE "STAR OF HONOUR"
White metal patinated, two parts construction, size 41,5 x 42,3 mm; screw on reverse.
One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $50 GBP
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, 3RD LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE "STAR OF HONOUR".



POLAND, MEDAL, WITKOWICE 1918 - PRISONER OF WAR
Tombak silver plated, with dark patina, partially silver polished, one part construction, size 47,1 x 32,5 mm;
vertical pin on reverse.
On my example. The vertical pin had broken off and someone soldered a screw shaft onto it to be secured with a screw cap.



POLAND, MEDAL, 5TH INFANTRY REGIMENT - 10TH KOMP
Thin tombak sheet, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 33,6 x 58,9 mm; small
homemade screw on reverse.
One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $150 GBP
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, 5TH INFANTRY REGIMENT - 10TH KOMP



POLISH POLAND 1918 WOLF LWOW CAVALRY REGIMENT MEDAL BADGE
silver plated over base metal 32mm by 42mm

Here are the last three badges that need to be identified. The third badge I accidentally left off the original post so this is the first time viewing it:

[cladhunter13]

Here is the information gathered on the items so far. The information you provided helps to verify what I have found. It is great that you were also able to Identify two of the last three that I did not find. Now I just hope that the final piece can be put in play. I can not thank you enough.


POLAND, MEDAL, 2ND LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE
Tombak silver plated, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 49,1 x 49,2 mm; screw
on reverse

One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $450 GBP.
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, 2ND LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE



POLAND, MEDAL, 1ST BRIGADE OF JOZEF PILSUDSKI LEGIONS 1917 (1916) - "FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE"
White metal silver plated and patinated, one part cut out construction with profile-stamped reverse,
diam.: 31,9 mm; screw on reverse with small nut.



POLAND, MEDAL, ORLETA (= YOUNG EAGLE) HONOUR BADGE 1919
Tombak silver plated and patinated, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 43,3 x
43,1 mm; screw on reverse.
One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $50 GBP
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, ORLETA (= YOUNG EAGLE) HONOUR BADGE 1919



POLAND, MEDAL, CITIZENS CITY GUARDS - I.TYPE (FOR MERITS) 1919
Bronze silver plated, one part construction, two tiny holes in the crown on top, size 44,8 x 45,7 mm;
screw on reverse



POLAND, MEDAL, LWOW DEFENSE CROSS - III.TYPE
Bronze Silver plated, one part construction, size 37,9 x 38,0 mm; screw on reverse
The Defense of Lwow and the War with the Ukraine 1918-1919.
On October 31st and November 1st, 1918 (almost 2 weeks before the WW I armistice) Ukrainian units (Sich Riflemen) of the rapidly disintegrating Austrian Army took advantage of the circumstances and occupied the predominately Polish City of Lwow in Galicia, procaiming it a part of a Socialist Ukrainian Republic. The citizens of Lwow, many of them children, fought off the Ukrainians. Polish army units arrived in a few days to assist the citizens. The fight lasted until November 22nd, when the Ukrainians were repelled. Many school children died in this fight and a cemetery in Lwow was created in their honor. The children are known as Orleta (Eaglets). The fighting against Ukrainian forces continued until July, 1919 when the Polish army finally pushed back the Ukrainians (who were weakened by fighting the Bolsheviks on another front) beyond the Zbrucz River.





I believe this to be part of a particular badge. POLAND, MEDAL, LITHUANIAN - WHITE RUSSIAN FRONT - III.TYPE
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, LITHUANIAN - WHITE RUSSIAN FRONT - III.TYPE
Silver, cross obverse black enamelled, no inscription on arms, superimposed large eagle with
enamelled shield (Lith. Cross), three parts construction, size 41,4 x 42,6 mm; screw on reverse, large nut.
The badge is a three part badge and if you look at the picture of the back of my eagle...you can see the two stems where I believe it was attached as the third part of this badge. The red enameling has either been worn off or polished away. I have provided a pic of the badge I believe it is part of for comparison.



POLAND, MEDAL, POLISH MILITARY ASSOCIATION IN THE ODESSA DISTRICT 1918 - I.TYPE
Bronze silver plated, partially patinated, small parts gilt, one part cut out construction, size 35,0 x 35,3
mm; screw on reverse,
The screw cap is marked: B. SZULECKI GRAWER WARSZAWA KRAKOWSKIE PRZEDM .21.



POLAND, MEDAL, ASSOCIATION OF KANIOWSKI AND ZELIGOWSKI FORMATIONS
Tombak silver plated and patinated, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 41,1 x
42,4 mm; screw on reverse.
The screw cap is marked: B PASZKOWSKI



POLAND, MEDAL, 3RD LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE "STAR OF HONOUR"
White metal patinated, two parts construction, size 41,5 x 42,3 mm; screw on reverse.
One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $50 GBP
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, 3RD LEGION INFANTRY REGIMENT - I.TYPE "STAR OF HONOUR".



POLAND, MEDAL, WITKOWICE 1918 - PRISONER OF WAR
Tombak silver plated, with dark patina, partially silver polished, one part construction, size 47,1 x 32,5 mm;
vertical pin on reverse.
On my example. The vertical pin had broken off and someone soldered a screw shaft onto it to be secured with a screw cap.



POLAND, MEDAL, 5TH INFANTRY REGIMENT - 10TH KOMP
Thin tombak sheet, one part construction with profile-stamped reverse, size 33,6 x 58,9 mm; small
homemade screw on reverse.
One like this sold at auction on Sept 26, 2005 for $150 GBP
Link: POLAND, MEDAL, 5TH INFANTRY REGIMENT - 10TH KOMP



POLISH POLAND 1918 WOLF LWOW CAVALRY REGIMENT MEDAL BADGE
silver plated over base metal 32mm by 42mm

Here are the last three badges that need to be identified. The third badge I accidentally left off the original post so this is the first time viewing it:

[jaxmon]

You're welcome...
I am not sure about ## 2, 6, 11, 13. Rest of them appear to be genuine items. When you show badges for examination it's important to show their reverses without spinners. That way it's easier to determine their authenticity.

Names on the spinners belong to makers of those badges and in your case correspond properly to badges

The last one you showed, is commemorative badge of the Interned Legionaries in camp Szczypiorno, hence "For Szczypiorno". Also iffy.

[cladhunter13]

Thank you very much. I will remember that in the future about removing the spinners from the back when taking photos. Thank you as well for the info on the names on the spinners and the final ID.

I will go tomorrow to my local Legion and see if there is a local Polish branch or at least someone local who may know about the items.

Now I just need to see if I can get the questionable ones verified one way or the other. Then to find the best venue to be sure the badges get to someone who will cherish them and properly display them while at the same time...realizing a fair value. IS there any current auctions or any other means that you could recommend that would get the badges to the correct market for sale? I wish the owner would donate them to either our local museum or maybe even the legion for display but I do understand why she feels she has no choice but to try and sell them. Not to mention they have been sitting in her closet for over the last 15 years in a Tupperware container.

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for sharing this incredible find. As a frequent visitor of the Third Reich section of the forum it’s nice to be reminded that that not all discoveries of militaria hoards have swastikas on the items. There are some real gems in there. I agree with Simon’s list of questionable badges that require further study. Authenticating them will take some time and effort as some of the questionable ones are actually badges that are quite rare in their own right, and genuine examples are few and far between. I would encourage the owner to remain patient in order to realize the best return.

As far as selling them, the market in Poland is the place to go. The DESA auction house in Krakow Poland may be a worthwhile consideration. They hold popular public auctions with international exposure every few months, and their offerings generally see good results. Listing on Allegro (“Polish ebay”) is another option. Both avenues will require some knowledge of Polish or the assistance of someone who understands the language.

Donating to a museum may seem like a noble gesture, but I have heard too many unsettling stories about what has happened to valuables once donated. Not all of them make it on display, and those that do are not always permanent. Once out of sight they languish in storage rooms, or worse . . . Of course, it’s ultimately the owner’s decision.

Thanks again for sharing these with us.

Regards,
Tony

[cladhunter13]

Thank you very much for all the help the forum members here have given me. It is always great to see a forum community who accepts new members and helps them with questions they have. It is very much appreciated.

I will talk with the owner of the badges. I'm not sure how dire her financial situation is and if I would have time to send them off to such an auction. If I send them to an auction such as the one you have mentioned above. How would you recommend contacting the auction house to make an inquiry as to whether or not they would be interested in submitting the items for auction? Any info you may be able to supply would be great.

Again...Thank you all for the help.