another VIRTUTI MILITARI

[Igor Ostapenko]

silver, without hallmarks, number 9715

[andrzejku98]

Hello Igor,

The Silver Cross of the Order Virtuti Militari Numbered: 9715 was awarded to Romanian Army Major Vasila Ionescu, Order dated 27th February 1922, I hope that the information is of some use and help.

Best wishes

Andrzejku

[Igor Ostapenko]

Hello Igor,

The Silver Cross of the Order Virtuti Militari Numbered: 9715 was awarded to Romanian Army Major Vasila Ionescu, Order dated 27th February 1922, I hope that the information is of some use and help.

Best wishes

Andrzejku

Hello Andrzejku,
This information really help me ,
Thank You !
Best Regards,
Igor

[Igor Ostapenko]

pictures from Museum of Romanian Army -

* VIRTUTI MILITARY 5 klasy of CONSTANTIN MALAMUCEANU
&
* medals bar with VM5 of MATEI VASILIU

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Hi Igor,

This cross bears all of the classic characteristics of a quality Jan Knedler product. They are beautifully made VM’s. Based on the available information that I’m aware of (and there isn’t much surviving information) the bulk of the official 5th class crosses were produced by the firm Krupski & Matulewicz by virtue of having provided the winning low bid for the contract. So with that mind this cross would be considered as a replacement copy.

However, it is known that the Polish government were not entirely pleased with the quality of the Krupski & Matulewicz crosses, thereby discovering the truth behind the age old rule that low bid is not always the best bid! They commissioned a special higher grade series of crosses from K&M that were intended for awarding to foreigners. Many of the surplus crosses from this order were evacuated out of Poland in 1939 to end up being distributed among soldiers of the Polish 2nd Corps fighting alongside the Allies. These crosses can be identified as having manually engraved serial numbers in the low 10,000 range

I have seen evidence suggesting the possibility that a small batch of crosses were also provided to the government by Knedler. This cross may very well be part of that order. But this is all speculation based on seeing other identical serial numbered Knedler crosses held up as being official issues.

Of course, these Knedler crosses could also have been ordered privately by the recipient. Such was the case for many Polish professional military personnel who would rather keep their official VM safely stored away and wear a replacement copy from one of several makers. But as this particular VM was issued to a foreigner, who was not subject to the same uniform display regulations as Poles, it raises the question of why would a foreigner would want a replacement cross - ?

As usual with the pre-WW2 Virtuti Militari, there are more questions than answers.

Regards,
Tony

[Igor Ostapenko]

some cross for foreigner - number 9773
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/polis...10/#post909014

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Igor, you posted Constantin Malamuceanu’s VM while I was writing my last reply. The VM in his grouping is also a Knedler. So this adds fuel to the fire that Knedler crosses may have been used as official issues. You can clearly see the same serial number font / style is used in both crosses.

Regards,
Tony

[Igor Ostapenko]

Hi Tony ,
Thank You !!!
But ...
See please picture of one Item , was sold In Poland

[Igor Ostapenko]

... same serial number font / style is used in both crosses.

Regards,
Tony

Tony ,
See please numbers together

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Hi again Igor, thanks for the added pictures. This is all supporting the comments made in my earlier post that:

“I have seen evidence suggesting the possibility that a small batch of crosses were also provided to the government by Knedler. This cross may very well be part of that order. But this is all speculation based on seeing other identical serial numbered Knedler crosses held up as being official issues.”

So based on what you have just posted the evidence grows stronger that Knedler may have supplied the government with VM’s!

Cheers,
Tony