Virtuti Militari Thread

[Krakow1]

Thanks Tony.

I have been away on vacation.

The literature concerning early issue VM's is very vague.

All of the VM's awarded prior to 1809 should have "Pogon " on reverse.
All VM's awarded in 1809-1813 should have "Rex at Patria " on reverse.
I say should because that was not always the case.
All VM's awarded for 1831 Uprising, especially ones worn by exiled fighters in France should have "Pogon " on reverse.
There were about 2,540 Crosses awarded while Duchy of Warsaw existed.
There were about 3,850 Crosses awarded to 1831 Uprising fighters.

[deco06]

Hello Itakdalej,

Thank you for explanation. But what about the ones with "Rex and Patria 1831" on reverse ?

Best regards, Georges.

[Krakow1]

In December 1831 Tsar Nicholas I wanted to punish and humiliate the Poles. So he came out with a version of the order, only awarded to russians who fought the " Polish Rebels'.
This Cross version has the 1831 date and " Rex at Patria" on obverse.
First made in occupied Warsaw, later in russia.
If You search this forum for "Gold Virtuti Militari" I had shown one used to belonging to my Brother.

Regards,

[deco06]

Thank you very much for your quick answer.

Best regards, Georges.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

I found the following photographs of recipients of the Virtuti Militari on the Internet and thought that I would share them with you:



Kapitan sap. Zbigniew Antonowicz VM Silver Cross Nr: 5345



Pullkownik sap. Artur Gorski VM Silver Cross Nr: 5005



Podpulkownik sap. Stanislaw Magnuszewski VM Silver Cross Nr: 6775



Pulkownik sap. Stanislaw Magnuszewski VM Silver Cross Nr: 6775 KNzM



Major Henryk Dobrzanski VM Silver Cross Nr: 3822



General Dyw. Wladyslaw Anders VM Silver Cross Nr: 2953, VM Gold Cross Nr: 19, VM Knights Cross Nr: 4, VM Commanders Cross Nr: 21

Now for two photographs taken at the Pilsudski Museum in London back in the early 1980's when invited to attend the Museum by a fellow work colleague Juliusz Englert.



General Brygady Jozef Smolenski VM Silver Cross Nr: 2727



General Brygady Marian Boleslawicz VM Silver Cross Nr: 7501



Pulkownik dypl. Stanislaw Sosabowski VM Silver Cross Nr: 12236

Thats all for now

Best wishes

Andrzej

(p.s. click the photographs to enlarge in anew window)

[jaxmon]

Gents,
Could you shed more light on this 3rd Class Virtuti Militari Order. What era is it from, possible manufacturer?
Thanks,
Simon

Regarding cross in post #74

I found out it is a Panasiuk made cross. Modern version.

[jaxmon]

Virtuti Militari cross, 5th class "wtornik", bearing characteristics of Gustaw Sosnowski manufacture.

[jaxmon]

Virtuti Mlliltari cross 5th class, Palestine manufacture

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Hi Simon, great looking example there. There is some debate as to whether these originated in Palestine or possibly are products of the Cairo Egypt based operation of Puzant Minassian, maker of the Officer's Legion badge and also the 15th Poznański Lancer Regiment. Another mystery that needs solving.

Regards,
Tony

[jaxmon]

Hi Simon, great looking example there. There is some debate as to whether these originated in Palestine or possibly are products of the Cairo Egypt based operation of Puzant Minassian, maker of the Officer's Legion badge and also the 15th Poznański Lancer Regiment. Another mystery that needs solving.

Regards,
Tony

I followed Antykwariat Numizmatyczny's of Warszawa opinion. Even with all of its imperfections, it is a beautiful cross
Toni, what do you think about G. Sosnowski "wtornik"?