posted 04-08-2004 09:44 PM            

The Ottoman WW1 Service Medal depicted, commonly referred to as the Ottoman "Gallipoli" medal after that famous battle but also awarded for service in other theaters of WW1 such as in Galicia, Caucasus, Iraq and Egypt, was made in three locations - Istanbul, Turkey; Berlin, Germany; and London, England. I would appreciate any assistance finding out which country utilized the "935" hallmarks in two places on the back of this particular silver medal.

Thank you.

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EMIP

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posted 04-09-2004 12:42 AM            

The ordinary issues of the medal were, it seems, for other ranks in silvered brass and for officers in white metal. The white metal examples often have the mark of an unidentified maker "BB&Co", probably German. However, BB&Co apparently also made examples in silver.

But in addition: "There are a huge variety of German made private purchase examples, which were manufactured by virtually every German court jeweler from the World War I era through the 3rd Reich period. Private purchase badges can be found in silver, white metal, silvered bronze, bronze, and even aluminum, with a variety of pin attachments, screw back attachments, or rings at the top for wear on a medal bar. A few examples of a much larger size are known, almost certainly private purchase pieces."

Personally I doubt your medal was made in England where I would expect the silver content to have been sterling, i.e., 925, or, at a pinch, 950. I've never come across 935 in an English context, but that may well be only my ignorance.