671

Framed Grouping of Polish Regimental Crests and Medals, Attributed to a Participant in the Battle of

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:450.00 USD Estimated At:900.00 - 1,400.00 USD
Framed Grouping of Polish Regimental Crests and Medals, Attributed to a Participant in the Battle of
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Framed Grouping of Polish Regimental Crests and Medals, Attributed to a Participant in the Battle of Britain

Set into a hardwood frame with a gold painted plaster façade, the grouping consists of 27 items mounted on a maroon leather backing. 25 items are crests from a number of Polish Regiments, with 2 from the 85th Vilnius Rifles (in red and blue) and no other repetition. The other two are medals; one Medal for Long Service (bronze, 10 years, only awarded between 1938 and 1951) and a medal for Polish internees in Switzerland for Christmas 1942 (for Polish forces fighting in France who chose to escape to Switzerland rather than be captured by the Nazis when France surrendered). According to notes provided by the consignor, this set was the property of a Polish aviator in the Royal Air Force credited with five kills during the Battle of Britain. The largest foreign contributor of aviators to Britain's aerial defense, 145 of the 574 recognized foreign aviators in the Battle of Britain were Polish officers who managed to escape the Nazi/Russian invasion of Poland as well as veterans of the Battle of France. Some of the most experienced air-to-air combatants at the RAF's disposal, the Poles shot down over 200 Nazi planes in exchange for the loss of only 30 of their own flyers.

Manufucture: None
Model: None
BBL:
Stock:
Guage:
Finish:
Grips:
Serial Number:

The medals and crests are very good, with some chipped enamel and mild handling marks. One crest (an unidentified blue cross pattee) has had the upper arm broken and repaired. The medals are good, with the internal medal showing evidence of rough casting. The frame is good, with some chipping of the veneer (some but not all of the chipped pieces included).