Saw this posted. Think its a re-cast / repo

 

Tell me what you think

It's a copy.

 

Wrong reverse (obviously) and wrong type ribbon ring.

 

Not even close to an original.

 

 

Sorry for the bad picture.

 

Cheers

Herman

OMG! Has it come to this? Beyond the scarcity and that the status of each V.C. is tracked by the medals collecting fraternity; I cannot believe anyone would ask this question when the internet is full of photographs of original examples. Is a simple Google search that hard to master?

These were made by medal dealers in London (John Hayward and Christies, and perhaps others) as advertising gimmicks. They were attached to leather fobs for key rings. I carried one for years until the leather disintegrated.

I knew it was not right from the beginning. YES, I did a google search and saw all the "bad" things about it. And just like our CMOH, I know that your UK's VC is a rare thing to come across. But why NOT throw a picture up and see what replies come back. It's like fishing, you never know until you cast a line. People offer items all the time where they claim they are RARE and SCARCE. Doesn't make it true most of the time. This item is in the US and you never know where something is going to pop up.

 

I appreciate the replies. I really do. AND I got good information back. There are experts everywhere, AND they're willing to tell you they are experts without much prompting. The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked. The hunt goes on. Cheers!

Ed seems to have a problem with questions he deems silly or answered by a search. I think most of us don't mind getting the extra information these questions generate (except those that already know everything). I learn a lot here.

Here is a real VC awarded to Lieutenant William Alexander Kerr, 24th Bombay Native Infantry Date of Act of Bravery, 10th July, 1857. This was part of the John S. Laidacker collection.

"On the breaking out of a mutiny in the 27th Bombay Native Infantry in July, 1857, a party of the mutineers took up a position in the stronghold, or paga, near the town of Kolapore, and defended themselves to extremity. Lieutenant Kerr, of the Southern Mahratta Irregular Horse, took a prominent share of the attack on the position, and at the moment when its capture was of great public importance, he made a dash at one of the gateways, with some dismounted horsemen, and forced an entrance by breaking down the gate. The attack was completely successful, and the defenders were either killed, wounded, or captured, a result that may with perfect justice be attributed to Lieutenant Kerr's dashing and devoted bravery." (Letter from the Political Superintendent at Kolapore, to the Adjutant-General of the Army, dated 10th September, 1857. This is now in the Imperial War Museum, London.

I think if the original post had said, "Saw this posted. I know this is not an original VC, but what exactly is it?" it may have been received differently.

Sometimes posts are too short and vague to get a clear understanding of what the OP is asking, happens a lot on these forums.

I could tell it wasn't an original, but I wouldn't have known it was an advertising gimmick watch fob either.

On a side note - During my recent UK visit I did take in the Lord Ashcroft VC collection at the IWM and it is simply breathtaking.

I have had one of these fobs since the late 1970's. It was given to me by Gene Ursual. The back has a raised letter inscription

 

EUGENE G URSUAL

MEDALS & MILITARIA

P.O. BOX 8096

OTTAWA, CANADA

Tel. 521-9691