Description
A Second War Group to Colonel Maxime Arié; French Air Force - National Association of Reserve Officers of the Army Air Force; Order of the Legion of Honour, Commander, Fifth Republic (silver gilt and enamels, 61.6 mm x 83.5 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, on full-length neck ribbon with hook and eye closure, in its case of issue, marked "MONNAIE DE PARIS" on the inside lid, named to "COLONEL (H) ARIE 1989." in the medal bed); Order of the Legion of Honour, Officer, Fourth Republic (silver gilt and enamels, 41.5 mm x 57.2 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, rosette on the ribbon, dual prongs, chipping on the obverse centrepiece ring, in its box of issue); Order of the Legion of Honour, Knight, Third Republic (silver gilt and enamels, 39 mm x 54.5 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, dual prongs, extensive enamel loss and chipping, in its case of issue); National Order of Merit, Commander (silver gilt and blue enamels, 55.8 mm x 85 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, on full-length neck ribbon, in its box of issue, named to "L. CL. ARIE 1974." inside); Group of Eight: Military Medal, Type III (silver gilt and enamels, 27.7 mm x 48.5 mm inclusive of its trophy and arms suspension; National Order of Merit, Officer (gold-coloured gilt on metal with blue enamels, 40 mm x 62 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, rosette on the ribbon); War Cross 1939-1945, Type I (bronze, "1939" reverse, 38 mm, bronze palm and two stars on the ribbon); Combatant's Cross (bronze, 36 mm); Aeronautical Medal (bronze gilt and red enamels, 26.7 mm x 32.8 mm); Order of Military Merit, Officer (silver gilt, 33 mm, rosette on the ribbon); Colonial Medal, 1 Clasp - TUNISIE 1942-43 (silver, 26.6 mm x 43.7 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension); and Commemorative War Medal 1939-1945, 2 Clasps - FRANCE, TUNISIE 1942-43 (bronze, 27.8 mm x 38 mm), court-mounted in three rows, three clips on the reverse; Order of Social Merit, Knight (silver and blue enamels, 38.8 mm x 39.3 mm, in its box of issue); War Cross 1914-1918 with bronze star (bronze, 37.2 mm); War Cross 1939-1945, Type III, Two Crossed Flags Obverse (bronze, "1943" reverse, 36.5 mm, bronze palm on the ribbon); Wound Medal, Fullsize and Miniature (bronze gilt and red enamels, 33.5 mm x 35.7 mm and 12 mm x 13 mm respectvely, in its box of issue, maker marked "Ets M. LEBLANC S.A." on the bottom); Military Volunteers Service Cross (bronze, 33.8 mm x 40.5 mm, in its box of issue); Medal for Voluntary Military Service, 2nd Class (silver gilt, 32 mm, dual prongs); and Ministry of Commerce and Industry Honour Medal (silver, engraved "H. DESPLATS 1932" on the reverse, 27 mm, safety pin attachment). Miniatures: Order of the Legion of Honour, Commander, Fifth Republic (silver gilt and enamels, 14.7 mm x 21 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, rosette on the ribbon, enamel chipping); Order of the Legion of Honour, Officer, Fourth Republic (silver gilt and enamels, 14.2 mm x 22.5 mm of its wreath suspension, rosette on the ribbon); Order of Arts and Letters (silver and green enamels, 11.8 mm x 15.5 mm); Miniature Group of Nine: Military Medal, Type III (silver gilt and enamels, 9.7 mm x 19 mm inclusive of its trophy and arms suspension; National Order of Merit, Officer (silver gilt and blue enamels, 12.7 mm x 20.5 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, rosette on the ribbon); War Cross 1939-1945, Type I (bronze, "1939-1940" reverse, 14.2 mm, bronze palm and two stars on the ribbon); Combatant's Cross (bronze, 12.5 mm); Aeronautical Medal (bronze gilt and red enamels, 12.3 mm x 16 mm); Cross of Military Service Volunteers, Air, 3rd Class (bronze, 13 mm, bronze wings clasp on the ribbon); Order of Military Merit, Officer (silver gilt, 12 mm, rosette on the ribbon); Colonial Medal, 1 Clasp - TUNISIE 1942-43 (silver, 12 mm x 18.7 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension); and Commemorative War Medal 1939-1945, 2 Clasps - FRANCE, TUNISIE 1942-43 (bronze, 11.5 mm x 15.5 mm), on a suspension with swing bar pinback; and Military Volunteers Services Medal, Miniature (silver, 12 mm). Accompanied by an Air Force Dagger (measuring 408 mm in length with the scabbard on, 259 mm long nickle-plated blade, maker marked "P. LAFAYETTE PARIS / DÉPOSÉ" on the reverse ricasso, brass handle and crossguard with embedded orange synthetic grip, 370 mm in length, in black leather-wrapped scabbard with brass hardware, two leather dagger hanger straps with buckle adjustments, magnetic metal belt hooks on the ends, scabbard measuring 296 mm in length, light contact, some wear on the leather); an Air Force Dagger (measuring 409 mm in length with the scabbard on, 261 mm long nickle-plated blade, obverse marked with the Army of the Air insignia on the ricasso and engraved "Association Nationale des Officiers de Réserve de l'Armee de l'Air au Colonel Arié Maxime" (National Association of Reserve Officers of the Army Air Force, Colonel Maxime Arié), reverse marked "DUMAS / 142/79" on the ricasso and engraved "Novembre 1984 / No. 61" (November 1984 / No. 61) on the blade, brass-coloured metal cross guard and handle with embedded white synthetic grip, 376 mm in length, with gold-coloured bullion wire portepee on dual cord with length adjustment ring, in black leather-wrapped scabbard with brass-coloured metal hardware, scabbard measuring 294 mm in length, in its box of issue, light contact); Army of the Air Navigator Qualification Beret Badge (bronze gilt, 42 mm x 51.7 mm, intact lugs and safety pin attachment); Army of the Air Pilot's Cap Badge (gold bullion with gold sequins on black wool, reinforced frame, illustrating a star above spread wings, 31.5 mm x 79.2 mm, two clips on the reverse); Army of the Air Division Patch (multi-coloured embroidery, reinforced frame, 40.2 mm x 81.5 mm, light blue nylon backer); French Army of the Air Wings (silver gilt and enamels, maker marked "DRAGO PARIS" on the reverse, 13.2 mm x 56.3 mm, horizontal pinback); "TUNISIE" (Tunisia) Shoulder Flash (red embroidered lettering on navy blue wool, 25.5 mm x 76.8 mm); six Table Medals: Marshal Foch Military Medals for Valour and Discipline Table Medal (bronze, hallmarked and marked "BRONZE" on the edge, engraved "M. ARIE" on the reverse, 49.5 mm, in its case of issue); Marksmanship Table Medal (bronze, engraved "1er Prix P.M. 1957" on the reverse, 49.7 mm, in its case of issue, marked "Cap. Arie 1er P.M. 57" inside); Victory Restores the Right, 50th Anniversary of the War Cross 1915-1965 Table Medal (bronze, 49.5 mm x 72 mm, in its box of issue, named to "VICE PT CDT. ARIE." inside); 50th Anniversary of the Charles Monier Air Base 1917-1967 Table Medal (bronze, 50.8 mm, in its case of issue, maker marked "DRAGO PARIS NICE" on the inside lid); National Association of Reserve Officers of the Army Air Force, 50th Anniversary Table Medal (bronze, hallmarked, marked "BRONZE" and dated "1976" on the edge, 81 mm, in its box of issue); and Federal Union of Veteran Affairs Table Medal (bronze, engraved "Colonel M. ARIE / SAUSSET LES PINS / 1995" on the reverse, 51 mm, in its box of issue, marked "MONNAIE DE PARIS" on the lid); Vichy Stickpin (bronze gilt and enamels, marked "DECAT. ABREST-VICHY" and "OA.20.028" on the reverse, 9.7 mm x 13 mm, on a 38.5 mm pin); Free French Forces Pin (bronze gilt, 13.8 mm x 19.6 mm, vertical pinback); Army of the Air Stickpin (silver with bronze gilt, unmarked, 15.2 mm x 21.5 mm, without pin); three Army of the Air Stickpins (bronze gilt, marked "DORE OR FIN" on the reverse, 18.5 mm x 22.5 mm, on 37 mm pins); Army of the Air Pin (bronze gilt, marked "DORE OR FIN" on the reverse, 18.5 mm x 22 mm, horizontal pinback); two Army of the Air Insignia Pins (bronze gilt and enamels, 6 mm x 17.5 mm with buttonhole attachment, 6.7 mm x 18 mm with screwback); "N" Wings (die-stamped aluminum, 13 mm x 49.5 mm, missing attachment); four Eagle Insignia (bronze gilt, three with intact lugs and pins, the other with gilt loss and without lugs); ten Assorted Pins and Stickpins (various metals, maker marks and sizes); twelve Regimental Insignia Badges (gilt and enamels, various makers and sizes); four Leather Badge Fobs (without badges, various sizes); fourteen Miniature Medal Clasps (four TUNISIE, two FRANCE, four Bronze Palms, three Bronze Stars, one Army of the Air - various sizes); sixteen Miniature Rosettes (fourteen on buttonhole attachments, two without attachments, 6.5 mm each); nine Attachments (two Dual Prongs, four Pins, three Clips); and three Keychains: Centennial of General de Gaulle, pewter, 35 mm; Air Base 128 Metz-Frescaty, silvered metal, 35.5 mm; 4th Air Region, painted insignia encased in plastic, 33.5 mm x 39 mm; all on chains with key rings. Near extremely fine.