GAR badge/medal?

[TheGenZFederal]

Hello again,

I recently saw this at the Relics Antique mall in Springfield Missouri, and purchased it for $20. The medal's front art work says "Grand Army of the Republic Veteran 1861-1865". There is no name or ribbon. Any other information on what this is would be greatly appreciated.

 

[R. Porter]

Pictures?

 

[JOHN42768]

If it is like your avatar it is star shaped and says "Grand Army Of The Republic 1861 Veteran 1866" , but not 1865. It sounds like the membership badge. Post photos.

 

[TheGenZFederal]

Pictures?

Sorry about that! It failed to send the first time for some reason.

 

[John Grant]

I'd say it's part of a National Encampment badge or similar, similar to the one seen here.

It's not a member badge.

 

[MRB1863]

Looks like part of a reunion badge. Perhaps location unit or year was printed on an attached ribbon.

 

[UCVRelics]

Sorry about that! It failed to send the first time for some reason.

View attachment 558972

What you have is what we call the drop. This style was used on several different ribbons as the insert of the frame could be made for the different ribbons or events. Yours is from the ribbon below.

 

[TheGenZFederal]

What you have is what we call the drop. This style was used on several different ribbons as the insert of the frame could be made for the different ribbons or events. Yours is from the ribbon below.

View attachment 559025

So it's a regimental reunion medallion/badge missing the Ribbon. Very interesting, I'm assuming these were widely used?

 

[JOHN42768]

So it's a regimental reunion medallion/badge missing the Ribbon. Very interesting, I'm assuming these were widely used?

If you wish to look at many examples of badge see: https://civilwarbadges.com/

 

[grossenr]

Yes, that is a drop to a reunion badge depicting a G.A.R. Veterans Membership badge. You will run across this colorful drop on G.A.R. reunion badges around the country. It's a celluloid that I suspect was very economical for the makers to produce. I have seen several nice Eaton County, Michigan reunion badges sold recently on eBay. Also FYI, there is an excellent museum in Eaton Rapids (in Eaton County), Michigan's Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall and Museum (www.garmuseum.com). It occupies the site of the defunct G.A.R. Post 111. They have an impressive collection of Union veteran artifacts.