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Original Order of Leopold (Leopoldsorde / Ordre de Léopold) (Class of Knight – Rangorde v.d. Ridder) with Etui! This is the post-1952 design with bilungual motto.

The Order of Leopold is the oldest and highest national order of Belgium, established on 11 July 1832 by King Leopold I. It remains one of the three principal Belgian orders of knighthood and is awarded by Royal Decree. It recognizes exceptional service to the Belgian state, whether in military, civil, or maritime contexts.

Overview & Structure

The order is divided into three main divisions:

• Civil Division – for civilian merit

• Military Division – for armed forces (with crossed swords)

• Maritime Division – for merchant navy (with anchors)

It follows a five-class system, inspired by French honors:

1. Grand Cordon

2. Grand Officer

3. Commander

4. Officer

5. Knight

Historical Background

Following Belgian independence in 1830, the newly formed nation required a national honors system. King Leopold I established the order not only for military merit, but for all forms of service to the Kingdom.

The official motto: “L’Union fait la Force / Eendracht maakt Macht” (Unity Makes Strength)

The design was approved shortly after independence and reflects strong European chivalric traditions.

Design & Insignia

Badge:

• White-enameled Maltese cross

• Silver (Knight) or gold (higher classes)

• Green enamel laurel and oak wreath between the arms

• Central medallion:

  • Obverse: Belgian lion on black enamel

  • Reverse: Monogram “LR” (Leopoldus Rex)

• Red enamel ring with bilingual motto

• Topped by a royal crown

• May include crossed swords (military) or anchors (maritime)

Ribbon

• Standard color: Purple

Special distinctions (rare variants):

• ⚔️ Crossed swords – wartime award

• ⭐ Gold or silver stars – mentioned in dispatches or merit

• 🌿 Palms – military wartime distinction

• Gold borders or stripes – exceptional acts of valor

Condition: As seen in the images.

A prestigious and historically significant Belgian order, highly sought after by collectors of royal, military, and national honors.

Original Belgian Civilian Disobedience Medal 1940–1945 (Médaille du Réfractaire / Werkweigeraarsmedaille). This medal with green-white ribbon was awarded to civilians who for refused to work for the German occupiers.

The Civilian Disobedience Medal 1940–1945 is a Belgian war service decoration established by Royal Decree on 12 February 1951. It was awarded to Belgian civilians who refused to support the German war effort during the Second World War. This medal honors acts of civil resistance, defiance, and moral courage carried out under occupation.

Award Criteria

The medal was awarded to Belgian citizens who:

• Refused to serve in German armed forces

• Refused to work for the German occupiers

• Refused to return to Germany after forced labour leave

It recognizes non-violent resistance and personal risk taken in opposition to the occupier.

Design & Characteristics

• Material: Bronze

• Diameter: approx. 37 mm

Obverse:

• Torso of a civilian man with arms crossed

• Head turned away in defiance, symbolizing resistance

• Designed by J. Witterwulghe (marked on the front of the medal)

Reverse:

• Latin inscription: “FORSAN VICTI NUNQUAM SERVI” (“Perhaps defeated, but never slaves”)

• Upper edge: “1940–1945”

Ribbon Variants

• Base color: Green silk moiré

• Two longitudinal stripes (3 mm wide), positioned near the edges

Condition: As seen in the images.

A powerful and meaningful Belgian WWII decoration, highly valued for its recognition of civil courage and resistance without weapons.

Original Belgian Military Decoration for Long Service (Militair Ereteken voor Dienstanciënniteit / Décoration Militaire). The Military Decoration (Militair Ereteken) is an official Belgian military award established by Royal Decree on 22 December 1873. It is awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel and exists in two distinct categories, each recognizing different forms of service.

Informative: Belgian Military Decoration comes in two versions:

1. Long Service (Dienstanciënniteit)

• Awarded to NCOs and enlisted personnel

• Second Class: after 10 years of service

• First Class: after an additional 5 years

• Not awarded to officers (who instead receive the Military Cross)

2. Exceptional Service / Gallantry (Buitengewone Dienst)

• Awarded for acts of courage, devotion, or distinguished service

• Can be granted for a single notable act

• Also awarded to naval personnel after 20 years of service at sea

• May exceptionally be awarded in First Class

• Can be awarded to foreign non-commissioned personnel

All awards are granted by Royal Decree and officially published in the Belgian State Gazette.

Design & Characteristics

The decoration is identical across both categories and classes:

• Form: Cross pattée with four rays between each arm, surmounted by a royal crown

• Obverse: Belgian lion with the motto:

  • “L’Union fait la Force” (pre-1952)

  • “L’Union fait la Force – Eendracht maakt macht” (post-1952)

• Reverse:

  • Pre-1952: Royal monogram (Leopold II, Albert I, or Leopold III) with “Armée Mérite Ancienneté”

  • Post-1952: Belgian lion only

Ribbon Variants

The two categories are distinguished by their ribbons:

• Long Service:
  17 narrow vertical stripes in Belgian national colors (red, yellow, black), with red on the outer edges

• Exceptional Service / Gallantry:
  Red ribbon with Belgian tricolor edges (red outermost)

Additional distinctions:

• First Class: indicated by a chevron on the ribbon

• Wartime award (Article 4): may include a silver palm with royal monogram

Order of Precedence & Wear

• Worn after the decorations of the National Orders

• Takes precedence over the Military Cross (as it was established earlier)

• If both categories are awarded, the gallantry version takes precedence

• NCOs promoted to officer rank may continue to wear the decoration until eligible for the Military Cross

A highly collectible and historically important Belgian decoration, valued for both its longevity and its dual recognition of service and bravery.

Note: Price Per Piece! The one with the wrong ribbon (on the right, will be discounted to 10 EUR instead of 15 EUR – if you want this one, add it in the purchase note)

Original Belgian Armed Resistance Medal 1940–1945 (“Medaille van de Gewapende Weerstand”) (Médaille de la Résistance Armée 1940–1945). The Armed Resistance Medal 1940–1945 was a Belgian wartime decoration established by decree of the Prince Regent on 16 February 1946. It was awarded to members of the Belgian Resistance and intelligence agents who took part in armed operations in occupied territory during the Second World War.

The medal could be awarded posthumously, honoring those who lost their lives in the struggle against occupation.

Design & Characteristics

The decoration is a 39 mm round bronze medal, rich in symbolic detail.

Obverse:
A raised image of the left-profile torso of a woman, her gaze turned to the right, her right fist clenched — a powerful symbol of defiance against the will of the occupier.

Reverse:
The inscription: “1940” – “RESISTERE” – “1945” arranged in three lines and surrounded by a laurel wreath running along the full rim of the medal. The Latin word Resistere (“to resist”) emphasizes the spirit of armed resistance.

Ribbon & Symbolism

The medal is suspended from a ring passing through a lateral barrel-shaped suspension at the top. The ribbon colors carry strong symbolic meaning:

• Green – Hope for liberation

• Red – Blood shed by resistance fighters

• Black – The dark days of occupation and the clandestine nature of the resistance

A highly significant and historically charged decoration, essential for collectors of Belgian WWII militaria and resistance memorabilia.