RMC-MP's RIBBONS - The Best of Medals and Ribbons in the Commonwealth

> RMC-MP'S RIBBONS :. The Best of Medals and Ribbons in the Commonwealth

.: WHY AN FAQ? :.
I get quite a few questions on a regular basis. While I do love to answer each email I get, I thought that I would save some of you the trouble of emailing me - by adding a short FAQ sections. If you have a question to ask that isn't here EMAIL ME, and I will add it.

.: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS :.

1. What is the Difference between Court- and Swing-mounted medals?

A1. This is probably the question I get the most. In answering it one must first understand how medals are worn. Generally, they are worn on the left breast, with the highest (from the order of precedence) closest to the middle. If there are more than five medals, then they must overlap.

Now - the difference between swing and court. Swing-mounted medals are certainly the most prevalent among older medal groups (let's say Second World War and prior). In this manner, the medals are hung around a broach or long piece of metal and attached to the Tunic. They are free-swinging, and as such are prone to knocking and chipping each other over time. That's why you'll see a lot of older medals in relatively poor condition.

Court-mounting seems to be the way most medal groups are mounted today. As you may have gathered, this isn't the way it was done in the past. Court-mounting used to be reserved for Officers and other members who would have to appear in front of Royalty. (Royal Court - hence - Court-mounted). In this manner, the medal ribbon is wrapped around a stiff board, and the medal itself is sewn or attached to the board. This prevents the medals from swinging and hitting each other, and, in my own humble opinion, presents a much cleaner and neater group overall. The group is then finished with a felt-backing and pins are added for pinning onto the tunic.

This is an example of a swing-mounted group I built for a collector.