Merit Badges of Imperial Military Reservist Association/帝国在郷軍人會有功章

1st type badge.

Badge of first type was introduced in 1925. Original line drawings and description.

 

1st variation of 1st type "white guard".





Reverse

帝国在郷軍人會 - Imperial Military Reservist Association

有功章 - Merit Badge

Original case.

 

The only known (for today) manufacturer of 1st variation was Suya Shoten https://asiamedals.info/threads/badges-and-watch-fobs-made-by-suya-shoten.18310

Sometimes practically all gild is lost.

Case.

 

2nd variation of 1st type "blue guard".

1st variation vs. 2nd variation.

1st type 2nd variation badge.

Original case.

 

The only known (for today) manufacturer of 2nd variation was Suzuki workshop.



Original case.



Label.

 

Unfotunately not all cases for badges of 2nd variation bear workshop labels.

Another example /workshop label is missing but the stamp is identical to the Suzuki-made badges/.

Case.

 

Another "blue guard" specimen.

 

Сautionary tale of transformation.

Very same badge a little bit later.
For some reason seller forgot to mention this "transformation".
Apparantly because of natural shyness.

 

2nd type badge.

Second type was introduced in 1930.

 

1st variation of 2nd type "narrow pin".



Original case.



Original outer cardboard case.

 

The gild is easily weared off.

 

Another example of cased badge.

 

At least three different stamps is known.

 

2nd variation of 2nd type "broad pin".



Such badges usually found in cases with "ersatz" lodgement.



Case doesn't have lock.

Another example of 2nd variation "broad pin".

 

Document for 2nd type badges.

Awarded to First Lieutenant Shimomura Ichirō/下村一郎 on May 25, 1931.

 

1st type vs. 2nd type

 

Variation of case for the 2nd variation of 2nd type "broad pin" badge.

Case dimentions 85 х 55 х 25 mm.

Badge size 35 х 27 mm.
Thickness 3 mm.