From 1909 to the present day.
Medals of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse.
Vierdaagse Cross From 1977. Awards for 1 to 24 years.
Between 1909 and 1976, Koninklijke Begeer produced all NBVLO / KNBLO awards. Throughout this period the quality of the medals remained consistent. For example, the silver and gold (gilded) crosses were made of solid silver, while the separate crowns to be attached for second, sixth and eleventh years were quite intricate to manufacture.
As these medals were becoming more expensive to make, KNBLO looked for cheaper options. This led to the contract for the manufacture of all awards going to W. van Veluw of the town of Zeist near Utrecht. The new medals were generally awarded from 1977 although, as the existing stock of Begeer medals and ribbon numbers appear to have been used up first, it was about two years before all awards presented were of Veluw manufacture.
While the crosses made by Veluw are of the same dimensions and kept the same broad design, there are a number of differences. They are made of cheaper base metals, with minor changes in the style of lettering. All crosses have “W.v.Veluw B.V. Zeist” at the centre of the reverse.
Changes to the design of the suspension Crown.
From 1977, the crosses manufactured by Veluw for the second, sixth and eleventh years incorporated an integral crown, replacing the separate crown previously awarded for attachment to the top of the cross already held. To improve the look of the medal, the KNBLO approved proposals to modify the design to include a crown that is made separately and fixed to the medal by the manufacturers. This gives it a similar appearance to the older Koninklijke Begeer medals although, unlike the earlier medals, the crown is not awarded alone to be attached by the recipient – it is always awarded as part of a complete medal. These changes were introduced for higher awards (25, 40, 50 and 60 years) in 2007, and for other awards (2, 6 and 11 years) in 2010.
The design of the ribbon numbers also changed in 1977, as illustrated below.
Bronze Cross: first and second successful march.
From 1977, the bronze numbers attached to the ribbon for a third and fourth successful march were of a new design, with the number in bronze appearing on a glazed green enamel oval shield.
These are shown on the crosses below.
1977 to circa 1986.
This shows the cross for one and, with crown, two successful marches.
These were of a slightly darker bronze coloured metal than the current crosses.
From circa 1987.
These are the same design as before, but are now produced in a bright yellow metal.
As old stock was used up first, the move to the new brighter medals may not have taken place in a single year, although some were certainly being awarded from 1987.
Left: The cross for the first completed four day march.
Below: The cross, with crown, for two marches.
Below left shows the cross awarded until 2009 with a crown that is an integral part of the cross.
Below right shows the modified design awarded from 2010. The crown is made separately and fixed to the medal prior to award.
Ribbon numbers: From 1977, the numbers attached to the ribbon for a third and fourth march were of a new design, with the number in yellow metal appearing on a glazed green enamel oval shield.
Silver Cross: fifth and sixth successful march.
These are of white metal, rather than the silver used up to 1976.
Left: The cross for five marches awarded from 1977.
Below: The cross, with crown, for six marches.
Below left shows the cross awarded until 2009 with a crown that is an integral part of the cross.
Below right shows the modified design awarded from 2010. The crown is made separately and fixed to the medal prior to award.
Ribbon numbers: From 1977, the numbers attached to the ribbon for a seventh, eighth and ninth march were of a new design, with the number in white metal appearing on a glazed blue enamel oval shield.
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Gold Cross: tenth and eleventh successful march.
Suspension: All Crosses.
These are dealt with on a separate page:
Awards for 25 or more marches.
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