Vierdaagse Cross, miniature versions

These are not presented to walkers, but can be bought separately at the marches, with current versions available from Praefero, the official Vierdaagse supplier.  Unlike the full size crosses, purchase is not restricted to recipients. Praefero's wesite is at: 

Miniature crosses have been made in two sizes:

Width: 15 mm

Width: 21 mm

Both types are covered in turn below.

Width: 15 mm

Width: just over 15 mm at the widest point of the cross.

These were manufactured by Koninklijke Begeer until this firm ceased to produce items for the KNBLO in 1976.

The reverse of these crosses is either plain, or bear the maker’s stamp ‘Kon Begeer Voorschoten’.  The silver and gilt versions are sometimes hallmarked.

Where ribbon numbers appear on the ribbon, these are the same design as worn on the full size crosses.

Before 1959

These bear the initials ‘NBVLO’ and therefore pre-date the grant of the title ‘Royal’ (Koninklijk) that led to new initials on the arms of the cross from 1959.

These examples are, from left to right, for one, two, five, six and ten marches.  

1959 – 1976

These bear the initials ‘KNBLO’, the initials introduced in 1959.

These examples were made by Koninklijke Begeer up until 1976.  They are, from left to right, for one, two, six and eleven marches

From 1977

These examples were made by Van Wielik until 2018. They are, from left to right, for one, two, five, six, ten and eleven marches

Although W.v.Veluw have made Vierdaagse medals since 1977, they have not produced any of the smaller 15mm type.

Crosses of this size were manufactured and sold in recent years by the firm Van Wielik of the Hague, before they closed in June 2018, after trading for nearly 177 years. Van Wielik's crosses for one, two, five, six, ten and eleven marches are shown above.

Width: 21 mm

Width: just over 21 mm at the widest point of the cross.

The principal manufacturer of these medals has been the firm who produce the full size crosses.  This was Koninklijk Begeer prior to 1977 and, since then, W. van Veluw.

Up to 1958

These bear the initials ‘NBVLO’, and therefore pre-date the grant of the title ‘Royal’ (Koninklijke) in 1958.  From 1959 the initials on the medal were changed to reflect the new title.

These examples were made by Begeer and are, from left to right, for one, two, five, six and eleven marches.

All are made of the same materials as the full size crosses.  The five and six year crosses and the gilded eleven year cross are all silver.  This is confirmed by the dagger hallmark [†] at the very top of the upper arm on the obverse of each of these crosses.

Ribbon numbers for further marches are a smaller version of those worn on the full size crosses.

The wreathed figure on the gilded cross indicates 27 marches.  It measures 13mm by 9mm and is of hallmarked silver gilt.  Wreathes of this size were also worn on ribbon bars, mounted to the Vierdaagse ribbon.

Prior to 1940 Van Wielik of The Hague also produced and sold medals of the 21mm size.

A newspaper advertisement placed by Van Wielik dating from about 1930.

It advertises a miniature cross for two guilders, or about 90 euro cents.

The medal is virtually identical to the Begeer version, although the arms of the cross are slightly narrower when they meet the central shield.

The reverse is plain with no makers name or mark.

1959 – 1976

These bear the letters ‘KNBLO’, the initials introduced in 1959 to reflect the new 'Koninklijke' title.

These examples made by Koninklijk Begeer and are, from left to right, for two, five and eleven marches.  Again, the five and gilded eleven year cross are silver.  The dagger hallmark appears on the back of the five year cross and is on the very top of the upper arm of the eleven year cross.

1977 to date

For 1977 onward, the firm of Veluw of Zeist began to produce both the full size and the 21mm wide miniature versions of the medal.  The design changes made to the full size medals were reflected in the miniatures, including being made of base metal (e.g. not silver).  All have “W.v.Veluw B.V. Zeist” at the centre of the reverse. 

Ribbon numbers for further marches are similar to those worn on the full size crosses, although in plain yellow or white metal, without enamel.

These crosses are for two and eleven marches.

The darker bronze and gold crosses were awarded for the first ten years or so after 1977 and reflect the metal colour of the earlier full size awards.

These crosses cover all awards from one to eleven years

The brighter bronze and gold crosses shown have been produced since the mid 1980's.  The silver crosses have been consistent since 1976.

The ribbon changed in the late 1990s from the narrower central green stripes (shown above on the bronze and silver crosses), to broader stripes (shown on both gold crosses).  This was done for ease of manufacture rather than to reflect any change in the full size ribbon.

Each of these miniature crosses was introduced when the full size medals were first awarded.

The reverse side is common for all these medals.

These crosses are for forty, fifty and sixty marches.

Separate suspension bars are sold at the KNBLO shop at the Marches.  Measuring 21mm by 16mm, they are designed to fit the ribbon width of these miniature medals.  They are available in gilt colour (bronze / gold awards) and white metal.

Since 2010, full-size crosses have been awarded with the crown made separately and fixed to the medal prior to award.

In 2012 Veluw introduced a miniature version of these for 11, 40, 50 and 60 successful marches, with medals for years 2 and 6 available by 2014. The 70 year medal was on sale in 2018.

These are the current crosses are for eleven and seventy marches.