United States Purple Heart Medal named and numbered in blue cardboard box. Metal Arts version Purple Heart with Metal Arts style of bent-slot-wrap broach pin system (this style pin attachment system was used on the 1938 Metal Arts Purple Hearts; the construction is interesting and looks fairly labor intensive. The slot is bent over at a 45-degree angle, the ribbon passes through the slot and is held down by two bent over tabs, which extend about 1/8 inch under the ribbon, the ribbon is also tacked down with white thread below the broach). 1938 Metal Arts contract Purple Hearts are not seen very often and are a bit hard-to-find. Also, has the proper Metal Arts Co. Inc Quartermaster Depot cardboard blue box. Box heavily worn with portion of front cardboard box missing. Named on back of medal to: Rudolph C. Hansen. Several copies of research papers included: WW1, Company M, 129th Infantry, 33rd Infantry Division, US Army (Sept 1917 – Dec 1919), copy of Departure Card, copy of Return Voyage card, copy of Draft Registration Card, and other information. 1938 contract purple heart that was issued for WW1 wounds. Also, numbered on edge of purple heart with 5-digit number: 72666. Worn condition.

Additional Notes: Metal Arts had a contract from August 1939 and produced 7,000 Purple Hearts numbered from 68,000 through 75,000. Such a small contract explains why we do not see them very often. Most of these seem to be mainly for later WW1 awards, however, it may be possible that WW2 soldiers also received them early in the war.

The Purple Heart medal is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April of 1917, has been wounded or killed. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members.

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