Questions About This PH

Greetings from Hull, MA,
This is my grandfather's Purple Heart. I wonder if someone can tell if the black marks are loss of gilding or surface debris. I have looked through a glass, but just can't disern what is going on. I hope it is dirt, but have been wary of trying anything more than wiping with a cloth.
Secondly, is it unusual for a Purple Heart to have the date and location of the wounds received? All the examples I have seen online have the name, or name and rank.
So glad to have found this site!
Thanks! View attachment 29652 View attachment 29653

 

I think the plating is coming off. The engraving could have been done by a jewler. Is it a sewn drape? Pinback? Clutchback? Rich A. in Pa.

 

Morning, Rich,
I was afraid the plating was coming off. Not sure about the drape. Could you tell me what to look for so as to determine style? I think he would have received it late Dec '43-early '44.
Thanks!
ADD: If done by a jeweler, would he have received a blank?
ADD: Found this great site: Purple Heart History
It is Navy Type I

 

What I mean is the ribbon sewn onto the pin mount.Or is it wrapped around a bar. If a jeweler did it he got a blank. Is it numbered? Rich A. in Pa.

 

Hi Rich,
The drape is wrapped around a bar. It is not numbered.

 

Sounds like a early one. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Thanks, Rich. I thought it might be.

 

Purple Hearts were originally engraved (at the government expense) from government sources. Later, (50's maybe), the member could have it done locally, and get reimbursed. Later, (60s), the option of engraving was eliminated as an option and if done, (yes, it was authorized), at the members expense. I have an unissued purple heart from WWII, but with a Korean War Era Request for engraving card. Historically, the PH could have been earned for "meritorious action" along with getting wounded. I've seen several engraved and the date was the date of the action. The awarding of the PH for Meritorious Action was somewhat uncommon.....

 

Thanks! Great info.