Antique Woman's Relief Corps Medal 1883 Civil War WRC Wendell MPLS FCL Badge

Wendell, Minneapolis
Bronze-Tone Metal Woman's Relief Corps Medal
Late 19th to Early 20th Century

This official member medal was issued by the Woman's Relief Corps (WRC), the auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which was organized in 1883 to support Union veterans of the American Civil War. The piece features the characteristic Maltese cross pendant suspended from a tri-color ribbon, with the top bar bearing the organization's initials "F.C.L." standing for Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. The reverse of the cross is stamped with the maker's mark of Wendell, a prolific manufacturer of veteran society medals based in Minneapolis.

• Stamped "WENDELL MPLS" on the reverse of the cross pendant
• Maltese cross design with "Woman's Relief Corps 1883" and center relief depicting a nurse and soldier
• Top bar features "F.C.L." with scrolled decorative accents and pin-back attachment
• Approximate dimensions: 3" total length x 1.25" width

Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The tri-color silk ribbon shows significant fraying and structural loss at the top near the pin bar attachment. The bronze-tone metal components show a natural dark patina and surface oxidation consistent with age. Pin mechanism on the reverse is intact and functional. No structural breaks to the metal castings.