DDR My first DDR ribbon "bars"

[Hauptmann]

Hi all,

I theenk I did good the other day. I "finally" managed to get some DDR ribbon "bars". Oh, I've had a number of single ribbons... but no bars. They "always" seem to go too high. Except on three occassions where I lost track of time and three big bars (over a period of a month) went for around the $15-$25 range!

But whenever I keep an eye on them... up they go like a rocket.

These are, I'm sure, nothing impressive... but to me they are GOLD as they are the "first".

[attachmentid=43899]

No idea what the medal is... going to post that on the Soviet forum and see what we can see.

Anyhow got the whole group for the kingly sum of... are you ready?

No, really, are you sitting down?

Don't want you to like keel over or anything.

$1.25 plus shipping!

I think I'll fall over for the rest of you! I simply could not believe my luck. And at this point even if they turn out to be put togethers... which for little one's like this I kinda doubt... I don't care! Me like dem!

Dan

[Guest Rick Research]

Several of those appear to be upside down to my weary bleary 1 AM eyes.

Go to Lukasz Gaszewski's WONDERFUL ribbons of the world website and at least they will be ID'd.

If I did this right, the link will be directly to his East German ribbons page:

http://www.medals.lava.pl/de/ddr.htm

[Hauptmann]

Several of those appear to be upside down to my weary bleary 1 AM eyes.

Go to Lukasz Gaszewski's WONDERFUL ribbons of the world website and at least they will be ID'd.

If I did this right, the link will be directly to his East German ribbons page:

http://www.medals.lava.pl/de/ddr.htm

Hi Rick,

Right on target with both the site and I believe them being upside down. Assuming that's correct then (if I'm right) here's what they are... from top to bottom:

1st

Medal for 5 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior.

2nd

Medal for 10 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior.

Medal for 5 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior.

3rd (right way round I believe)

Honorary Title Activist of Socialist Labor (1969)

Honorary Title Kollektiv of Socialist Labor (1962)

As I'm assuming it's not:

Honorary Title Meritorious Lawer of the GDR (1979)

Honorary Title Meritorious Teacher (1975)

Now... not sure if the bottom one is a two level bar or what... because of the order on the one pictured on the bottom I "think" they are two bars... so based on that:

4th

Medal for 20 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior (1959)

Medal for 15 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior (1959)

Medal for 10 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior (1959)

Medal for 5 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior (1959)

5th (right way round I believe)

Silver Service medal of the Ministry of the Interior (1966)

Medal for 25 Years Long Service in the Ministry of the Interior.

Bronze Service medal of the Ministry of the Interior (1966)

Anyhow, let me know if I did okay or if I messed anything up.

Thanks Rick!!!! You're a miracle worker!

Dan

[ehrentitle]

Congrats - These would look good on a police uniform since they are almost all MdI ribbons. Kevin

[Hauptmann]

Congrats - These would look good on a police uniform since they are almost all MdI ribbons. Kevin

Hi Kevin

Would they work on Transportation Police? I have one of those. How about Border Guard? And would it matter officer or enlisted?

Thanks!

Dan

[ehrentitle]

Dan - These ribbon bars could be used on all police uniforms (VOPO, TRAPO, BEPO, Justice, etc...) The Border Guards had their own medals that were simular to the NVA. The Kampfgruppen were also part of MdI, but they also had their unique set of medals. Kevin

[Hauptmann]

Dan - These ribbon bars could be used on all police uniforms (VOPO, TRAPO, BEPO, Justice, etc...) The Border Guards had their own medals that were simular to the NVA. The Kampfgruppen were also part of MdI, but they also had their unique set of medals. Kevin

Many thanks Kevin. Guess my Trapo is going to get dressed up a bit then.

Guess I'll have to stay on the hunt for some army and BG bars. I'd love a medal bar at some point too if I can find one at a good price... especially one with the service medals I like with the three soldiers on the obverse. Just love those!

And someday... with luck, I'd LOVE to have one of the larger sized bars... even a put together at this stage of the game as a representative example.

Thanks again!

Dan

[ehrentitle]

Here is my limited selection of loose ribbon bars. Note the two in the top row show service in the Border Guard. The one in the right shows service in the Border Guard, VOPO and Education. So it very well could be a put together bar as I don't seen how someone could have so much service in three organizations. Kevin

Edited June 18, 2006 by ehrentitle

[Hauptmann]

Here is my limited selection of loose ribbon bars. Note the one on the top row right shows service in both the Police and NVA. Kevin

YES! Those are perfect!!!! Should I send over my address via PM?

Seriously though, beautiful! I should be so lucky. Many thanks for sharing those... gives me a goal to keep working towards.

I'm sure some more good deals will pop up over time. Just don't know what it is... curse of the DDR ribbon bars or something. Three times I missed and they went for dirt... and very reasonable dirt I might add. And they were about the size of your larger three bars... hey, where were you those three days?

Thanks thanks for sharing those. I always enjoy seeing them beautiful bars!

Dan

[ehrentitle]

I purchased all of them when I was stationed in Berlin from 85-89. You just don't see the cloth bars at bottom all that often now. Even the paper ribbon bars are going for premium prices on US E-bay. Have to shop on German E-bay to get the best deals. Had I known that these would be so desirable I would have purchased many more back in the "good old days". Kevin

Edited June 18, 2006 by ehrentitle

[Hauptmann]

QUOTE(Rick Research @ Jun 18 2006, 00:05 ) ←

Several of those appear to be upside down to my weary bleary 1 AM eyes.

Go to Lukasz Gaszewski's WONDERFUL ribbons of the world website and at least they will be ID'd.

If I did this right, the link will be directly to his East German ribbons page:

http://www.medals.pl/de/ddr.htm

Hi Rick,

Well, just received my first (and hopefully first of many as I think I'm hooked now! ) DDR ribbon bars. Even though I didn't think I'd be so lucky... the big one is indeed a two row!!!!

And you were right... upside down. So with the shorter row on top... I believe the one on each side is out of order, correct? And if so, would it be okay for me to "carefully" switch them round? Also, would the one currently in the center remain there in the same position?

I'm still amazed at them using paper ribbons... are they not the only nation to have done so? You'd think if they were caught in a sudden storm or something such things would be ruined very quickly. The backings are cool... especially with the way they attached the two bars... has that little bit of jiggle to it. Can just hear the undertone of clicking as they marched!

But they all look to be in great shape and I'm so glad I jumped on them. If only I can luck out and find some more at anywhere near that kind of price... but have a feeling that won't happen much... if ever again. I'm so thankful for these... it's been a looooooooong wait but well worth it!

Thanks!

Dan

Edited February 24, 2010 by Hauptman