TeaRex

Hi thanks for your reply, It was for his military decoration records (which we have a copy of) but it was his award citations/record - describing how and why he was given these awards. Which were Order of Red Star, Order of Patriotic War 2nd and 1st grade. Defence of Moscow, Berlin Medal, Liberation of Warsaw and the victory of Germany. We have the numbers of the decorations and the document numbers not how they were awarded (the first three anyway I would think are the interesting ones, the others are standard campaign medals). My wife said the reason the archives were (apparently) closed was for a digitazation progject.

Thanks will do

Hi All, I'm sorry if this has already been asked, I've been out of circulation for a long time and now am starting to play catchup. I know a year or so ago the archives were closed in Moscow (Soviet Miltiary records). A member living in Moscow had done some initial research on my wifes grandfather, but we did not get all documents, and was wondering if we can now get back there? Regards Rex

Hi All, I just picked up this dress tunic to the Royal Army Medical Corp, it has a certain amount of age to it, and is rather nice condition. It might be a 1920's model but really British uniforms are not my specialist field. It does have a peak cap which belongs to it apparently, the former owner still has to locate it for me, though he was pretty certain it had a WD broad arrow and date 1915 in it, but I'll believe that when I see it I guess. But if any of the members can throw some light on said tunic would be much appreciated. Cheers Rex

Better add some photos...

Hi All, I was reading this post and I saw a name that I knew. Zyra Radhima. I have a document to I assume the same women, a later award from the General Staff of the Albanian National Liberation Army. Sometime in the 80's I would think. The front of this small laminated certificate on thick card reads something like... "Out people, wounded, without bread, in the storms, in the snow. But at all times with high moral, have shown courage without hearing, which will boast future generations of our people"

Hi Mervyn, Interesting I had a look at the cape again, and while there is no split in the back, there is certainly enough cloth to cover a horses withers, I never noticed that before. Cheers Rex

Maybe a Wyvren of Wessex?

Hi, I just picked this cape up this morning in a garage/yard sale. As British? Units are not my field of speciality, I got it because I liked the looik of it. The cape is made of a nice heavy dark wool serge, well tailered, with a black velvet collar. Four brass buttons on the front with a dragon crest, the buttons are made by Pitt of London, it has ino obvious issue stamps or tailer label, apart from a metal disc on the side of one of the two internal pockets. RZ at the top a 4 on the left and 776 on the bottom, while I assume it's British military or some government departmental issue, I really don't know if anyone can throw some light on it, would be most appreciated. Cheers Rex

Dear Artan, Thank you the map is indeed exactly what I was askling about, the information is very useful for me, Thank you!!!

Hello, can anyone tell me in which areas of operation the 6th Albanian Partisan Attack Brigade operated between 1944 and 1945? Kind regards Rex

Hi Jarod, well you are doing much better than me, it's such a foreign language to me. I'm pretty good with Italian and getting to grips with some Albanian and a little Russian, but this, oh my. So I had it upside again. Shows how muich I know, no disrespect to the Ethiopians in any way. As you say a good mystery.

Hi Jarod, Sorry just noticed your reply, thanks for taking the time to try and work out the ring/seal. I'm glad it's possibly a good piece, sure the quality is not outstanding. But hopefully I've taken a photo the right way around. Cheers Rex

I have never had problems getting items posted out of Ethiopia, but I guess my purchases have always been very modest. Though I have also avoided problems with the Ethiopian authorities by dealing with Jah-JIm in California, I have always found him to be a very honest and good guy to deal with, A usesful alternative.

Thanks guys, that helps. My wife is Russian so has no problems with such things, but for me, English and Italian are more my languages. But anyway it's all a great learning curve. Rex

Hi All, I'm told this is a Pattern 1935 dress belt Albanian, King Zog period. Correct? Certainly is Albanian and doubt it's later Fascist or certainly not Communist.. Comments? Cheers Rex

Oh well, it was not so expensive, and I like early communist period items, so I'm not too upset. Thanks Theodor.

Hummm, maybe post WW2 Peoples Militia buckle?

The buckle might be Bulgarian, but the photo's are in English

Hi to all, I just picked up this Imperial Bulgarian Belt Buckle apparently from the reign of Tsar Boris III, I'm curious to know if anyone knows what the initials stand for? I would guess it would be in cyryllic and so would be V and Y. My wife is at work, and I guess I should have run it past her as she is fluent in Russian/Bulgarian, but anyway if anyone can help it would be appreciated.

Cheers Peter, I'll the translation a go. Don't know of any Ethiopian restaraunt around here. We have one of most people living here in NZ, will have to look around I think. Rex

Hi to all from a (at last) Sunny New Zealand. I recently picked up what I am told is a seal from a High Ranking Imperial Ethiopian officer. I know the inscription contains the persons name (and his fathers) plus the pattern of his ceromonial/war shield. Can anyone give me an accurate translation of what it actually says? Many thanks in advance Rex Trye

Hi all, As a side line, I've picked up a few North Korean awards and medals, I'm rather impressed with their quality (well maybe not excellent but not too bad compared to later Soviet ones). Can any members recommend me some reliable dealers or individuals who deal in such items, I like the unusual, having a resonable collection of Albanian awards has thrown me into the world of hardline socialist states. Regards Rex

Thanks for helping, anyway it's appreciated!

Hi Kev, Yes looking at mine a bit more, the wings are also different mine seem to be more curved at the end. Anyway attached a back view as requested. Cheers Rex