zook

Very nice groups! - I am jealous of the EK2 set.. thanks for sharing!! Dan

the rest...

a portion of citation...

OK...my apologies that I am still trying to figure out my wife's new scanner, while getting file sizes down to the min. requirements to meet this site. I will have to post pics of the Order after I get back from my current travels... Dan

Just a quick note ... there are some tremendously good Nevsky fakes on the market at the moment... I recently saw one at a show that passed my examination, as well as a few other long time collectors that were with me.... the ONLY thing that said off the alarm was that it failed the "black light" test.... all enamel was 100% fake.. .. rest of the order looked very good. The order is not in my possession ... so sadly I can't share photos. Dan

Since the prices for Soviet Orders and Medals appears to be on the rise a little bit ... I have shifted focus to researching some of my Orders that have been sitting around a while. Recently, I received a batch of research, and the photo of a female in the service record of one Order (Red Star) immediately caught my eye... here is the translation for the Order: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order of the Red Star #90.558 1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Alexandra Nikolaevna Ovsyannikov 2. Rank: Doctor, 3d Class 3. Duty position: 12 Independent Medical Battalion, 10 Guards Rifle Division Application for the Order of the Red Star 4. Birthyear: 1908 5. Nationality: Russian 6. Party membership: n/a 7. Participation in combat: Patriotic War since 22.6.41 8. Wounds or contusions: n/a 9. Time in the Red Army: since 22 June 1941 10. Inducted by: Monchegorsk Regional Military Commissariat 11. Earlier awards: n/a 12. Home of record: Leningrad, Peter Alekseev St. Bldg 3, Apt. 5 Short description of personal combat feat or service Having acquired experience in the military field surgical specialty since 5.6.41, Doctor 3rd Class Alexandra Nikolaevna Ovsyannikova, has assumed the duties of doctor-orderly in the operational-bandaging platoon. After being in the battalion for only a short time, due to her persistence and burning desire has acquired the skills for wound treatment, learned to conduct (missing) with the pneumatic device, and to correctly diagnose (missing) wounds, and correctly conduct (missing). Additionally, she has assumed the duties of (missing) assistance to the otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat). As a result of the Guard Division?s combat operations (APR-MAY ?42) when there were large numbers of wounded, Comrade Ovsyannikova worked ceaselessly without stepping away from the operating table and personally rendered quality assistance to a great number of wounded. She applies her great love and persistence to assisting the wounded and ill, and this young doctor has served as an example to others through her work. Co-signed Battalion Commander, Doctor 2nd Class Pa(?) and Military Commissar, Battalion Commissar 2. Reverse of Personnel Record 14. Time and place of mobilization: 01.07.41 - Monchegorsk Regional Mobilization Section (remainder largely illegible) Something about entering MVD service in 15.3.53. 15. Armed Forces Service Duty Place Date Chief of 4th Section Evac-Hospital #144, 14 Army, Karelian Front 7.1941 Doctor-Orderly Bandaging Platoon, 12 Indep. Medical Battalion, 11.1941 10 Guards Rifle Battalion, 14 Army, Karelian Front Reserves Leningrad Front 12.1941 Chief of Orphanage (Unknown Abbreviation) MVD, Leningrad Oblast 11.1947 Released into the Reserves 15.3.1953

Uggh.... very poor quality!!

NIce one! - - I have a complete cavalier glory group that came with the Donbass medal (and photo of vet wearing it)... I don't have the individual Donbass document, but it was nice (re-assuring) to get the research back and see that he was a lathe operator in the mines after the war.... Dan

Guys...thanks for the comments.. Not intended to ignore the earlier replies... my job has been kicking my tail (long hours) and have been spending the weekends building a playground for my boys... I have the orders book and research ...will try to post them in the near term, as requested... ps - this soldier entered the war late...another reason for the shortcoming in rank advancement... regards, Dan (zook)

I thought the opening bid prices were kind of high, even in comparison with today's market prices

Very nice! - looking forward to more....tougher to find groups like these!

Thanks Ed - I just posted a quick summary of the citations... I have the orders book with the group as well. Research came back and everything matches nicely... I just posted a summary of the citations. I only wish the citation for the 2nd class offered a little more (like geo-locational data) but then again, when one looks at maps of that conflict, the area the 5th Army operated in (especially behind enemy lines) doesn't offer a lot in the way of geographic landmarks. I found some interesting documents (Leavenworth stuff) via Google which conveyed how the 215th Rifle division and other elements of the 5th Army used platoon sized recon elements to launch the offensive deep behind enemy lines ...commencing 09 August - which matches the dates in the citation. This group has been "around me" for several years - a close friend of mine purchased it during the "happy time" of Soviet collecting (circa 1998) from one of the reliable dealers we have worked with... Sometimes, I long for those days.....

OOPS! - sorry, and I meant to say this is my Glory 2nd and 3rd group!...not a Cavalier!

Private Vasiliy I. Ovchinnikov. Joined the Red Army in Dec 1944 and, according to this orders book, received two personal awards in the GPW. First - Awarded the Order of Glory 3rd class (#182726) for actions on 14 April 1945 when, as part of a regimental assault near Klein Medenau (Konigsberg campaign) , Private Ovchinnikov thrust himself into an enemy trench, killing two enemy and taking a 3rd soldier prisoner (per citation). His unit was part of the Soviet 5th Army, which played a major roll in assaults against the Japanese in Eastern Manchuria in Aug 1945. Private Ovchinnikov was cited for participation in a reconnaissance group that conducted a daring raid 70 km into the enemy rear area from 09-12 Aug 1945 (kixking off the campaign) while attached to the 284th Independent Recon Company (215th Rifle Div, 5th Army ? Manchurian Campaign). His Order of Glory 2nd was originally a ?Red Banner? recommendation, but was changed to a 2nd class Glory at the Army level. Order of Glory 2nd class (#7984) was awarded in Sept 1945.

Folks.... have been collecing Soviet orders and medals for 10 years now, and those of you who have also been at the hobby for a while know that the groups to vets from the war against Japan aren't (or weren't) hitting the market in great numbers. Therefore, I was pleased when I was able to recently obtain this small Glory group (on left of display) to a private in a Recon company.

I have owned a few of these groups with the plastic ribbons...none with maker's marks on the brass though... One set was to an artillery colonel (5 bar) and my cavalier group (the 3 glories mounted on plastic ribbons)... I am thinking they were privately done... perhaps due to the fact that soviet soldiers (active and retired) wore their medals so frequently/commonly - it was probably ideal to preserve the cloth and where plastic...as it could be easily cleaned.. Dan

I always enjoy Eugene's replies from my days on the Soviet Forum ...direct - to the point! Without originally reading the string and just looking at the first pics - I thought the RB looked "bad." Now, having said that, and despite the fact that I agree with Eugene - one can ignore opinions (of us) and I recommend just doing the "basics" before sending anything to Paul ...the 101 stuff. In other words, weight, measurements and enamel testing. I have been collecting soviet for a long time ... and recently came across a Nevsky at a local Virginia show for @ 150.00 dollars. It was damaged (screw post missing) and the seller didn't specialize in Soviet...but let me tell ya, it looked PERFECT in all respects. For the price, I didn't pass it up (..and I knew the seller would be good for a refund)...I took it home, and it passed all tests and comparisons with my other Nevskies..EXCEPT... it failed the enamel test (under a black light) BADLY... entirely new enamel. The best fake I have EVER seen! To the basic eye, the enamel even looked very good! ... and I have since shown to others who agree. One shouldn't feel bad to be taken in with a group (if it turns out bad) these days. The quality of copies and fakes are just getting TOO good. It is all a big learning experience. In my opinion, these kind of threads are the best to learn from ...novices and veterans alike. Zook (Dan)

Great photos! ... I always enjoy coming back to this link to check out the great photography and interesting displays ... (except for the Frog's eye pic...I put that one in the "bizarre category" regards, Dan

Ver nice! - I would like to add one of these examples to my collection if anyone wishes to part with one! THanks for sharing the pics! Dan

Thanks fore the comments Joe and Dan! Please see below item on German E-bay. I can't speak for the legitimacy of the engraving, but it appears to be an original "KO" first class currently for sale, that has reverse engraving with similar disparity in patina.. regards, Dan Item #628480 http://cgi.ebay.de/EK-1-Klasse-1914-mit-Tr...mdZViewItem9474

Uugh.... sad to know! but THANKS Rick for the quick research summary and expert advice!!! Dan

[attachmentid=42647] Thanks Mike.. I'll have to find some comparison engravings. Yest, I wondered about the patina. I mean, the piece has definitely been cleaned .... not sure how to proove when a cross has been engraved, other than to compare to other period pieces, and even then.... hmmmm.... Anyway, I have attached a photo from another angle which gives a better glimpse of that "b-6." I am not smart on imperial abbreviations either... Dan

[attachmentid=42632]The obverse side...

[attachmentid=42630]I purchased this cross a while back from one of the major, reputable German dealers. Engraving on reverse - "Hauptmann Graebener" AOKb 1.8.1918 Since there is no unit listing... should I correctly assume there is likely "slim to no chance" on finding out more info about this Hauptmann? I welcome member comments and suggestions... thanks! Dan

Thanks for the tips guys! - Both are very good points. I value your sanity check.... D