Mondvor

This is more sophisticated method of conversion. The hole was made through the upper part of the order and some wire ran in this hole as a suspension ring. On this very image the seller cut off the wire before the order was sold. Cavalier was wise and did not cut off the screwpost as it was made on many conversions. So order is in pretty good condition after being converted back and force.

Similar "solder-free" type of conversion. Actually, I love this way, because it caused less damage to the order itself.

However, not all conversions were made with the help of a lead solder. This one used a metal piece with two holes. This piece attached to the screwpost by means of lower hole and secured with a hexagon nut.

Another example of this type of conversion. BTW, Russian collectors call it "coat hanger" or "hanger".

Sometimes, the metal part soldered not to the reverse of the order, but to the very thin surface of the upper border of the order, just on top of red banner. It was a metal stripe with previously soldered ring. Orders with this type of conversion look very neat.

Another example...

This one is a most common way of conversion. Some detail with a hole or ring in its upper part was soldered to the reverse of the order.

Actually, the orders from posts 16 and 17 are official Mint conversions, so-called "swallow tails". When the Decree from June 1943 about "the new regulations concerning orders description" came out, several hundreds of screwback RBs were kept in "award department" of Presidium of the Soviet Union. They were ready to be sent to the army units for their cavaliers. However, after this Decree came out, they were all returned to the Mint and converted to suspension. The order from post 15 is a cavalier's conversion. I have pictures of different types of conversions made by cavaliers. If somebody is interested, I can post them later at the day.

This is a 100% original screwback Red Banner issued from second half of 1942 to first months of 1943. It is a pity that it was converted to suspension by the owner, but still should be an excellent specimen to research. Good luck!

Thank you, gentlemen. I'm glad to share all information I have, because I really appreciate that collectors from USA and Western Europe are interested in Soviet history

The only reason why I was so full of emotions is because we have already discussed exactly same problems with screwback BHs some time ago. I posted many pictures, explained how original mintmark shood look, but it seems that people did not pay attention. Here is a topic http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7777&st=0 and my explanation started from post # 57. It would be enough just to compare mintmark configuration.

Sorry, maybe I was too strict and rude. Emotions Just want to add that KILKA is a well known member on Russian forums. I think that on previous posts he gave enough evidences and illustrated them with graphical examples with detailed description.

Ed, what are you talking about? What other evidences do you need? I posted two pictures that explained how those fakes were made. Is that not enough???

This one is for BH. Just compare the mintmark. Half year ago I posted several pictures on this forum explaining HOW the mintmark on screwback BH should look like.

I really do not understand why some respected members of this forum prefer to ask PMD instead of using their own power of brains. Both RD and BH are converted from suspension variations and it is so obvious that even a beginner should see that. RB was made out of this variation (check below). Mintmark is the same. It also has totally replaced enamel and nice fake patina around screwpost.

Actually, this is the second book of Durov and Strekalov. The first one was about Order of Lenin and was higly proffessional issue as well. http://www.mirnagrad.ru/cgi-bin/exinform.c...=27&ppage=1 http://www.mirnagrad.ru/cgi-bin/exinform.c...=27&ppage=2 http://www.mirnagrad.ru/cgi-bin/exinform.c...=27&ppage=3 http://www.mirnagrad.ru/cgi-bin/exinform.c...=27&ppage=4 http://www.mirnagrad.ru/cgi-bin/exinform.c...=27&ppage=5 Another book is about to be published. Should be available in summer. It is about Badge of Honor by Oleg Derevyanko.

Here it is, sorry for the delay... Name: Aleksandr ?. (Erased) Rank: Captain of Quartermasters Service Position: The Head of Financial Department of 98th Independent Red Banner Tank Regiment Born: 1913 Nationality: Russian Party membership: None Participation in the war: Since June 26, 1941 on Western Front and Leningrad Front Wounds: Heavily wounded on July 24, 1941 Previous awards: Medal ?For the defense of Leningrad? During his two-year term of his service within the unit, comrade XXX spent lots of time and personal energy to organize the financial work in the Regiment in a best possible way. For his good organizational efforts he was granted with money awards several times. For his great results in the overfulfilment of the financial plan and his achievements in the depository plan he was granted with wrist watches. During the period of battles in January 1944 assault operations and battles on Karelian peninsula comrade XXX carefully monitored the human losses of the regimental personnel and did all paperwork about this issue on time. He promptly sent the notification letters to the families of dead heroes, so they can immediately started to receive their pensions (payments). Many times he personally came to the front lines to regulate financial issues with military personnel. He deserves the state award of the Red Star order. Commander of the 98th Independent Red Banner Tank Regiment Lt. Colonel Barilov. August 13, 1944

Sorry, my bad. I'll provide the complete translation very soon.

Belaruski, it is not only for "financial business". In citation it has mentioned that he was also in charge of sending official regret letters to the families of soldiers killed in action

Another very funny citation for Red Star.

Thanks for additional pictures

Forgot to tell that after the war he was the Deputy (Assistant) of the Head of collective-Farm "8th of March" in Leningrad Region.

Hello Andrew, Arhipov Pavel Mihajlovich. Born in 1911 in the village of M. Konezarye (Luga subregion, Leningrad region). Nationality - Russian. Non-party member. Education level - elementary. Military rank - Private. In Red Army from March 1944 till September 1945. Rank and position at the time of being awarded - Private, rifleman of 14th Rifle Regiment, 72nd "Pavlovsk" Red Banner Rifle Division. On June 10, 1944 during the breakthrough of a heavily fortified enemy defence line near the station of Beloostrov, comrade Arhipov with his machine-gun personally destroyed two enemy firing positions with their crew. During the forced crossing of the river Sestra he was the first to reach enemy trenches, where he personally killed up to platoon of Finnish soldiers. His action provided an opportunity for our advanced infantry units to move forvard with minimal losses. Signed by the commander of 14th Rifle Regiment Major Korolev. Just want to say that it is a really cool citation. The real hero he was. If you can, post the back of his award card as well.

IMHO, this book is original and problems-free document. First several awards listed in the book has been entered with the same handwriting, because it was made by the same person. Frolov received his war-time awards together with temporary certificates, which was a common practice during GPW. Only when the war was over, those certificates were exchanged for the orderbooks. Most of the exchanges happened during 1945-47. Normally the officer gave all his temporary certificates to the military clerk of his unit (or to the military clerk in local VOENKOMAT in case he was already retired from military service). This clerk transferred all award numbers from certificates to the orderbook, that's why handwriting is the same. At the same time this clerk filled out the Award Card. If you compare the handwriting on award cards and orderbooks you can find them to be the same in many cases. About the "Service to the Motherland" order... Well, if you open the book about HSUs and find Frolow there, you can see that he was awarded with this order. If the number is original we can tell only after his award card would come.

Ed, I think we have already discussed this BH and the document some time ago. I even placed several images to compare. Unfortunately I could not see them now. What happened to them?