Stogieman

Moscow Artist's Collaberative?

I agree that the grouping is odd. I will be very curious when I get the 2 double cases to see how the pieces actually fit. I also agree that the style/materials of the cases as can be seen in the photos are pre-1900 easily. A quick check with Glen J and there was no officer listed with this name. (I might have mis-spelled when I sent to Glen, dropping the "t" in Bernhardt. I can see the Jubilee and the 1864, but very curious that he doubled them up in the cases.... the old "I don't want anyone to miss the other side" theory? A first for me. I have handled many, many custom cases, cased groups, etc. in both German and Austrian over the years and this one really "spoke" to me. We shall see!

Final picture. As an aside, this one's in Armenia and the asking price is 1600 GBP

Reverse.... look at all the casting pocks on this. The numbers look downright stupid compared to other engraving I've studied so far!

While we are on the subject, I'll toss this one out. Even to my extremely uninitiated eyes this looks like a cast piece of rubbish!

Vatjan! Much thanks for the assist on this one. The price is not out of line with what you suggest so I will take the plunge. My first! Upon receipt, I will post detailed scans of everything for everyone to study. I'd like to say thanks again to everyone who helped me out here!

Wow Danny, Thanks!! I will study it well!

hmmmm, same pin but very different back image. Hmmmmm.

Oh yeah.... can anyone who has the current Mongolian Book that came out recently take a peek and see if there's anything in there that matches this? Thanks!! Rick

Well, any suggestions on anyone who can "read" Mongolian?? French & German I can handle, but I wouldn't even know where to start with something like this!

Unfortunately, this piece was part of a group of three custom cased pieces sold individually ( ) in Germany. All 3 cases bore the name Ferdinand Bernhardt on the lids in gold. I won 2 of the 3 and missed this one. I am currently attempting to plea with the other bidder....

I find these "State Security Badges" fascinating. The intricacy of construction and the enamel work is right up there with what I know and love in Imperial german quality. This is a real minefield and I am trying very hard to learn as much as I can and really appreciate all your help and patience with my (seemingly) endless questions! I'd buy the one Igor has, but the damages to his put me off. I don't mind the price and trust him to know his stuff pretty cold. My thing is if I'm going to own one of these, I want the condition to be the absolute best I can find. Like I said, the guy in the photo looks a little too happy to be NKVD ;>) The badge is tougher for me to gauge as there's so little available to me to reference it against. Thanks much guys! Run away, I shall!

Thanks Mike, just want to make sure I'm retaining the details correctly!!

This fellow has offered me this badge and I am interested, but have no clue on the reality of the piece. Is this a legit Mongolian Badge for anti partisan. The book while very intriguing, doesn't seem to really conform to what I would expect for an award document per se. Any and all opinions are welcome and the guidance greatly appreciated. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEDW%3AIT&rd=1 Thanks much guys!

Thanks Rusty! There's little to go on and this would be a real help for many!!

Good points raised here... The infoirmation I'm seeing gathered is a boon to all and I for one appreciate everything I have learned thus far in this entirely new area for me! Thanks!! Rusty, please consider not only building the database here for all, but also like Ed stated, remember to retain your rights over both text and images.

Well, if the opening bid wasn't 600- Euro this would make for one heck of a project!! How about: Prussian order of the Crown 3 (I'm assuming RAO2 at the neck??) W?rttemburg Order of The Crown W?rttemburg Long Service Baden Henry The Lion RK (??) 1870/71 KDM Prussian Centennial Medal Now, the Prinzen=Gr??e Centennial Medal is very impressive, as is the bar itself... but 600- Euro?? Yeesh!

The thing that has been frustrating to me with him is that I have been eMailing for almost a year trying to buy a copy of one of last year's auction catalogue. The one with the flight badges in it. He has absolutely ignored me. OK, if sold out, the courteous thing would be to say so, but hey, what do I know about conducting a proper business??

Hi Greg, Welcome!! Now, lets see some of those crosses!

And the interior. I hate to say this, but the photo... well, he looks a little too happy to be NKVD!

Now here's where it gets a tad more interesting. I am much more inclined to accept this document as authentic. Is it real? Thanks!

Additional view.

This one looks a little more interesting to my eye. What am I missing? real? Bogus? Thanks much for the help!

Hi Mike, Hi John.. So, the other mark with the usual charachteristics to the "E & S" is mostly found on the buntmetal badges if I recall correctly? However that one is not seen on the later zinc badges? Or, are both styles seen on the zincers? Thanks!!

Hi Dan, Thanks for this great link!