Stogieman

Based on what the Research Gnomes? alluded to this was a really STUPID price for the bar...........

Hi Micha, I cannot recall ever seeing this cross cased before. I'm sure cases could be purchased at a jeweler, but I can't remember ever seeing this one cased/boxed as it came from a jeweler. The case is most often associated with those two awards, if you look at the "cut-out" depression I'll bet the cross you have doesn't really set in there very well. As an example, here's an MEZ1 cased....

See, just a scarce period variation..... Some things can be faked, some things can be copied. But a really good eye sees quality even when the source is unknown. Period manufacture just shines through sometimes!

And here's the complete Bulgarian Set for comparison. All of these may be of Soviet manufacture...

These are usually referred to as Combined Arms Badges. They were issued in 3 Classes. You can find the same basic design for Soviet, Cuban & Bulgarian soldiers. There may be others I have not seen. Here's a nice image of the Cuban 2.Kl. badge:

I don't believe the case to be correct for this cross. On the other hand it would be the correct case for an MEZ1 or GMVK.

First medal is probably FAM, nothing else would make sense. Note he is still wearing his bar in pre-1934 precedence.

I concur, I've had 2 of the official issues. I see nothing on the left-side piece for alarm.

Fascinating Ed... must have been some trip!

Odd twist on the ?se.... here's another example of a PG one to compare. This one mint in the sales packet.

Looks like it was made last week...... Is the backing glued on? I see no stitching. Hit front & back with a blacklight, especially where the glue might be....

Well, I've run through all my archives and I can't find fault here. I think we're put off by the terrible "look" as we have a buntmetal badge with very worn silver frost.

Well, we have really bad pictures. Wehave a very odd patina/frost or finish... A number of keys look correct for this type of badge, but no way to tell unless way better (300DPI) scans of large size for diagnostic examination or.... in-hand. NO silver content, just maker mark, right?

It's never fun to find out that someone you knew and trusted may have pulled a fast one. I'd like to think that the fellow who sold it to Doc didn't know either, but that's speculation on my part. The only thing I will add is the quality of the enamel work on the example shown by Doc doesn't seem up to a level as this example of the Grand Cross I just found on the net in only a few seconds:

Hi Petr, correct he is wearing both a Soviet and Bulgarian Honored Worker Badge. I was not aware that the Soviet "eggs" were handed out to foreigners as well... Very interesting photographs Christer! Rick R. Note the general's ribbon bar!

Well, that was a pretty neat thread!

So... anybody here going to chase it?

I'd buy it for a quid

Nice catch Fergus!

I've seen titled cases for ministry of interior. I have not seen a titled case for any others. As an interesting aside.... Cuba did the same thing. Ministry of interior rated titled cases, even if they were plastic. Everybody else got a plain plastic case that looks like it comes out of a gumball machine.... So..... what does that tell you about the "status" of these employees vs. other state employees? So much for a classless society, eh?

I'll open a new thread for Patriotic items. Not official badges or medals, but things the people may have worn/exhibited to show national pride. I'll open with this fabulous little Mig-17 Fighter from the 1950's covered in enameled national colors!

Boxed example of Ministry of Interior Honored Employee Badge

Cased Excellent Employee, Ministry of Interior Badge. Case has no title/writing

I think Petr means that the plastic envelope was not for/from the medal. It was added later by a collector.

So, do you now own all of these pieces?