Avitas

That looks like it was made yesterday!! Whoever kept this medal in that pristine shape should be thanked, that is unbelievable how the gilt has stayed put so perfectly. I thought mine had a nice gilt left, but this one makes it look like a relic! Cheers and thanks for showing! Pat

From someone who has had a few cast repros, I would guess this one as a cast copy as the finish is pretty rough (unless it was ground found or stored badly, but you said it came from his wife so it should have been stored above-ground at least). Now it could just be the zinc deteriorating but the details do not look sharp enough to me, but the pics are pretty small to make a definite verdict I would say. Cheers, Pat

These Stahlhelm badges are one of my faves, and it is great to see such a nice set (as complete as most will ever be) of these badges. I hope you find the 1918 and 1919 and I will keep an eye out for you as well. Thought I saw a 1919 somewhere so if I remember where I saw it I will get back to you. Cheers, Pat

Chris Ailsby's book "A Collector's Guide to the Luftwaffe" has a complete list of his awards from all the countries involved, the list is ridiculously long, probably about 100 medals! Cheers, Pat

Hi Joe, I too have a mounted die-struck Imperial EK2 that is of extremely fine quality, and I thought it might have been silver but it is more likely it is neusilber after Greg pointed out that his was neusilber. Mine is discussed on this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7884 The consensus was that these were made in the 1920's and fairly scarce compared to other types of Ek2's. I would post pics but I can't right now due to the new upgrade on the site passing my tech requirements, but the pics are posted on the above-mentioned link. Does yours have the pebbled finish as well? Cheers, Pat

Welcome Fred, I too eagerly await to see your various Heer insignia as it is a field I have started in as well and would love to see some nice scans of some good original insignias! I have a couple threads of my meagre insignia posted as well, with prices these days for newcomers to the hobby like me insignia are still relatively affordable and can have so many variations to collect. Your collection will surely add to the vast database that is expanding daily here on this great site. Cheers, Pat

The tanks look almost identical to me, but the fabric is a pretty good indicator as the two (Naxos' and Don's) shown have major differences. The reverse has a totally different backing material (looks to be wool on the original, can you clarify?) and the first one posted appears to be some type of felt backing. I guess this would be what to look for in this type of badge, but I am with Kevin in wanting some further details (if there are some about the construction of the tanks etc) to look out for in the Tank Destruction Badge, one of my favourites that I would like to own one day. And Jacques, are all of those yours? They are a very nice collection of a not so easy to come by award Cheers, Pat

Very interesting Leigh, it appears to be made by the same maker judging by the twisted arm where the medal mounts the ribbon and the design. Also, it appears the American 5th Army medal has sailboats in the harbour, whereas the Brit medal of mine has an empty harbour. Does the reverse of yours have the same inscription for the same date? The skyline is the same so it should match up. Can you show a pic of the reverse Leigh? I have seen another variation of these which shows a separate harbour, if anyone has this example please share it as well. Cheers, Pat

Hello there, I collect TR and Canadian ww2 almost exclusively, and what I do is just stick to the cheaper stuff so that way even if I make a mistake and get burned without being able to get a refund (you have all saw that happen to me with my first ever purchases, the TR badges, OUCH!). I too like the tinnies for their affordability, but now some sites are charging obscene amounts for common tinnies! So I will continue to collect TR mainly for the sheer history of it, and they compliment my Canadian items nicely to have a balance. Also, admittedly, the imagination does tend to go off with these unnamed Third Reich awards, as you wonder who actually had this specific medal or badge and what they did to get it. As for paying over $100 for an item, I just don't do it (except for VERY rare exceptions like my Aux. Cruiser badge) and I feel safer that way. It means I won't get a Knight's Cross unless I find it at a flea market from some unuspecting merchant who doesn;t know it's value (not very likely), but I am happy with the Coastal Artillery badges and chest eagles and such. Cheers, Pat

The condition of the helmet would lean towards an official guard duty or something similar, the paint is superb! And the decals are almost mint. I have never seen one of these in colour either so I thank you for showing it Cody Pat

Thanks Rob for that info, It does make sense as a Coastal Artillery buckle, but I know to avoid snipers some army buckles were painted dark as well. A great buckle that I am so happy my old gramps passed on to me, will be in my collection to the end! Cheers, Pat

and the reverse of the Coastal Artillery eagle. Cheers, Pat

Thanks Dan Just picked up this nice Coastal Artillery cloth breast eagle on the weekend to add to my insignia collection (and it will go nicely with my CA belt buckle and CA badge). This one was cut off of a fallen German soldier by a Canadian soldier, and the fellow was very talkative about his time and how he got this eagle, just said he didn't need it anymore and wanted someone who would appreciate it to have it. Not a DKG or anything, but a nice insignia with a good story behind it (and a true one!). It is definitely worn and you can see how it was removed from the tunic pretty clearly. Any comments are great on this eagle or any other topic in this thread (there are a few ) Cheers, Pat

Thanks Joe and Gary, Always thought it was a repro, as it was a throw in, but I thought I would just check to make sure. Good information guys Pat

Here is the reverse, I think the stitching is ok, but I am no expert. It doesn't glow at all, but the thread isn't really white so it is probably irrelevant. It is pretty floppy if that helps. Any ideas? Cheers, Pat

Have you blacklighted it? It sometimes can be helpful as many can be hinted one way or the other with this method. I know the blacklight method is not perfect, but it can be a good guide. I have an SS sleeve eagle that I really am unsure if it is a real unissued Bevo example, or a repro. It is quite different from Dan's example, as it is Bevo. What do you think, does it have a chance? Cheers, Pat

...and the reverse. I am not a regular collector of Soviet awards so I do not recall the maker. Cheers Pat

Nice Stars!! I'll post my OPW 2nd with serial number 140550, a fairly early one. I still haven't got this researched but I still might get that done. It has some tarnish but overall a nice one. Cheers, Pat

Wow, this guy really got around the workplaces! I think it would make a good movie, following his life during the war. I had the choice of this beat up and well-used Arbeitsbuch or a minty one with 2 entries for the same price, so I took this one. Seems like it was the right one, as this is an interesting story of an elderly waiter/server/barman who worked through the war during heavy bombings. Sometimes the mint ones aren't the best! Any more deciphering of the scribbles is welcomed and thanks for all the help! Cheers, Pat

I sent the PM, so hopefully Robert knows something, or anyone else who drops in! These are the only two Kodak brand postcards I have, maybe someone else has one? I guess we just play the waiting game now. Cheers, Pat

Hello, I will be sure to try to find more of these, they are a neat inexpensive collectable from the era. I will post the back of the pic of Hitler and Goebbells and some as yet unidentified person beside Hitler, but it appears the only names mentioned on the back of the card are SS Obersturmfuhrer Felix Ulbrecht, Wilfred Bade, and Heinrich Hoffman (the photographer). It may be a hint, hopefully it will spark someones memory. Here is the back of the card. Cheers, Pat

Here is the pic of the pen written name and serial number. Thanks for any help! Cheers, Pat

Hello again, I have this nice ww2 era US Navy cap with a name and serial number on it that I would like to post next. Also, Any comments on the previously shown goggles or helmet are welcome as well. I don't know much about these caps so any background info is great. The name of the sailor is W.M. Roberts and his number on the inside of the cap is 483 71 92. He wrote his name twice (guess he was worried about theft!) on the inside ring. Other than that, it appears to be a standard US Navy cap from ww2. Maybe someone can determine where and when Mr. W.M. Roberts served if the resources are available. It is always nice to get the full story in my view, I just can't live without more info on the item Cheers, Pat

And one of Hitler and Goebbels (not sure who the chap on Hitler's right is) in Stuttgart 1933. Cheers, Pat

A belated thanks Dan for the great information! The translation website is very helpful. Are these fairly common then? I got them as a gift so I don't think they are too rare. I will show the fronts of a couple more here. The first up is a fairly famous pic of Hitler with the SA in Braunschweig 1931. Cheers, Pat