Gordon Craig

Gents, Time I started to take part in this thread. Been a while since I visited the forum as work and research on my Hungarian camo project took up most of the time. Since Charles posted a picture of the cased badges I have in my collection I thought I should add its background and some more pictures. I bought the case from a dealer in Germany who said he got from an ex DDR NVA officer who was presented the case by the head of a Hungarian delegation. The NVA officer still has a similar case from another Warsaw Pact countyr (can not remember the country) that he will not part with. Little did I realize at the time I bought the case of badges that I would be living in Hungary and collecting Hungarian things. Here is a picture of the top of the closed case and the badges with the case open.

Hunyadi, I would say it is for the Bulgarian air force. They wore blue uniforms. The music device on the shoulder is correct for Bulgaria as well. The boards are Bulgarian and for the late Warsaw Pact period. Earlier Bulgarian boards were round on the ends but I do not know when they changes the shape of the boards. Also, the boards are a bit confusing. They are the style and colour for a Junior Leutenant but that rank should have one star on the boards. Czech boards are completely different than the boards on this uniform. Warsaw Pact manouver badges were normally only allowed to be worn while the actual event was taking place so this badge could be correct on this uniform if it was meant to depict that particular small time period. Some of these badges were issued to all WP troops involved in the manouvers and some only issued by specific countries for their own troops. If you could send me a better picture of the badge I could tell you more about it. Regards, Gordon

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[attachmentid=60120]I recently received a complete set of brown musicians leather equipment. It consists of the Y straps, belt, drum hook, drum stick holder and trumpet holder. Here are some pictures of the set on a torso.

Charles, Komsomol membership, as Nack says, was necessary for most things in life in the USSR and most young people belonged. When they got older it led to the DOSAAF that was a sports organization, at least in design, that concentrated on training of future use in the military. East Germany followed the same model with the Frei Deutsche Jugend (FDJ) first then the Gesellschaft fur Sport und Teknology (GST) afterwards. Cheers, Gordon

Lawrence, There is not link between the two organizations as far as I know so why they picked the dark green for the arm band is unknown to me. If the arm badge I thought was blue is actually green then it fopr the VOPO. Regards, Gordon

A picture of the device from the manual.

Gents, I thought I would post some pictures of the VOPO motorcycle helmet and the communications device they wore with it. The the device can be added to a standard VOPO motorcycle helmet. First I'll post a picture of the helmet fitted with the device and next to it the device itself.

Gents, The Betreibswacht are factory guards. The Betriebshutz are the guys you will find guarding the gates. They came under the VOPO and could carry side arms in certain situations. The blue shield was worn by the TRAPO. Don't know that I have ever seen a brown one before. Cheers, Gordon

Charles, Thanks for the response. Have a good vacation. See you when you get back. Cheers, Gordon

Charles, I left the majority of my Russian books in storage but I can tell you what some of the things are on these two uniforms. The pin on the woman's uniform is probablya Komsomol badge. You may know this already but the man, from left to right as you are viewing him; 1-Order of the Red Star; 2-Can not remember this one; 3-Order of the Partriotic War. The woman appears to be wearing the standard issue Russian WWII uniform while the man looks as though he is wearing the 1945 "Parade" tunic. Hard to tell what unit they are in perhaps if I could see the postcard first hand I could do better. Cheers, Gordon

Charles, Can you tell us a little about the Hungarian school badges please. For example; How many schools are there for officers? What/which school would a man of this rank have attended? I'd appreciate a close up of the school badge so I can get one to match since we have uniforms belonging to that same man. I should have checked your post before I went to the City Market Flea Market this morning!!!!!!!!!!! I orgot to ask for a closeup shot of the crossed rifles on the lapels as well. Cheers, Gordon

Holger, I was unable to see the pictures of your Scharnhorst medal. It would be something I would like to see. Could you try posting it again our perhaps send me a couple of pictures via email. Regards, Gordon

Dan, Always good to have something like this for comparison. If I see a real set I'll let you know. The first VOPO generals tunic that I bought had boards like the ones you pictured and repro collar tabs, the wrong buttons etc. I was just learning then but knew eneough to take a lot of pictures before I returned the uniform. Regards, Gordon

Here are the special shoulderboards and rank stars worn on the Generals shirts. The boards are thinner and somewhat wider than on the tunic. The rank stars are also different in that they are flatter but of the same overall size. Both the shoulderboards and the stars are specially designed for wear with the jacket so it sits properly with the shopulderboards in place. Regards, Gordon

[attachmentid=57572][attachmentid=57573] Gents, On some posts made by Dan, we briefly talked about East German Generals shoulderboards and the length of ribbon bars worn on the shirt sleeve dress. I've decided to combine both these topics and post some pictures of an East German VOPO shirt sleeve order of dress that I have in my collection. I'll only post the shirt first and add the other parts later. The shirt shows the Academy badge on the right and the four place ribbon bar on the left side.

Dan, I susupect the one long service award was left off the four place ribbon bar because it was to be worn on a shirt. Ribbon bars are limited to four ribbons in length when worn in the short sleeve oreder. Regards, Gordon

Second picture didn't turn up the last time. Here goes again. Just can not seem to get the picture to show up here. Oh well, maybe some other time!!!!! Cheers, Gordon

Hunyadi, Nice tunic and hat. Extra nice to get it with the ribbon bar. I have a question. Do you have any mid 1970 era Border Guard uniforms? If so, can you post a picture of one for me. I bought a Border Guard tunic at the October Militaria show here in Budapest and I want to replace the collar devices and a ribbon bar but I can not find a picture to guide me in the correct direction. Ant help you can provide would be appreciated. Here are the only two pictures of this tunic that I have in my archives. Regards, Gordon

Dan, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are a lot of things I do not like about these boards; 1-The kink at the buttonhole end. This would never happen with the correct type of braid; 2-The backing material is not wide enough. It should be clearly visible around the sides of the boards and is substantailly thick and firm. It is obviouslty wrapped around something to give it form and shape; 3-The shape of the tongue. It shopuld be round on the end and not pointed; 4-The tongue on all my uniform boards is machine sewn to the top of the board. Not hand sewn; 5-The length of the pins on the stars is too short. On all my boards they are much longer and fold over on the back of the board for a substantial distance; 6-The colour of the green underlay of the baords appears to be the wrong colour. This could be the photo itself but it looks to be too dark a green. I would never say something is a repro from a photo but if I were offered these boards I would not buy them. Regards, Gordon

Dan, Sounds like a plan. I'll do my best to help here by comparing them with my own. One thing to look for on the boards is that repros often have a looser twist to the cords than the real thing. Problem here is that you need a guaranteed good pair to hold in your hands to compare. Went to my first Hungarian Militaria Show today. Very interesting. Small venue but packed with vendors and buyers. Came home with a nice early (in silver) second class Waffenbruderschaft medal. Also bought all three classes of the Hungarian Waffenbruderschaft medal. I've been looking for the Hungarian ones for some time. Cheers, Gordon

Dan, Not that I want to through cold water on your enthusiasm, but both the shoulderboards and the collar tabs have been heavily repro'd so be cautious in what you buy. Regards, Gordon

Kane, What you have is the cap badge for the East German air force. It goes on the cap band of the peaked cap or on the flont flpa of the fake fur winter cap. I should add that this is last style worn. IE the all metal one. Cheers, Gordon (quote name='Kane' date='Oct 5 2006, 04:43 ' post='112905'] Bought this from a street side store in Berlin the other week along with another three, so it's in good supply. It contains the German flag and what appears to be a sextant on the front. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? Possibly a Sea Readiness Badge? Cheers, Kane

Nice Swallowsnest. I would also like to add a complete musicians tunic to my collection but they are very rare. I see them from time time advertised as being musians tunics but this usually not correct. They are most often just someones idea of what the real thing should look like. The nests you say look like Grenzer may be that. Hard to tell from the colour on the scan. VOPO would or Bereitschaft would be a lighter green I think. Here is the photo of a Miners musicians tunic which was sold a day ago. Cheers, Gordon