Gerd Becker

No, i think, they are different. I have to check in daylight tomorrow, my eyes are hurting from all the enamel, i saw today Thanks for the interest so far.

Well, i don?t know... Here is a good picture from CollectRussia to compare. Its Navy, but though... Will see, if i can find anything, that comes close... However, need some sleep first. Rick, thanks a lot, my friend.

I fear, this is the best, i can do, Rick. Its blurry on the photo itself. To Nr. 2, the Medal after Defense of the Polar Region is Defense of Caucasus.

And last but not least a Colonel with Red Banner, Badge of Honor ,Victory over Germany , Victory over Japan and 30 years Armed Forces.

Next up is a Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Force with 3 Campaign Medals (4 with VoG)

The third is what? I bought it because of the Chinese-Soviet Friendship Medal...

Next is a Colonel of the Navy....

Hello Gentlemen, i bought a few photos on a collectors meeting today and want to ask you for help with the handwritten notes on the reverse. First is a Stalingrad Veteran Major, who wears a Bravery Medal beside his ORB, Stalingrad Medal and VoG-Medal

Devastating numbers. For the most people out there these are only numbers and statistics from the past, but we know some of the faces, what they went through and we hopefully keep the stories of them alive.

Here is one on CollectRussia currently. Issued to Navy officer Il'ya Gorelov on 22 February 1940.

Well, thats new to me, as far as i knew, only documented Labor-awards are traceable with a bit luck. But of course a Lenin is a high award, so there were MAYBE other archives of Lenin-holders, which we don?t know about.

Because only then Gilbert will get a result, as the civil Lenins are not in the Military Archives. Gerd

I know that one. When i saw it, i also thought, that it has a great citation, if its not one of those war-effort Lenins. I?d give it a shot and submit it for research. You can?t loose, i guess. Number should be around Begin to Mid 1944. Paul Schmitt lists a lot of HSU?s in the numberrange between ~15.500 to ~17.000. Gerd

I think, its earlier than 1943, probably a Mid to End 1942 award. Nice piece, Gilbert. I would definately recommend to get it researched, as these early Red Stars are allways interesting. Gerd

Thats a great group, Chris. The citation in post #7 is beautiful. Makes me want to collect french awards...

Thank you both, gents Gerd

I got the translations from my researcher today and although Rick already gave a good overview, i?ll post the complete citation. Here it is: " Brief description of personal feat or merits Anisimkov Sergey Alexeevich is an industrious and disciplined officer. He is a good professional. He makes the best use of his opportunities in training the Afghan regiment officers to apply artillery in different kinds of battle. More than once, he took part in operations against insurrection. In action he is a brave, determined, quickly and sufficiently finds his bearings, takes grounded decisions, helps the Afghan officers in artillery fire control. He doesn’t lose his presence of mind in complicated and dangerous for life situations, keeps cool and is self-controlled. During operations in the area of the settlement of Tolu he provided an opportunity for further attack, personally grounded a number of enemy’s firing points. In the area of the settlement of Fayisa he has scattered over open sights insurgents’ detachment, as a result the regiment’s mission was achieved. He has a deserved authority among the officers. Moral fibre is a characteristic feature of him. A devoted C.P.S.U. member. CONCLUSION : For courage and firmness displayed in actions with insurgents, deserves the government award of the order of Red Star. The first DEPUTY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of the land forces and the MAIN MILITARY ADVISER in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, ARMY GENERAL. COMMANDER__________________ /A.MAYOROV/ July ? 1981 HIGHER COMMAND CONCLUSION Deserves the government award of the order of Red Star CHIEF of the 10th MAIN GENERAL COMMAND STAFF COLONEL-GENERAL ______________________ZOTOV September 30, 1981 Note of awarding By the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR Presidium of November 23, 1981 is awarded with the order of Red Star. Chief Officer of the personnel staff of military unit 44708 72295 ________________________signature"

wow, thats quite bizarre. What kind of people did approve this HSU? I mean, a Lenin or a HSL would have done it, right? Thanks for the link slava1stclass Great website Gerd

He has some great stuff, but no boards. M1940 Uniform of Marshal of the USSR Timoshenko - $POR What might that one cost?

Yes, indeed, there are alone here on the forum at least 2 or 3 collectors who collect SmerSh awards. Here is a nice one from Doug: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2901&hl= I?d love to have one too in my collection Also the older GPU and OGPU stuff is very, very expensive. Badges, Uniforms, everything... Gerd

I really love the Artillery boards, but i guess, they are hard to find, as yours are the only one, i have seen so far. You find the later pattern all the time on ebay, but you never see wartime boards anymore. Even the top online dealer can?t offer them anymore. Or i don?t know, where exactly to look for them. Anyone has a link or two?

Thanks a lot, Bryan. Gerd

How hard are REAL Generals-shoulderboards to find these days and how much do they go for? Anyone has some fake Generals boards to compare real boards to repros? Gerd

Kim, i guess, the screw on the back of your first Red Banner is only to avoid, that they crash together all the time and damage the enamel. The combination looks like it could have been put together. Do you still have this bar? And do you plan to research it? Btw, yes, 1958 means the 40 years Red Army Medal. Gerd

Well, you can?t compare SS/Gestapo with the KGB, but better with the NKVD and from what i have seen, NKVD items are quite expensive, maybe not like SS-stuff, but you pay definately more than for a group or Order/Medal to a non-NKVD Soldier. Gerd