Gerd Becker

Excellent Info, Andreas. Thanks a million Mine are all brass fortunately.

These wings were also part of the lot:

Extended Service badges... What were these exactly for?

Second is an Academy-badge

Hi everyone, i got these badges lately in a lot and would like to have info about its period, if possible. First is a Paratrooper-badge

Thanks, Rick. What browser do you use?

Nice Crosses, Darrel. I am still amazed, how you guys can distinguish the makers. They all look the same to me. Gerd

Thats a wonderful Spange, Chet

Thanks, guys. Rick, i am not sure, but i think, one pair is silky and one pair is metallic. I have added some closeups. Gerd

Thanks Andreas, do you mean these sites: http://www.uniforminsignia.net/ and http://www.sovietarmy.com/ I would appreciated any more links, thanks. all the best, Gerd

Very interesting piece, Chet. I have never heard about it though. I am curious, what others will comment. Gerd

Thanks, Andreas. I am looking for a good book about soviet uniforms and shoulderboards, but i can?t find the one, i am looking for. Here are some, which i cannot identify correctly.

I got some more today. Including two sets of five-sided boars.

A Messe is a religious celebration. I got as translation for that word Mass, but i wasn?t sure, if that is right. Exactly, the Margrave?s

Sure, you own ALL of them, Jacques This is one of the best threads about Spanish Crosses, i have ever seen. Keep them coming, guys. Gerd

I tried to translate the text in the link above, i hope it makes sense. "The Schwanenorden is the oldest order of Brandeburg. It was founded on th 29.09.1440 from Kurf?rst Friedrich II. as the "association(more community) of the dear women". Statutes in 1443. Content was the responsibility to wear the community-sign, the acceptance of women, the maintenance of depleted members, the possibility to bequeath (?) the title and the hanging of deathshields (whatever that may be). Membership was only possible for noble ones, there were regulations in the statutes about the daily prayer, the donating of alms, the demand for a christian moral-conduct and the reading of "Seelmessen"(?, something catholic ;-) ) for deceased members. Although Friedrich II?s intent was to commit the "m?rkischen" (area) nobility to himself, the order was most common in Franken. Caused by his religious commitment and the adoration of the virgin mary, the order expired in the course of the reformation. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. renewed the order on the 24. December 1843 "as a free community of men an women of all towns and confessions with the task to abate the physical and moraly suffering with combined powers" Even after 100 years, there are countless evidences for this order to find, mostly in Franken and in Austria."

Willing yes, able not, as i don?t have that book. But if someone could provide a scan i would see, what i can do. Welcome to the forum, Wild Card regards, Gerd

Yes, they are supposed to be Gold and they normally are. Though sometimes these OGPW?s with Brass H&S pop up. Some people say, they are trench-shop replacements and some say, these were produced by Cheliabinsk Tractor Factory, when they had no gold ones available.

AAAAARRRGGHHHH...... very very nice group, Andreas. I was very disappointed, that i missed it, but on the other hand i am glad, that a friend got it though. Fantastic Red-Banner. It seems to be flawless and in great condition. So he probably got the Red-Banner, the Military Merit Medal and one of the Red-Stars for Long-Service, but additionally the OGPW and the other Red-Star for "something". You gonna let this research? I know, i would, if this had been mine. Thanks for sharing it here on the forum. all the best, Gerd

Rick, thats a great mini Everyone, nice minis. Keep them coming... Gerd

Yep, you should, Bob. These are very nice and you can even connect them to a maker sometimes alone from the look. They are sometimes marked as well. Gerd

I guess, they go for at least 600-700 -Euro nowadays. Nimmergut lists them with 875 Euro. Gerd

Thanks, Bob. Very nice mini When i collected minis, i tried to find a Bavarian Bravery mini, but they were very hard (and expensive) to come by. Thanks for the closeups

John, i never get tired of seeing that NSDAP-Long-Service set. Simply amazing

Thanks, Andreas