Gerd Becker

Don, i agree with Ricks points. The back is very crude like typical on castings. I would return it. all the best, Gerd

Claudio, this group is AWESOME jumping jumping jumping

Thats a fantastic set, Darrel. Congrats to this fine new additon :food-smiley-004: best, Gerd

Most interesting and a real action-citation. What a lucky survivor. :food-smiley-004: Gerd

Very nice. Its still in great condition. These have real silver srews, right? Gerd

Well i have already informed my researcher, but it will take a few months though. I also get a citation for a nice early Red-Star (you know, the one from Tom) and i am really really curious, what these were awared for and tho whom. Can?t await it. Gerd

Thanks, John. Thats absolutely possible. What i found strange was that there is no eagle on the ribbon, but this was worn this way, i am sure about that. The guy, i got it from, got it directly from the wearer. Gerd

John, i have exaclty the same bar like you. Take a look:

Here is the second new important addition to my collection, a piece, i wanted since i started with Soviet Collecting. Its a Screwback Red Banner with Serial Number 72925, awarded probably around July 1943. It has some enamel restauration, but its really hard to get one without enamel damage. I am going to let this one research. best, Gerd

Hi everyone, i am proud to show you the new addition to my collection, an Order for the Service to the Homeland 3rd class 2nd type See this thread for the first type: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1042 Serialnumber is 98116 and inside the serial-range for awarded pieces. Its a beautiful piece. I cannot understand, how someone can call this thing ugly Enjoy! best, Gerd

Come on, Bob. The suspense is killing me I guess, its the combination, but what?

Do you mean, there is more? The Silver Medal of the Holy Michael? Or the 20 years Long Service cross?

The Merit Medal of the Order of the Bavarian Crown. Its incredibly rare, maybe even rare like the silver Bravery Medal. The first real one, i have seen. Fantastic bar. Thanks for sharing. Gerd

Wow, these are very pretty jumping best, Gerd

Marshall, i think, thats a good idea. I have several order, that for sure belong to groups. I would be more than happy, if someone has the fitting group. I could sell them for a premium then :food-smiley-004: Just kidding, of course... Why not start it here or over at the WAF? best, Gerd

Very nice postwar-group, Rick. Your OSH is just fantastic. Gerd

Here is a second class, i got today: The golden look is from the scanner. Its really silver.

Hi David, thank you and you are welcome to come and see it in person. The frame was a normal Picture-frame, which i changed a bit. You only have to look out, if they are deep enough, that you can make a little space for the medals bewteen the glass and the medals. But i found very very nice ones at IKEA this week. They are perfect for Medals and Orders. They are called "RIBBA" and you get them in different sizes. If you look for displays, take a look at those. They also had some very nice spotlights, that you can put over the frames for 13 Euros, thats cheap. I really hope, that i can come to Verdun, but i have an Order for a network with three dozen computers. In the best case, i will be finished on Saturday or Sunday and can join you guys for at least a day. But the chances are not very good, to be honest. I really want to see Verdun this year with you, as i have missed it last year already. so cross your fingers, that it works out. all the best, Gerd

Thanks guys. It looks even better in reality. Gerd

Here is another shot:

Finally here it is in his display. I have used a cheap soviet flag as a background. I didn?t want to display the documents as i don?t want them to bleach out throuh the sun. I hope, you like it. Gerd

Hi Marcus, i got it for 65 Euros. They go for more than 125 Dollars on other dealers sites nowadays. You are maybe right, i should leave it alone, but its too late But its easy to switch it again. They are very well done and heavy aren?t they? I like it a lot. Have to get the second class soon.

WoW, Marcus eagle eye Thanks, i will look, if i can fix it. Gerd

Hi everyone, this came in today. A 1st class of the Soviet Medal for Distinguished Service. Now i am looking for a 2nd class. Came from Weitze, actually one of the few good priced items on his site. *The Medal for Distinguished Service was institutet on the 28. Oktober 1974. It was awarded to serviceman for achievements in training, political activities and courage and bravery while in service. It was worn on the right breast below orders of the USSR. 30.000 1st classes were awarded and about 120.000 2nd classes. The 1st class is made or gold-plated aluminium alloy and clear plastic. The 2nd class is made of silver-plated aluminium and clear plastic. The diameter of the Medal is 38 mm. The five symbols on the star represent: Anchor-Navy Star with wreath-Army Propellor with wings-Air Force Tank-Tank troups Crossed Cannons-Artillery troups The makermark-symbol on the back stands for the cyrillic letters for MMD, which is the abbreviation for Moskovskii Monetny Dvor (Moskow Mint) Enjoy *Paul McDaniel, "The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals"

So far i haven?t seen any fakes of NK awards out there yet, but you never know... If they start to fake a Medal for 5 Dollar, then everything is possible, i guess. They are probably quite easy to fake (at least the Order of National Flag) and the screwback versions go for much more than these pinback versions. So i wouldn?t be surprised to see fakes of these on the market. The day will come, i am sure.... Gerd