Brian Wolfe

Hi hunyadi, Very nice series of photos and being family they are priceless. Have you ever though about getting repaired copies made of the ones that are showing a lot of damage. My wife has several of her family when they served and we took the damaged ones to a photo lab and had retouched copies made. Of course we kept the originals but the repaired ones are the ones on display. The cost is not all that bad either. Just a thought. Thanks again for sharing your photos. Cheers Brian

Right on the money Paul. Being one who (or is that whom) has always struggled with the proper use and spelling of the English language I found it quite frustrating to have to attempt reading this near gibberish. On the other hand, to be completely fair (at least in my mind), I've noticed a few senior members use "cutsie" terms and words from time to time to make a point in a humorous fashion. Perhaps this is a matter of qualitative versus quantitative? Cheers Brian

Hi Geoff, I would really like to see these come back home to Canada. How about I give you the original price of 45 GBP. Just think how good you will feel knowing that you have returned this group to their native land and you've made a profit. I'm only thinking of you, of course. Cheers Brian

Hi Rob, Don't fight the urge, give in to the dark side. Cheers Brian

So true Stogieman. I once purchased an Air Crew Europe Star for such a low price I knew it had to be a copy even before the dealer informed me that it was. For a long time I had to content myself that it was a copy only because I was told it was so. Finally a well known dealer told me how to tell the fake from the real deal and pointed out the differences. That's the difference between a well educated collector and someone blindly accepting an unsupported opinion. It's the old, give a man a fish or teach how to catch his own. Oh, I guess that's what you just said! Cheers Brian

Hi Chip, Thanks for the information, it's a pretty generic photo and I sure didn't give you much to go by. I liked his attitude and the EK 2 ribbon. Cheers Brian

Hi Rick, Many thanks for the identification. Your photo says a lot regarding the stress of war, I have one of a Canadian soldier just a few weeks before he was killed in action. Compairing the photo taken just after enlistment with his last one is like night and day. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, I may be in the wrong area with this post card as it is not German but it is WWI and, if the identification of the soldier is correct, they were both on the same side so I posted it here. As time goes by and the prices of medals goes up I have been drawn more and more to the post cards and photographs of the people involved in the wars, both the First and Second World Wars but I like WW I the best. At around $6.00 to $10.00 each they are a lot cheaper to collect than the associated medals. I've noticed that the British and Canadian postcards feature soldiers who seem very tense before the camera while the German soldiers seem a lot more relaxed. Perhaps I'm dreaming but that is the way it seems to me. The postcard I'm posting here is of a very relaxed subject. It looks like they had to get him a chair just to keep him awake! I was told by the seller that this is a soldier of the Austro Hungarian Army. Would the members agree or was the dealer incorrect? Your opinions, as always, are most appreciated. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, I hope this is posted in the correct section. This is a post card I just got showing a very uninterested looking chap with the EK II ribbon. It was his air of disinterest in the photographer that first drew me to purchase this photo then I noticed a few other details like the ribbon. In the background is a door that looks like a stable door and a hand-written notice "Gast=Stallung". My knowledge of German is limited to ordering a beer at Oktoberfest (coming soon to the Kitchener, Ontario area). I think it might read "Guest Stalls". I think the "=" is just the sign writer's style. Would this be a member of the German Calvary? I would really like to hear your thoughts on this. Sorry there is no insignia for you to go by. A hardy Oktoberfest Cheers to all. Brian

Thanks fellows, I think I will indeed leave well enough alone. I agree it has character as it is and cleaning would remove that and still not produce a "mint-look" to the cross. You've been a great help in my decision. Cheers to all. Brian

Thanks Darrell, I'll leave it as is. It would be a shame to add to the problem. Cheers Brian

I was so happy to be adding this medal to my collection that I decided to post the obverse anyway. So here it is. It's like Christmas morning, adding a medal to my collection is always exciting no matter how old I get. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, Well, you TR guys finally got to me and I purchased my first TR EK II this morning. It's not in the best of shape and could probably use some cleaning. I'm not looking to make it look mint but it looks like it could use a little TLC before it joins the collection. I think it is an original as it passes the old magnet test and when you tap it with your fingernail it sounds like it's made in two parts. There are no markings on the ring. I accidently deleted the obverse but it looks like every other TR EK II and the condition is the same as the obverse. Any suggestions as to cleaning methods for EKs would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Brian

Hi Prien, Very nice dagger indeed. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Brian

Hi Prien, Any chance of you posting some photos of your dagger? I know I'd like to see it. Cheers Brian

Hello Prien, Oil is good but I have found something that you might want to consider. It is called Conservator's Wax. This is a wax that is used in museums, art galleries and by conservators and restorers around the world. Or so the information on the can would have you believe. It also says you can use it on everything from metal to paper, even photos! That part I find hard to accept. However it works very well on swords and other blades. It is a cleaner/polish wax but it is not harsh in anyway. I wouldn't use it on a pure silver medallion or anything too soft but for blades it works well. If the blade needs a lot of cleaning this is not for you. I got mine from Lee Valley Tools here in Canada but I'm sure it is available everywhere. What I have is made by Conservator's Products Company (Canada) Ltd. Toronto, Ontario Canada M6R 2H9. I've used this for quite a while and I'm very pleased. Oil, as I have said, is good but it will run down the blade and drip inside the scabbard if stored point down. Oil can also get gummy over time and dust sticks to it. Oh yes, if you ever put an oiled blade on a fine linen dinningroom table cloth it will leave it's lasting mark. Take my word for that. In all fairness to oil, I would think any coating would have left a mark. Gee I hope my wife reads this post. If you get the chance give it a try, it's not cheap but a VERY little bit goes a long way. Cheers Brian

Many thanks for all of this information Graham. Cheers Brian

Hi Graham, Do I feel stupid! I knew I had forgotten something and by the time I had realized what I forgotten I had gone out of the program. Cheers Brian

Hello, Here is the reverse. I believe that in 1921 they dropped the word "FORCE" from the reverse. This medal was awarded for 12 years service in the Territorial Forces. I forgot to list the recipient in my first post. 820804 DVR. G. WILLIAMS R.F.A. I've never read why they struck these medals in an oval shape. Anyone know the reason? Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, Here is a photo of my first Geo. V Territorial Force Efficiency Medal 1908 - 1921. It is the first issue of Geo. V. I hope you like it. I'll post the reverse next. Cheers Brian

Hi Greg, Thanks for the information. I'll hang on to this medal and label it as "Possible Repro" in my collection. I would be interested in any more information you might have after you "find" your book. Isn't moving fun? One of the hazards of venturing into unknow areas of collecting is that the chanches of picking up a reproduction is greater. In this case I'm not out much so the lesson is not all that painful. Please do check out my Cross of Merit, I'd like your opinion. The Cross of Merit was posted just before this medal a couple of days ago and can be found under, "Other:Communist Countries and States" or something like that (I can't remember the exact wording). I don't want to use up more space on the forum so I won't post it again here. But please do check it out and tell me what you think. Cheers Brian

Hi ~TS, I got a second medal in the trade but it was not part of a pair (two single and unrelated medals). I too thought that this medal looked familiar but can not remember where I might have seen it. I've spent hours looking on every web site and forum I could think of and so far no luck. Thanks for your input, the search goes on. Cheers Brian

Hi Greg, This is encouraging news as I know almost nothing about the medals of Poland. I think I would like to add to the two I have as a new "thread" to my collection. Thanks again. Cheers Brian

Thanks Rick, I had a feeling that considering price these were fairly common. I liked the general look of the medal so now it resides with me. Thanks again for your comments. Cheers Brian

Hello Evreryone, This post will really show my ignorance regarding Poland and the former USSR but here goes. This is one of two medals I just got in from a trade I made last week. I believe this to be the Cross of Merit 1st Class. There are others on this forum so I am fairly confident that the dealer has given me the correct identification. The ribbon shows some soiling but the medal is pristine with the enamel work in perfect condition. My question is based on the condition of this medal. Is this an original or from old never issued stock or a fake. The value was $35.00 Canadian so it was not a lot especially considering it was in trade. I would like to add the silver and bronze (2nd and 3rd Class) in time if this one is the real deal. I know nothing about the medals of Poland or even whether I should have posted this in another area. Actually I like getting into unknown areas of collecting as it reminds me of me original excitment many years ago when I bought my fist military medal (WW I British War Medal) in the mid 1960s. Man, that makes me feel old! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Cheers Brian