Brian Wolfe

Oops, I forgot to add the photos

Hello Everyone,

The Indian High Altitude or Ucchh Tungta Medal 1986 has two different variations of ribbon. One is made of cloth and the other is paper. According to very little research on my part and a lot of research on Ed Hayne's part (http://haynese.winthrop.edu/india/medals/indmed.html) I found out that the cloth version was very expensive to manufacture and they went to a cheaper and easier to produce paper version. This "paper" is quite tough much like some paper currency in use around the world as well as some parking tickets (which I just found out about as well).

I was recently able to get my hands on a piece of the cloth version and thought that I would share a couple of photos with the members of these two different versions. The colour of the paper one is a lot darker blue. I'm not sure if this is common but there is a lot of difference in the two ribbons I have. I've taken a photo of the back of the ribbons as well.

Does anyone know if this is unique to the High Altitude Medal or is there other paper ribbons used in other countries. I found it quite interesting to find out that paper was used.

Many thanks to Ed for all of his work. I would be completely ignorant of India and Pakistan medals without his efforts.

Cheers

Brian

Hello Everyone,

After my post of a couple of weeks ago I have managed to pick up the 2nd and 3rd class Cross of Merit. I was attending an Antiques Fair with my wife and two other couples, none of whom had any interest in medals or military in general. After two hours of looking at glassware and smelly old cupboards that looked like they had fallen off a truck I was getting pretty bored. There were a few dealers with medals but none that I thought had any items that I "needed". My wife says collectors use the word "need" incorrectly. One dealer had the silver Cross, 2nd class and I knew I had to buy it. Again with the misuse of a word, in this case "had".

The price was very high and even after some bartering the price we settled on was about 3 time too high. I didn't care bcause I was NOT going home empty handed. A fool and his money! The third class I purchased through an on line auction at a fair price.

The obverse is plane except for the 2nd Class which has "KW" stamped on it. I see Rick's has "AZ" so it must be a different manufacturer. I'm not going to clean it as I like the patina.

I hope you like the set.

Cheers

Brian

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

There is absolutely no need for this type of behavior here. I dont like your language and most importantly, your attitude. You are welcomed to participate in this forum, but please maintain a bit of decorum and self dignity. Thanks

Title has been changed to one that is more easily searchable.

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

You're right! Never can get enough: I'm fighting the urge to try and find another!!!

Cheers!

Rob

Hi Rob,

Don't fight the urge, give in to the dark side.

Cheers

Brian

The posting a of a fake item without specifying why is usually meant to incite discussion and allow you to measure your eye and gain the experience of attempting to disect what's wrong and evaluate the item as a learning experience. If you don't learn how to do this, how will you grow as a collector?

The purpose (on my part anyway) is to not just to educate with "this is wrong because...", but about allowing you to develop your own methodology and eye for discerning what is real and what is not.

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

Brian,

He's not a cavalryman. Most of the cavalry units retained the standing collar for their early field gray uniforms. He is wearing infantry style boots as well. Even with an enlargement, it may be difficult to pin him down. The Swedish cuffs could indicate several types of units.

Chip

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

Brian, I'd be very careful. I have cleaned an EK1 in the past to remove dirt and grime only. I used warm soapy water and a very softtooth brush. When i was done I used a hair dryer to COMPLETEY dried the cross taking special attention to under the frame. You can't let moisture stay in there or rust will start.

That being said, yours appears to have some slight rusting around the edge of the frame and swastika. You ned to be careul that further cleaning doesn't start to remove and paint above this rust. It's a situation that I'd leave well enough alone in this case.

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

Hello,

I know I should have a photo of the blade. It is a WKC blade and has the two large fish at the bottom.

Prien

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

Brian,

Looked on the National Archive online Medal Index Cards and your man served during the Great War and the '820804' number is a post 1917 T.F. number for the North Midland Division. It also gives us his pre-1917 number which is '17'. See the link below;-

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=2

However this '17' may not be his original number on enlistment into the T.F. as the Ammunition Columns were formed from all of the Batteries serving in the Brigade and as such all were renumbered on the formation of the Column. The only reason I know this is because my own grandfather was in an Ammo Column and he too was renumbered on it's formation and again in 1917, but I didn't know of his original number until reading his service papers.

Graham.

Many thanks for all of this information Graham.

Cheers

Brian

Who's the recipient, which should be on the rim.

Graham.

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