hunyadi

Ah - thank you! Any idea on the second one?

I hate to bring this up - but I think the case and the Signum Laudis are a marriage. After the death of Franz Joseph in 1916 the new Emperor Karl created a new form of the Signum Laudis. Judging by the negative space in the box, the Franz Joseph style probably does not fit well as Karl form with the twin crowns would. As this award was from 1917 I just dont think the FJ style is original to this box.

Les - what Gordon and you have stated are the same. For the interest of clarity - unlike German awards which were made from several sources - the orders and decorations of the Hungarian People's Republic were made by the one source of the State Mint. They held all the dies and used them accordingly. It is certainly plausable that the State Mint made these post 1990, but there is no certain way to tell as the dies and the materials are readily available to them during this entire time. If there were post (and there certainly may have been) 1990 strikes of these Hero awards they have controlled production to still make these awards quite rare and hard to come by. The prototype especially - as there have only been a handful - I know of only three that have appeared on the market and only when the Hungarian economy was heading into heavy unemployment and high inflation - hence individuals who had these in their collections were in need of funds. Interestingly enough the image of the second one that came up for auction (for the prototype) at Bedo - also has the reversed ribbon - so perhaps these were "rejects"?? that were later sold to the public. Oh what I would have given to be at the "liquidation sale" at the State Mint that day... :banger:

Scott - yes this is the Hungarian Order of Merit Knights Cross with Swords on a War Ribbon. It was awarded to Germans by the Hungarians primarily for actions along the Don River Front. I do not know if there are any survivign records as the Ministry of Defense was heavily bombed and burned during the Battle of Budapest. I dont readily have an image of the full size one - but they have been posted in this section before. It would be very interesting to see the rest of that bar!

second one -

Here are two calling cards that were aquired by a member of the SAEF. One has both the Russian and an English translation (but what exactly is a Forvainding Agent??) the second I have no idea who or what it is for. Anyone able to help???

Nice pieces Greg - sent you a PM. The question is "when do I stop??" its a slippery slope :whistle:

Dan asked me if I had anything on this one - all that I can find is one similar in a auction catalogue - it simply states it was and "eagle head bayonet" so there is nothing unit specific - from the nature of the bayonet being a close combat idea and with the fact that he was in a flamethrower unit - I would make an assumption that this was for stormtrooper units??

Greg - that is a very nice beginning. I am particularly interested in the Border Gurad badge with the Czech screwback. I have not seen one like that yet. :jumping:

Looks like he aged quite well... good to have something to compare it to - looks like a similar ribbon bar in that photo as well

Very interesting - but I have to wonder - the man in the photo does not look anywhere near 50... and perhaps he would have been near 60 at the time the photo was taken. I wonder if this is a "recreation" - the photo just looks to "crisp" for me. Anyone out there got another image of this General?

Mothers Medals - yes very rare - Esp the higher ones. The Brigad badges are from the 1970's

Munkas Orseg = Workers Militia

Peter - I sent you a PM :cheers:

It is true that NCOs had silver buttons, but I think these buttons on the Arty tunic are the late war zinc type & would have absorbed the gilding - a closer photo would help. As for post war the same system was retained with the gold for officers and silver for NCOs the old buttons were used for a short time before being converted to the Tildy style in 1946-47.

Piave1918 - Nice uniforms - you have correctly identified the Artillery tunic as that of an officer - it is for a 1st Lieutenant. The infantry corporal I would like to see some better shotes of the collar tabs. its possible that they were replaced but unsure until we can see some better detail. The tunic itself is amazing. The Bocskai looks to be for a Private 1st Class or Corporal (detail on the chevron needed) but the rosette seems to be for an officer. Can we get more images??? The Bocskai is for the Quartermaster or Serive of Supply.

I have the Czech Legion uniform where the recipient was probably awarded the St George Cross or some similar award - can anyhone help narrow down a recipient? There were not too many Czech Legionaires in Russia for five years... here is a link to the discussion http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=43305&st=0&gopid=401222&

Could anyone help with the research on the possible original owner of the tunic? I understand there is a complete listing of the Sg George Cross in a book? Help - it would be amazing to get at least a narrowed down list! :jumping:

:cheers: Ladis - many thanks!

GRA - many thanks on identirfying this ribbon - I think the second ribbon is an Imperial Russian ribbon for the George Cross - or???? I just dont know Imperial Russian. The third ribbon eludes me and the last one is the WW1 Victory medal. As for service - the owner certainly saw action from the fist days of the Legion to the Civil War. Is the rain shield of an officer?

opinions and if anyone has two Czech buttons laying around - I could use some help. The both bottom pockets are missing their buttons.

service bars

detail

Here is another uniform that I had been meaning to photograph and post - its my Czech Legion uniform. If someone could reminde me of the medals that the ribbons represent? According to his chevrons he volunteered for the Czech Legion in 1914 and served untill 1919 - the other arm badge is the rank of Captain (not sure )

Details