BalkanCollector

Could you post a photo of the reverse Gunner?

The second document is an invitation for awarding ceremony. It was presented by the Association of fighters of People's Liberation War (SUBNOR-Savez udruženja boraca Narodnooslobodilačkog rata).

The third hallmark is a rooster in hexagon for .800 silver. It puzzles me why there are .900 and .800 hallmarks on the same order although everything is genuine. I have a second class order awarded in 1971 with the same hallmarks. It's impossible to determine the year of production by hallmarks. Your piece is a six torch version so the earliest which it could be made is in 1963. Here's an example of my second class with the same hallmarks as your third class:

No problem!

Ukaz broj # (decree number #). Here's an example of it from my collection. It's in the second row from the bottom, right before date.

Small addition to my Orders of Merit for the People. ZIN type, second class in it's original box. It's interesting that so far I have three second classes and only one third class order.

Very interesting, thank you for sharing!

Astonishing collection!

Thank you very much for your reply Eric!

I see nothing wrong with them but since I'm far from being an expert in French medals, I'd like someone to confirm their authenticity. If they are authentic I'd like to know their value. Thank you!

1st - Greek Victory Medal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-Allied_Victory_Medal_(Greece) 2nd - War Cross 1917 version https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Cross_(Greece) 3rd - Cross of Valor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Valour_(Greece) 4th - ? Unfortunately I don't speak Greek either so I can't translate the text.

Thank you very much Noor, I really appreciate it!

Thank you for your reply Peter! Do you know some sites where I can find out more information or anyone who is good at researching this matter?

I've just acquired my first British medal and I'd like to know if it's possible to find out more about it's recipient. Where did he serve, his other medals etc... 33290. SGT. M.S.BROADBENT. R.A.F.

Nothing wrong with that one. Here's my 6 torch piece awarded in 1979 to a technical Major for comparison. Five to six torch was indeed introduced in 1963. They've made big supplies of orders so five torch versions were still awarded well after 1963. Here are a few examples from my collection: - 5 torch 3rd class awarded in 1967 to a technical Lieutenant, 4 years after the change was introduced -5 torch 2nd class awarded in 1971 to an infantry Major, 8 years after the change was introduced! You can see my orders in this thread post from #96 to #98:

Amazing collection!

After a few hours of research I've managed to find where did this gentleman fight during the People's Liberation War. He was a fighter of 16th Banija Brigade which saw action in the biggest battles of that war, Battle of Neretva and Battle of Sutjeska. All in all I'm very delighted with a result of my research.

A little update since I've acquired boxed and documented unnumbered IKOM type if I'm not mistaken.

All good if you ask me!

Quite an interesting story and a great piece of history! Too bad you haven't found Major's photo by now.

Thank you for the reply Slava!

Is it possible that the medals are so preserved after all those years? By looking at the ribbons and the Medal for Defence of Moscow it's hard for me to belive that the other medals look so intact after being under the ground for over 70 years. I would like someone to prove me wrong.

My piece has a long shaft. I've never actually payed much attention to that detail so thanks for pointing that out. Also, I have this box for the 3rd class. It has number 87,436 written on the bottom. I'm assuming it's a box for the shorter shaft version since my order which has the number 93,633 sticks out when it's in the box. You can see it doesn't fit like it's supposed to. Here's the better photo of the reverse.

Remarkable set Drugo! Do you have his other awards as I belive he could have at least gotten a bravery order and medal?

I would say your piece was awarded. It has nice patina and signs of wear. To be honest all those unawarded pieces look too good to be true. A few collectors opened my eyes by poiting out some details which lead to think those unawarded pieces are very suspicious. You can check the topic Shinny IKOM orders and see what I'm talking about.