BalkanCollector

On 23/04/2018 at 16:56, BalkanCollector said:

I've acquired a new group. I had a Partisan Commemorative Medal of 1941 but I've managed to get the rest of the gentlemen's awards. Here's the photo of the group and I will post more detailed photos as soon as possible.

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.

That's a good deal and a very nice collection!

I would say that your piece was produced in 1945 or 1946. Note that I'm making a guess because I have a same type screw IKOM 3rd class awarded in April 1946 with a number 93,633.

Beautiful piece! I like the fact no one tried to clean it. I've been searching for a good early 2nd class for a while now.

Thank you Seb! 

There's no difference between small and big certificate. The bigger certificate was given for more important awards although they also started using it for lower awards in the 80's as I've seen a few Order of Labor 3rd class awards which are very common and low award with a big certificate.

Commemorative medals were never awarded with a document.

I must agree with you Brian! MP40 has always been my favourite. You've got a great looking piece in your collection.

Order for Merits for the People with Silver Rays awarded on the same day as the Order of Brotherhood and Unity. December 31st, 1973.

Partisan Commemorative Medal of 1941 awarded on January 1st, 1962 which I've already posted in another topic.

Order of Brotherhood and Unity awarded on December 31st, 1973.

I've acquired a new group. I had a Partisan Commemorative Medal of 1941 but I've managed to get the rest of the gentlemen's awards. Here's the photo of the group and I will post more detailed photos as soon as possible.

Order for Bravery awarded on February 20, 1963.

That's pretty interesting Gunner 1! I've never thought about that scenario.

Very nice Elmar! I belive it's an awarded piece.

It's a good forum for people who know south Slavic languages. I don't have an account there but I sometimes take a glimpse.

Here's a link to a great chart of Yugoslav awards: http://www.jugoslovanska-odlikovanja.com/index-jo.html

Click on "Sezam odlikovanj SFRJ". It's in Slovene but it should be much of a problem since it has ribbons shown for every medal and order.

Nice one Eric! I keep my collection far from sight in boxes.

Because it's an ordinal number. I'm not sure what did the numbering system look like in Yugoslavia but today in Croatia we put a dot after ordinal numbers.

Very nice Eric!

Very nice! Congrats on your new pieces! 

Lovely photos!