speedytop

Hi Chuck, "... from what i have read original award pieces were painted, and had no enamel." I do not believe that, what is the primary source? Uwe

"It is interesting also sport awards were made in Sweden from silver." Yes, and you can see the year of production, M8 = 1938 and R8 = 1943. Uwe

8a: Ist über Erhaltung von Waffen und Gerat am 2.11.44 belehrt worden Leutnant und Kompanie Fuhrer 8b: 5 Klarscheiben 2 Verbandpäckchen 1 F. Filter 1 Gasplane mit Tasche nicht erhalten: Kappen mit Halter, Entgiftungsm(ittel) 6.11.44 Gasraumprobe: 22.9.44 12 17.9.44 Putzzeuggeld von RM 5,- gezahlt The 3 deleted items > it is always meant gestr(ichen) = deleted: gestr. SanUffz (signature) Uwe

The Golden Fleece in variations 1. Austria, participant medal for a walking event 2. Germany, honor badge of a carnival association Uwe

Some Karneval (carnival): Uwe

I think, that it is a Dr.Hayne Uwe

Hi, I think, that it is a silver grade badge, but it is not a Legion Condor badge. Uwe

Hi Dom, the rank Meister der VP is the forelast of the NCO's. The uniform is dark blue with light grey rank insignia; rarer than the normal VP uniform. Uwe

Hello Dom, He was a Meister, not Mister The centers of the penal system were run by the VoPo District Offices. On 2 of the 4 documents you can see the headline "Deutsche Volkspolizei", on the other "Verwaltung Strafvollzug". On all documents he is, in a different spelling, a "Meister der Volkspolizei": VP.-Mstr., Mstr., Mstr. d.VP., VP. Mstr., VP-Meister. Interesting is, that on the document from 1956 he is Meister without the "VP", and the same officers, in 1955 VP-Rat, signed in 1956 as Rat, without the VP too. KR Uwe

Hi, the "Strafvollzug" (penal institution) was part of the MdI (ministry of the interior). The medal is a MdI medal, not a VoPo medal (armed forces of the MdI, "Strafvollzug" included). A "Meister der Volkspolizei" is a NCO rank (staff sergeant). I don't think, that you can find something about him. His location was Berlin-Mitte. Uwe

Hi dpast32, the "Meister der Volkspolizei" Bruno Urban was a member of the penal system in the DDR police. SV UHA = Strafvollzug Untersuchungshaftanstalt (penal system remand prison) The participation in Marxist-Leninist training (M-L-Schulung) was obligatory for nearly all citizens in the DDR, especially for armed persons. There were always new training courses, over and over again (see the time periods e.g. 1954/55). In such courses he was a teacher or/and an assistent (Gruppenleiter/Assistent). At the end of these periods he had a special training with an certificate for good benefits (Zeugnis). The medal in "Silber" was for ten years faithfull service. Uwe

Hi Dan, to differentiate male and female awards, you should have a look on the dimensions: male 55mm, female 47mm. Uwe

It could be from the late 50s to the early 70s. Uwe

Hi Bombarder, "... so i guess it was awarded early 1950-ies?" There existed different organizations with their own numbering. And these badges had been awarded for one year or for three years of excellent service. For a correct date you need the associated document. Uwe

This is my highest rank, Generalleutnant Johannes von Busse, commander of the 210. Infanterie-Brigade, later commander of the 111. Infanterie-Division

Yes, there are so many clasps. Uwe

Chris, I think, that it is Rechenauer. Uwe

Here it is for a direct comparison. Mielke loved to receive many decorations! Please see here, nearly 200 decorations Mielke Auszeichnungen Uwe

Hi Megan, "I'd guess this is a fantasy bar of whatever ribbons the vendor could get his paws on." Please see my previous comment. This bar is based on a bar of Armeegeneral Mielke, but it is not the original. The various organisations set great value on conferring their decorations on Mielke! Uwe

Hi, the basic motto of the organization was "Treu in Freud und treu in Leid". For the Freud (Freude > joy) stand the Fez, and for the Leid (Leiden > suffering) stand the Totenkopf. Uwe

Hi, in traditional German shooting clubs we find an annual shooting around the best shooter (Schützenkönig). The second best shooter is often called First Knight (I. Ritter), the third best shooter Second Knight (2. Ritter). Uwe

Hi Deutschritter, "... why did Generalfeldmarschälle sometimes wear the General-Kragenspiegel and sometimes ones like in this picture?" Those Generalfeldmarschälle were also Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment, and they could wear the Marschall collar tabs or the regimental collar tabs. Uwe

Hi, this bar is dedicated ro Armeegeneral Mielke, but it differs from the original. Uwe

Im Prinzip ja! There are several different badges with "Typ 1". They are mostly older than the same badges with the other Types (2 - 5), and yes, they normally have a higher value. For the differences you need the appropiate catalogue from Frank Bartel. Uwe

In his calalogues about DDR (GDR) decorations and medals Frank Bartel classify these nuts as "Typ 1", a srew with a large base and the nut with PRÄWEMA. "Typ 2" is the same screw and the nut without any marking. The time range is from the 50s to the 60s. Uwe