Belaruski

I like the look of the long stitches and the grey lining but have reservations about the wool used in the crown. I'd have to handle it to know! (but my instinct says it looks 'wrong').

Dave, I am also interested in your books! It's nice to see a bookcase not being used for DVD's!

Wow. Never seen one of those before!

Just my two pennies... Sometimes mistakes are mad because when reading a post you don't konow how the person actually "said it". All too often irony and banter appear to be hostile. Unfortunately that is the nature of the discussion board format. It's a alot harder to qualify yourself, or add emphasis than in conversation. Anyway, carry on with the quiz!

That guards tank is nice Richie, from Sevastopol?

Alfred, very nice! Please can I see a close up of the cap?

In the photo it looks tinny, and the enamel looks like paint. That may be down to lighting, but most Red Banner of labour awards are stunning, this one ..is not.

That Red Banner of Labour looks very wrong?!

I think it's fair to say that you win this one, although the name may be incorrect, as it is from memorey and the only other account has no name. In April 1942 (10 months after the invasion) a Soviet Jew was ordered out of a work party by a German officer and told to go down into a tunnel dug in the Brest Fortress. The emaciated soldier he found was indeed practically blind from living underground, and barely able to stand. He refused all food and water from the Germans and died shortly after his 'surrender'. Excellent books on the subject include Sergei Smirnov's Heroes of Brest Fortress and Albert Axell's 'Russia's Heroes'.

RedThreat you are in the right place! But Gavrilov was not the last. This may also require you to have read the right book! Any advance on July 41?

Very nice photo's by the way.

I started out collecting 3rd Reich stuff (as perhaps a lot of us did) before finding my preffered field. However these 57 awards are fascinating! I have to admit occasionally being tempted to dive into these!

"The Soviet Union, despite all mistakes and blunders of its leaders, was the source of hope and support for many states and peoples. The Soviet Union provided for the balance of the global system".

I still think from the pictures that are actually in focus, particularly no3. The detail is surprisingly sharp. I think what can sometimes happen is that we see so many fakes we become suspicous of absolutely everything! I'll be honest I'd be curious who was selling this and for how much (and want more in focus pictures), before giving a definite opinion.

Andreas, the goggles look clearer in the third picture. However I think the way the pictures crop the bottom of the medal (on the in focus pictures) and that the others are slightly out of focus casts doubt. If it's a copy it's quite a good one though.

"(Made by Putin) ?"

OK then. We have all heard stories about Japanese soldiers on islnds in the pacific fighting the war long after it finished, but.. When was the last Soviet soldier killed fighting in his 1941 border position? Names and detail earn extra points!

Ok then.. I'll post a new question in the morning!

The dark areas are indeed tarnishing. This would polish up nicely, but I'm not keen on cleaning up 'old stuff'. If it's legit this will probably find its way to the sale room.

Very nice Takc!

OK, what about this one!

Takc, my son needs one of those helmets! How hard are they to find? **edit for spelling!**

I know it's not a buckle, but I think you ught to show your Soviet miners helmet here too Takc, to go with that buckle!

That's a very nice 16 republic buckle!

He actually does have pupils, but bad photos! This I think, is a very good fake, but for some reason the serial number is heavily stamped. I can't understand why! I bought this for a very fair price when I saw that originals were above the $1000 and then some.