new world

Here's another bad star. It's possible this is not 100% fake, some parts could be original with repairs, modifications and additions, but overall package is quite horrible.

Soldier Bravery Cross without swords to make it look like medical version. You can clearly see that swords were cut.

Good luck proving that seller made forgery himself. It's also almost impossible to convict someone of selling fakes, you would need an expert opinion, which will be time consuming and expensive. Even if you succeed, sellers can also play ignorance and say they believed they were selling real thing.

These medals sell for cheap and are quite easy to find, why would anyone bother faking them?

Pics for 1st class reverse are blurry, it's impossible to tell anything from them. I don't like front pics of the 1st class though. Of course it's preferable to hold this star in hand and inspect it carefully, however most of the times we don't have such luxury. Based on the troubling signs seen in the pics it's better to stay away from this seller.

the reverse of the 2nd class is especially hideous! In all my years collecting I've never seen such marks and such bad quality if the reverse. Front looks decent though.

These gold medals would be easy to fake. Fakers make complex awards with enamel from scratch - one needs to be especially careful when considering these gold grade medals.

I doubt they existed. If you were a doctor, for which you would have to funish a university and a med school. With that much education you would be in the army at the officer level.

Do you mean Soldiers Cross without swords?

Nice Regency award! Box is incorrect - it's from WWI, Ferdinand period (pre-1918), and for award with military distinction.

camelneck, I am sure there are some fakes of the 1941 soldier crosses out there. They demand huge premium over normal Bravery crosses, so someone is probably looking to make quick buck. I don't own any in my collection, mainly because I never saw one for good price.

Correct, I meant 'arms'... Check this topic - there are a lot of examples of soldier crosses with 1941 date:

Did it sell at that price? It's obviously a fake. They removed image with a cross from the center and enameled crossed from four eagles not to offend non-christians, but they left untouched crosses on top of the same four eagles and cross on the top of the crown. This makes no sense!

I think it was Simeon who put Ferdinand's items for sale. In reality such items are pain to keep and require proper special care, specifically for wool and fur. Uniforms are bulky, you can't just put them on a hanger and hang in a closet. Plus you need to watch for moth and other dangers... With time they become more of a liability. Awards are more portable and don't take as much space.

More photos: More of coat Trousers Hat Case Belt Boots

This uniform was originally sold at the auction back in 1989 - "Ferdinand I. Zar von Bulgarien" conducted by Karlheinz Müller, Limburg. There was entire catalogue of items belonging to Tsar Ferdinand. I see at least 150 positions in that book. It looks like large part of Ferdinand's estate was auctioned (uniforms, cases, headwear, etc), meaning there are a lot of his items out there...

Description in German: Komplette Galauniform als Feldmarschall der Österreichischen / Ungarischen Husaren aus den Nachlass des FELDMARSCHALL ZAR FERDINAND I. von Bulgarien 1. Scharlachrote Attila in der Ausführung der I. Rangklasse (FELDMARSCHALL), alle Effekten sind vergoldet und in feinster Qualität Auf der rechten Brust ZAHLREICHE Schlaufen für diverse Auszeichnungen, innen mit dem entsprechenden Trägeretikett des Hofschneiders Josef Szally in Wien: "Fmsch. König Ferdinand 17.II.16" 2. Scharlachrote Reithose in der Ausführung der I. Rangklasse (FELDMARSCHALL), alle Effekten sind vergoldet und in feinster Qualität mit dem entsprechenden Trägeretikett des Hofschneiders Josef Szally in Wien: "Fmsch. König Ferdinand 17.II.16" 3. Weiße Pelzattila in der Ausführung der I. Rangklasse (FELDMARSCHALL), alle Effekten sind vergoldet und in feinster Qualität mit Zobel Pelz, auf der rechten Brust ZAHLREICHE Schlaufen für diverse Auszeichnungen 4. Kalpak Pelzmütze (Zobel) mit scharlachroten Sack, Schnüre und Geflechte in vergoldeter Ausführung, weißes seidiges Innenfutter 5. Hellbrauner Leder-Koffer zur Aufbewahrung des Leibgürtels und des Kalpak, mit aufgelegten Zaren Chiffre 6. Leibgürtel / Feldbinde, Ausführung für Generale-Feldmarschall, vergoldetes Geflecht mit weißem Futter 7. Hellbraune Stiefel (Tschismen), mit goldener Randeinfassung und je einem anhängendem Bouillon Beide Stiefel wurden am Spann restauriert, da sie eingerissen waren Kaiser Franz Joseph von Österreich ernannte Zar Ferdinand I.von Bulgarien am 15.2.1916 zum kaiserlich-österreichischen Generalfeldmarschall. EXTREM seltenes und komplettes Uniformen-Set Provenienz: Auktion "Ferdinand I. Zar von Bulgarien" Karlheinz Müller, Limburg des Jahres 1989 Der damalige Zuschlag für diese Uniform lag damals bei ca.100.000.- DM Der Auktionskatalog mit Abbildungen wird mitgeliefert.

Some of you are familiar of this spectacular photo of King Ferdinand wearing multiple awards. Now the same Hussar uniform he's photographed in is for sale. This truly special, one of a kind historical item!!! Full set consisting of 7 items - coat, trousers, overcoat, hat, boots, etc. His name is written on the labels and FI monogram is on the case. Note multiple loops to attach awards on the coat and over-coat. Now you can appreciate this beauty in full red, gold, white and other colors!!!

From what I can find - it looks like the highest grade Stoichev was awarded with was 2nd class. He used to wear neck cross and white breast cross, however it appears to be 3rd class 1st grade cross. Here's General Stoichev in late years of his life - 1980. He's wearing only white star, which looks like 3rd class 1st grade. Finally - his monument in Sofia - with neck cross 2nd class and breast crosses of 3rd class 1st grade and 4th class 1st grade. No 1st class star...

Igor, where did this document come from?

Thank you Igor, these photos are amazing!

well, these fakes were from 9 years ago, they are probably much better now

Wow! That Civil Merit with diamonds is stunning!!!

Fake 4th class 1st grade Bravery. Was selling by the same person as fake 3rd class from previous post. Apparently was made by the same faker.

If you refer to post #74 in this discussion - there are photos of Soviet Marshal Tolbukhin with 1st class of Bravery. He was awarded post September 1944, most likely in 1945. As you can see he received award with a royal crown. In the same post - another Soviet officer with Bravery 3rd class 2nd grade - also award with a crown. As you can see, these are real examples of people receiving official Bravery awards during Republican times. It's possible that Bravery awards with wreath were all fantasy pieces. Does anyone have a photo of Bravery cross with wreath in wear?