deptfordboy

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Afternoon Gents. Some of you may remember that, on the advice of members here, I had some research done on pieces in my collection. I am a beginner to this, and despite having bought a few Russian phrasebooks, it's hard going! Here is the paperwork for a OGPW 1st I own - I can see that he also won the 2nd class, and another order - which one I'm not sure? If anyone can help with translating all this and giving me some info on the man's story, I would be most grateful. Cheers, Gilbert

Thanks Gerd, That site is great, I've already listed the awards in my small collection there. It will be interesting to see it grow. Cheers, Gilbert

Hi Gerd, The 'Alex Filer' database you mention sounds very interesting - how does one get access to it? Ta Gilbert

That's interesting, I recently got back from holidaying in Lindau, Germany where your man died. The plethora of HUGE turn of the C20th mansions on the lake shores there, most of which had wrought-iron gates with crests of one form or another, would fit in perfectly with the image of this island on the Bodensee being a suitable location for this aristo's twilight years. Gilbert

Thanks Guys, I owe it to myself and you to take some decent snaps of this thing - I agree that the evidence so far doesn't seem encouraging. Based on the info we do have so far, how do the measurements shape up? Cheers Gilbert

And here's a flatbed scan - any opinions? Many Thanks Gilbert

Hi Gents, After far too long, I have at last measured his piece accurately in hope of some definitive proof of it being a 'cast' or not. The dimensions from my specially-purchased electronic calipers are as follows: Thickness measured at 3 o'clock - 3.02mm Height measured at 6 o'clock - 39.32 mm Width measured at 3 o'clock - 48.66 mm Does this throw any light on the subject? Many Thanks Gilbert

I can believe that Ford received it - he was an ardent Nazi. There is a fascinating account of Hitler's attempts to woo him full-time to the nazi cause in a long-forgotten 1930's book by Ludecke called 'I Knew Hitler'. Gilbert

Wow - a truly amazing find! I followed this thread in anticipation but never expected to see such a low number - many many congrats! As Robin says, I think you can name your price on that on... Gilbert

Welcome Ross and good for you! I for one will be checking the site and the association out to see how things develop. Keep up the good work, Gilbert

Thanks for the kind words guys, I am very happy with this as a first result! I have some more researched pieces which I will scan and post up ASAP. Cheers Gilbert

The scans and first translations are now in for the OGPW2 to the KIA chap for those interested - posted in the relevant section. Cheers Gilbert

And here is Anton's first take on the translation - many many thanks to him! Post mortem 124 Award Sheet Family name, Surname and last name ? Scheblykin Ivan Stepanovitch. Rank ? sub-sergeant. 3. ? duties, unit ? mechanic-driver of an S. U. Of the 3rd battery of 62nd separate Self-running Artillery Division of 55th Guards Shooting Division. Is a candidate to award of Order of Patriotic war 2nd class. Year of birth ? 1918. 5. ? nationality ? russian. 6. Party membership ? none. Participation in the Civil war, later war actions connected with defense of USSR /where and when/ - Participating in Patriotic war from march 1943. Which wounds or contusions had during the patriotic war/ had got a wound at 12th of {april or july} 1943. Killed at 26th of October 1944. From what time in the Red Army. ? From the March of 1943 Which Regional Military Commission applied. ? Stalin?s City Military Comission of the city of Kazan?. What awards had got earlier/for what actions/. ? Does not have any. Constant living address of a candidate and address of his family. ? Voronezhskaya oblast, R_khaevskiy region, Khrenovoe village. Not married. Mother?s name Vera Ilarionovna. Clear and complete description of personal battle heroic action or valour _____________________________________________________________________ During the battles with german agressors, on the territory of East Prussia, comrade Scheblykin had shown a bravery. At 26th of October 1944, during the battle for the inhabited location {unknown abbreviation} yard Guli{unknown} supporting the infantry during attack comrade Scheblykin, being a mechanic-driver of the self-propelled gun bravely moved forward behind the enemy lines and point-blank fired the fire points of enemy. By his exact fire comrade Scheblykin destroyed 3 stationery machine-gun units, one anti-tank gun, suppressed the fire of one enemy mine throwing battery and killed up to 15 germans. Self-propelled gun was hit by the direct strike of enemy bomb and comrade Scheblykin tragically died. Comrade Scheblykin is to be a candidate for a high governmental award POST MORTEM. Commander of 62nd OSRAD Guards Captain (signature) Mishin. Stamp: 62nd Separate AntiTank Division {?} October 1944.

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Medal card, showing single medal...

Hi Gents, I was excited to receive my first piece of research into the Russian medals I own - a few of you might remember giving me advice on this (particular thanks to Dave!). This OGPW2 was the only medal awarded to Ivan Stepanovitch Scheblykin, SU mechanic-driver, KIA october 1944. What follows are the scans of his records, plus translation kindly provided by my good friend Anton from another forum. In my opinion, he was a bit of a hero and may have deserved more than the solitary OGPW2 - what are your thoughts? Any comments or further insights into the records gratefully received, Cheers, Gilbert

Thanks for the heads-up on this - it definitely sounds like a 'must-buy' item. Cheers Gilbert

Hi WM, Well thanks for clearing that up. I know as little about the Buffaloes as I do Freemasonry, I always assumed they were an American organisation - did their tentacles spread to the UK also? Cheers Gilbert

Hi WM, As requested - not a great scan but it shows enough. My logic in thinking masonic was simple - I googled the inscription and got a lot of results concerning masonic rites - it seems the 'deg' might be 'degrees' of seniority? As it has an English hallmark (I need to confirm the date) and given the fact that a lot of masons served in the Gret War, maybe our ma was a mason and this represented his initiation? Interested to hear your thoughts, Gilbert

Evening Gents, I today took delivery of a WW1 British group to a man from Kent, England who it seems was a recipient of the French Medaille Militaire. Attached to the ribbon of the MM was a bar inscribed with the following: 1st Deg. 21 Dec. 1919 Naturally, I first thought it something to do with the French MM, now I am starting to think it may be Masonic. I have taken it off the ribbon and it has the letters C U and what looks like a London hallmark. Can any learned gents here confirm or deny this? And if so, what is the significance? Cheers Gilbert

Nice purchase, you won't regret it! And for the record, I think this is THE best reference book I have come across for medals full stop. What makes it so nice to dip into is its accessiblity and a lightness of tone - I particularly like the bit where they have a rarity rating for the Order Of Victory - "you'll be lucky"! McDaniel's site seems to be dormant but due to the proliferation of certificates on collectrussia etc he is still keeping that side of the business going? Gilbert