TomP73

Thanks both! 👍

Hi all What do people think of this medal? Anything to worry about, any red flags etc? Cheers Tom

Thanks Graham 👍

Hi. Yes I think that is the case. Its a nicer material at least, not the cheaper polyester type ribbon sometimes found with new ribbons. The hanger hook as well is definitely newer than some of the older wire styles. Out of curiosity, does anybody know of any UK dealers who have a decent selection of Austrian/Austro-Hungarian WW1 medals? I have recently become more interested in this theatre of WW1 but in the UK few online dealers seem to carry these medals - this medal for example I picked up at a medal fair in Stockport. Cheers Tom

Fascinating, thanks very much for that info!

Hi both Thanks very much for both of your replies, both are extremely helpful. It is great to be able to establish which class of this medal it is, and roughly date it to the early/mid war period. Now that I know more I will be on the lookout for a later example with Emperor Karl I on it. A quick further question about this medal, I have seen examples (which based on this new knowledge appear to be later versions) with a different reverse, Instead of 'Der Tapferkeit' as on my example, it says 'Fortitudini' - Does this make it a different medal altogether or was this just an update on later versions? Thanks again, I really appreciate it Tom

Hi all Over the weekend I picked up my first and only Tapferkeitsmedaille from a medal fair. I'm struggling to find decent information online to assist but was hoping the experts on this forum can! The medal is silver and as per the 3rd picture has the 'A' hallmark on the rim denoting it is made from Silver (thats the most I have been able to suss so far). How can you distinguish between the 1st and 2nd class of this medal? I believe the 3rd class is Bronze, but for silver i am unsure how to tell them apart. Also in terms of age, am I correct in thinking this could have been awarded any time between 1848–1916 or is there a way of telling whether this is First World War or not? I also note the suspender looks to have been changed at some point with a more modern hook, the ribbon itself feels nice and old. Thanks in advance for any help! Tom

Hello Can anybody please assist me in deciphering any further details from this Tracer card? I have a group of 5 medals including a Territorial Efficiency medal and am trying to work out more details about this chaps wartime service. Beyond the card as well, would anybody have any more tips for further research? Cheers Tom

Hi all Can anybody assist in identifying a possible maker for this unmarked badge? Is these even possible with the General Assault Badges? Cheers! Tom

@SillyOldGrandad Hi Pete That is great advice, I will look into that forum. Thanks very much Tom

Hi Pete @SillyOldGrandad. Thanks for your reply. That is more specific and niche than I expected! Explains why I couldn't find much online with a quick search, thanks for assisting with your excellent knowledge. I am attending the Stockport Militaria fair this weekend so might see if anybody fancies it there since it doesn't fall in the scope of what I currently collect. Do you know whether this holds much value? Regular WW1 Manc Regt cap badges fetch between £5-£10 but I imagine this would be a more valuable example due to age and presumed rarity? If this isn't allowed then no worries and feel free to ignore! Cheers Tom

Hi Sorry for the slow reply. No rectangular stamp on the back. All the best Tom

Hi all I have come across this cap badge in my box of cap badges and was wondering if anybody can help me in identifying which era it is from or give any further info? I have a Manchester Regt cap badge from WW1 to accompany a group of Medals to a Manchester Soldier, and I have one of the later WW2 fleur de lis style ones as well, so I was wondering whether this was potentially earlier and Victorian? I might look to move this on anyway as my only Victorian medals I currently have are to a Fusilier and a Royal Engineer so would probably be more welcome in somebody else's collection! But until I know what I actually have I can't say for sure. Thanks in advance for any help! Tom

@Ferdinand Thank you for confirming, I will record those details as a likely match!

Thanks @Ferdinand for your help. Especially the clarity around the rifle division. I suppose there is no way of being 100% the recipient of this booklet & medal is the man on Podvig Naroda? I presume its not a comprehensive list of all named servicemen and women during the war and a name could be duplicated for different service people? Cheers!

Thank you for your reply. Does the booklet specify his rank at all? I don't suppose it includes a photo? (long shot I know!). Also from looking online I am struggling to locate the Rifle Division you mention, at least not one that includes the Order of Lenin Title. I can see one formed in 1940 which seems to have been wiped out, and the later one which was formed from the 10th Rifle Division NKVD. Is this anything you can help me decipher? Cheers!

Hi Guys Everybody has been so helpful with other posts, I really appreciate all of your assistance. This is actually one of the first Soviet medals I ever bought and at the time it came with the associated award document. Even though I've had it for years I still have no idea who it was awarded to. I would love to find out the recipient. The booklet is very worn and delicate but hopefully clear enough to make out the relevant details. Could anybody please assist? Thanks in advance for any help Tom

Very helpful, thank you!

@Egorka @Ferdinand Thank you both for your replies. Very interesting. So as far as we can tell, the card is to a female police Lieutenant who served with the NKVD during the war and we can be sure (as sure as we can with conjectural evidence) of this? But regarding the photo, it is certainly possible but not guaranteed as there are concerns about possible time needed for her promotion, but also its likely she would have been pictured with her other medals ORS, Combat Merit & Berlin etc? Thanks again Tom

Thanks @Egorka. I did find this recipient when searching the pamyat-naroda.ru website (that @Marcel B. made me aware of, thanks for this!). It lists: Air force 4th Air Force Main Battery Rap 98th Guards Artillery Regiment of the 48th Guards Rifle Division 10th Artillery Regiment 10th Regiment of the Leningrad Military District , 4 Apr GC , 98th Guards. OAP Long. Razv. RGK Main Command Reserve 98 gv. OAP Daln. Rev. RGK 2 VA Leningrad Military District 10 SBAP LVO Source: Yemets Maksim Parfenovich :: Memory of the People (pamyat-naroda.ru) I wasn't sure if it was the same recipient as none of the Military Units mentioned under his entry included the 331st Fighter Aviation Division, can we be sure it is the same man? I note the man in the photo is down as receiving the Liberation of Prague medal. Cheers Tom

@Egorka Thank you very much, this is amazing to have! Am I right in thinking this is just south of present day 'Jaunpils'? Just want to double check as I can't zoom in too much to your image without ruining the quality! I don't suppose it would be possible to email in higher quality? Cheers!

Hi Thanks for the clarification. If this was signed by a Colonel in the MVD, does this mean that her wartime service (given that this is a Victory in the GPW medal) would likely have been with the NKVD? Cheers Tom

Thanks very much!

Hi both Thanks very much for your help! All the best Tom

Amazing Marcel, thank you so much! I am always thrilled to be able to put a face to a name, it is such a privilege. Appreciate all of your help Tom