Alex K

You'll have do us a before and after picture so that we can see the difference. regards Alex

Fine, no problem with that regards Alex

Hi hunyadi, thanks, what a fantastic set-up, are the decorations original to the tunic/owner?, thanks for showing regards Alex

Don't know too much about Hungarian uniforms, do any of our other experts in this field know what colour it would have been, Field grey or some more exotic colour. thanks

Yep, they screw everything up eventually Difficult to tell from the pics, but one piece casting?

Interesting thread on TENO here http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31362&hl=

As with most things contracted out to private entrepeneurs unfortunately, isn't that happening now with currents British gongs? Rhodium plated plastic next.

Quality suffers then?

Interestingly the one you posted seems to have a higher level of detail which I would expect from a British mint, presumably it's not been dunked in battery acid?!, even calcutta produced

Don't disagree, however you Burma Star appears to have disappeared from you original post, I assume you later posts are the same medal and another?

Here I have to agree with you and Ed, some were minted in the calcutta mint and I believe are of slightly less "Tight" finish and thinner than their Brit counterparts, I would not in any way discount cleaning in battery acid OMG!! , I know from previous (Other) posts by Ed that this appears to have been a common practice in that part of the world. Maybe your Burma star is a victim to this process, that's why I flagged it up in my original post as a bit dodgy, in as much that it's appearanceis less than I would expect from a British minted example, It may well be an original, if slightly weatherworn example. I tend to favour original based on other postes made.

It's a TENO (Technische Nothilfe) organization, and not Luftwaffe. Briefly, this was a paramilitary orginazation which basically was a "technical Help" outfit and did many "Civil" duties", regards Alex

With regards to B Powell, this link might help regards http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-honours-hungary.htm

Hi Lilo, bit consusing, as attached an example of another ribbon, don't know if it belongs to the cross though. regards

I would say that they are alright, The Burma Star, looks slightly odd, perhaps it's the photo or scan, attached is a known original for comparison. regards Alex The one to look out for is the Aircrew Europe which has been heavilly faked

Hungarian Ambassador also wearing the Commanders Class. From Life/Wikipedia

Here are officer and Knights crosses of the Order

One from life showing the Reichs Adler from the Reichs Kanzlai being removed and carted off to Moscow where it now resides, Sone awsome souvenir Alex

Don't normally use image hostings site but due to limited size available on the forum attached http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5348/colonialme0.jpg

I would say that you'd be safe with a good soak in soapy water as it appears to be a british bronze medal without any specific surface finish. regards Alex Oops double post

I would say that you'd be safe with a good soak in soapy water as it appears to be a british bronze medal without any specific surface finish. regards Alex

Mike is obviously quite right here, you mention that they were brass or bronze, are these the original metal without any specific surface finish applied at the time of their manufacture? if not then cleaning as mentioned in previous posts shouldn't harm them. If however a specific surface finish was applied when manufactured, you may destroy it. That being said, if they have obviously been cleaned with a silver polish at some stage (The one you now wish to remove) then the damage may well have been done many years ago. got any photo's to give us a better idea.? I have cleaned some British medals both bronze and silver in a similar way, as these are "As they come" metal, they have in time once again regained a natural "Patina" but without the crud and no visible signs of damage, so as you say, once removed, who would know that it was there in the first place. Just a thought regards Alex

agreed, with other posts, give them a long good soak in mild (Warmish) soapy liquid for a protracted period and then with a soft paint brush (1 inch size should do it, agitate the brush into the crevases and in no time all the acumulated cleaning crud should come off without any harm to the underlying medal, be sure to use a soft brush. regards Alex

I tend to agree mine attached regards Alex

Top row no 3, Possibly Hanseatic Kreuz Hamburg which he did recieve, White, red White, any thoughts