Alex K

I have to agree, the cross is unworn, comes with a folded piece of ribbon and it's presentation case. just my thoughts regards Alex

Hi kevin, I've checked GWF earlier , and you're correct it was answered, possibly before my post here was put up. regards Alex

Thanks for the info everyone Alex

Can any of our far east experts identify this medl, posted on the GWF? regards Alex

This is all very interesting Alex

Yup I agree, extremely nice pair of caps. congrats Alex

Hi Dave, no this piece should not be restored because it is as history intended, a genuine recipients piece, worn with pride, and the evidence to prove it, thats how it left the recipient's possesion. I think it's fantastic when you can obtain a decoration and also find positive proof that it was a worn piece, (Photo), I would display both medal and photo with pride in my little den! regards Alex

Hi Jim, thanks for your input. Again a very strong opinion with which a can't actually disagree. How ver just to muddy the waters slightly again (And this is where opinions may well once again differ), attached is an unofficial award I believe from the Kyffhauserbund (Spelt correctly?) which is an unofficial decoration for vets. The enamel has been repaired at some stage, I personally believe although I have no evidence, that it was done possibly by the recipient ity does appear to period, I don't think it's modern. As this may have been done by the recipient, has the repair devalued the piece to a collector. It didn't devalue it to me, although I would have prefered a flawless piece, BTW made by H C Timms Berlin regards Alex

Hi kevin, yes just noticed that the blue colour is the same as the actual medal bar, I'll keep an eye open just in case a bar presents itself. It would be nice to re-unite them and so restore the decoration to what it must have looked like once. Alex

Hi Marcin, could be right, now that i look, GD on it's side, thanks for the opinion regards Alex

ring

Hi would any of the EK experts recognize this Maker mark on an EKII? sorry about the poor scan of the ring but I hope it's sufficiently clear to view. regards Alex

Hi Kevin that's a nice flag to have on the wall in the bedroom As the FDJ was primarily an early 1950's organization, I assume that it is now quite old, or did the FDJ continue throughout the existence of the DDR? regards Alex edit, spelling mistake!

Hi Wild Card, yes I was being slightly light hearted, on a slightly more serious note, this thread has indeed shown that there are a large number of very differing opinions on what is obviously a very emotive subject. It sometimes helps to step back, inwardly digest comments made, and be reflective as to some of the very good points made. In the end it's about sharing info and views, if that eventually leads to a better understanding of how people view this hobby or the artifacts we generally collect then it's been worthwhile excercise. I'm sure it will continue regards Alex

Hi Uwe, thanks for correcting me on Roosevelt, It just looked like him. Wilhelm Pieck would make more sense. I think my piece is aluminium as it's too light for bronze although it has a bronze look to it. I must try to keep an eye open for the suspension device. regards Alex

Hi Wild Card, now from my point, with a little tin of red paint....... ?only joking regards Alex

Thanks for the info. I assume the other guy with stalin, is Roosevelt, why would he be on a 1950 piece when he was no longer around? Alex

Picking up on the restoration/repair thread, I am not a soviet expert but I am however interested to learn, do these modifications actually increase or decrease their desirability amongst soviet era collectors, bearing in mind that these would have been carried out by the actual recipients of the awards. They are obviously not as they would have been awarded originally. Alex K

I assume therefore that it was obviously not a military decoration but a civil award. It is very light in weight, aluminium or similar alloy, very similar to many soviet block currency coins of the time

so was that with a full size medal?

Another one in my collection, Imperial EKII mounted on an Austrian STYLE tri-fold ribbon. The ribbon is not the not the normal 40mm width, but the standard Prussian issue width. It does however have all the appearance of being a period mounting, was this common at the time? regards Alex K

An interesting possibility, not thought of that, maybe he should have left it as it was and just sewn the awards to the ribbon to stop them jingling about, we will never know. BTW a very interesting thread this has become regards

Extremely nice cap, I must be honest, those must be the fattest cap-cords I think I've ever seen, I like fat cap cords regards Alex K

Hi Carol I, that's the reason for asking, it was obviously no accident, but purposely done, which does seem slightly odd. regards