Lapa

That site may be of interest http://www.awards-orel.ru/pogran.html Marc

Christian, So far, Andrey has been successfully using a 3-level system: Type (Тип) - Variety (Вариант) - Subvariety (Разновидность). I already (long-ago...) re-classify my collection, and I exclusively use that system now. Marc

Ed, I just did in the post above... Marc

Wlodzimierz, I mean that you should catalog each item separately. Component 1: Breast Star There are 2 varieties to the brest star (enamel/stones) Component 2: Neck Badge There are 2 varieties (5/6 torches) each with 2 subvarieties (enamel/stones) Marc

Wlodzimierz, I think that you should not mix the brest star with the neck badge; in other terms, you should not treat this as a set, but as individual components, even though together they make up the 2nd class of this order. Marc

Ed, As much as I thought that Admiral Postnikov would be a tough question, I believe that this one should be easier. As to being a guessing game, I don't think that it needs to be. Let's simply put things this way: we may not know too well the history and events of the Eastern Front, beyond the obvious ones. So, one more hint: Christophe was, globally speaking, looking in the right direction... Marc

Christian, It might have been, but it is not Marc

Christian, It is a problem without being really a problem. If you go through the pages carefully, even if you do not read Russian, you can still figure out the types, the varieties and the sub varieties, as well as their respective serial number ranges. I agree it requires a little bit of attention, but one can do it without too much of a problem. I am sure that Andrew's is all for having his site also available in English, provided he gets some help to translate the mountain of information that is on the original site It seems to me that Igor (and others) still use PMD classification (please show me a PMD T2 Order of Lenin ), but also use additional classifications (Durov, etc) when it brings them some sort of advantage (a Veeeeeeeeeeeeeery rare sub-sub-sub variety...). Marc

Christian, Ok, so, since we are discussing in general terms and not so specifically about the piece you own, 8660 is 46 higher than the currently highest known specimen of this type/variation. By the way, I have long ago given up on McDaniel's classification, which I consider to be by now largely outdated. I use instead the Mondvor classification, which is much more correct, precise and accurate. So, according to that classification, your order is a Type 2 Variation 2 Subvariation 1, with an interval range of 6462 to 8614 (mine fits nicely in this range). As I mentioned above, is is a mere 46 higher than the current highest known SN; although the next variation (МОНЕТНЫЙ ДВОР mintmark) begins at 8637, I tend to think that there might have been some overlap in the use of the mintmark punches (it happened for some other orders). I personally think that yours might be the currently highest know SN for T2V2S1. Marc

Christian, You lost me there with your several few posts. Are you making both the questions and the answers? I guess you posted pics of your order to get the opinions of other collectors. As it is, I (for one) cannot tell anything from the pics you posted due to them being grossl out of focus. That is the only thing that I can tell so far given the material shown. Marc

Christian, Same again Pay attention to the fact that I did not simply write 'It is refered to as the "Soviet Verdun"'. Marc

Christian, Nice try, but see previous post addressed to Christophe Marc

Christophe, It would have been too easy, sorry Marc

Paul, Could you please post hi-res scans of the front and back of the medallion. The serial number is apparently too high for this variation, and I'd like to have a good look at it. Marc

Alexandre, You need to have a look at the book "Marshali i Admirali Sovetskogo Soyuza". It details the awards that every MSU and ASU received. Marc

Christian, The Russians often say that there is no point in tryng to understand a faker's logic, as there is none. Marc

Kristof, Is the serial number 2659924?

Christian, With such photos, anyone can really think whatever they like. Please post some clear, sharp, hi-res scans (or photos), then we'll be able to say something. Marc

Doc, Are the star embroidered? Marc

OK guys, let's try this once more This time, we are looking for a place. It is refered to as the "Soviet Verdun" in the former USSR. There took place one of the bloodiest battle of WW2; more than 300,000 Soviet troops were killed there, to which should be added the German deads (I don't have any figures about them, but I've been told it was awfully high too). 1. What is the Russian name of the place? 2. Where is it located? What front was it part of? 3. What was the maximum size (approximate) of the battlefield? 4. How long did the battle last (beginning/ending dates)? 5. What was the first unit engaged in the opening battle? 6. What is there today? Let's have fun

Knarf, As far as I know, it was the Royal Corps of Transport. Marc

Frank, Wasn't the British train called "The Berliner"? Marc

Nice one Bill! Marc

Enzo, The Bronze winner medal was discontinued in 1984. By the way, the 1984-type silver medal exists in 2 variations: with mirror fields and with satin-like fields (USAirForce's one). Marc

Elmar, That is a very nice specimen you got there. If only it could tell its story Marc