Lapa

Doc, I'll try to lend a hand 1A: Otlichnik of Socialist Competition. No more details. Could be either civilian or military. 1B: Ural. No more details. 1C: 50th anniversary of some Artillery Academy (Uchilische) 1D: Tbilissi - St Nicholas Chruch - XIXth century 1E: Railways "Dorozhniy Soviet". Probably some sort of council on maintenance of the tracks. 1F: 50th Anniversary of creation of Socialist Competitions 1G: USSR Radio (sport) Federation 1H: State Competitions 1I: ? Philately Organisation 1J: ? Energy Engineering Institute / Hydro-coal (most likely the first letter corresponds to the location of the institute, eg Vorkuta) Marc

Wild Card, As I indicated, I am not fully certain what the abbreviation mean (the letter "Ch"); in any case, I don't think that it is the Arsenal. Marc PS: you were right, Kiev is indeed engraved on the back

Eddie, When writing in upper case, you do not use accents (same in French) Marc

Bob, It would seem to be OK so far. Skrynko was awarded the gold star 8808 by ukaz dated 10.04.1945. Marc

WildCard, I think that it is at best indirectly related. It is a badge commemorating the 5-yr plan 1928-1932 at the "КЧЗ" (К[иевский] Ч[асовый(?)] З[авод]). Probably an award to outstanding workers for early completion of the plan in 3 1/2 year. Marc

Etienne, To create an oddity that would appeal to collectors Marc

Chris, It looks like you've found the motherlode All the Soviet awards are original without a doubt. Marc

Slava, I'd love to see better scans of this order, especially of the medallion, but so far, my opinion leans toward Orders in this serial number range, and all later ones were of the type with the clock showing either 9:05 or 9:00. The flat clock face is an earlier variant, and highly unlikely to be. Marc

Belaruski, You can safely sell it as a copy. If you want a few pointers as to why, here goes: . wrong engraving style (this specific handwriting is actually found an various other fakes) . medallion is of a later type of order . ring too thin and not properly soldered . shape of the two top teeth (as seen from reverse) . poor fit of the pieces, etc Marc

Paul, I have... It is called 'iodine' Marc

Enzo, I did think about Khorezm, but I changed my mind about it as their symbolism is very different from what is shown here. Marc

Guys, guys, guys! Let's widen our horizons here. Two attempts, and Mitterand mentioned each time... OK, one more hint: it is an historical artefact. Marc

Enzo, The symbolism is very much in the style of civil-war era Central-Asian production, and especially of Bukhara. Marc

Ed, General of Navy Aviation Karpenko, Ivan Trofimovich. Photo taken 14 September 1945. Marc

Noor, I don't have any doubts about it, it is a nice original one. I was just wondering if it might be the full-ring variation as they occur in that SN range. Marc

Noor, Great stuff you got there Could you please post a (very) large pic of the front and back of the ring on your Bravery medal #2,402,832. Marc

KDVR, That is an Albanian Order of Mother's Glory 1st class for giving birth, raising and educating 9 children. It is the first variation, made in East-Germany by Prawema. Marc

KDVR, I think that it is a very late 1980's production from the Pobeda factory. Marc

Bryan, I'd say 1986 from the look of the sticker. Marc

Thank you Marco! Since you started in that direction, let's keep going. When M.S. Gorbachev last visited France as Soviet President, he brought with him a unique and unusual gift. 1) What was that gift? 2) To whom was it presented? Marc

Marco, I believe that I am Palmiro Toggliatti. In 1935, I was named secretary of the Komintern under the pseudonym of Ercole Ercoli. The city is Tolyatti, on the Volga, where AvtoVAZ (Lada) was established with the cooperation of Fiat. Marc

Marco, What can I say beside "Congratulations". This is as complete and perfect an answer as one could expect Interesting, when I ask questions that I think should be rather easy and straightforward, no one seems to find the answer, yet those questions that I though would be rather though to crack barely stand the test of a few hours. Go figure OK, Marco, your next up to bat! Marc

Paul, It is one indicator, but not a definitive test in itself. Marc

Christophe, Well, I definitely have to agree with you on this one, they are indeed rebuilding it. Just goes to show that being close to the source may not always be best. Marc

Right, let's get back to business. Here is a bit of a cryptic one for a change 3461 -> 347 -> 206 206 - 72 - 105 = 29 29 -> 20 One of six, I could have been first but ended up neither. My 2-part question is therefore pretty straightforward 1) What is the exact meaning of the figures above? 2) Who am I? Happy trails! Marc