Lapa

Hi Everyone,

I could really use some help identifying 1A-1J and the writing on the back of the dog tag. I'm still trying to learn Russian. Howeber, 28 meds have affected my memory and retention. This has made this nothing less than a struggle. Your help is appreciated!!!

Doc

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

Lapa,

Thank you for your information.

Because of the similarity of the centers of the two badges (theme of Revolutionary Workers and what could be construed as the same buildings) along with what I think is the word "Kiev" on the reverse of my piece, I thought that they might be related.

With your information, I am thinking that my badge might be an award for, as you put it, "commemorating the 5-yr plan 1928-1932 at the..." at The Arsenal. Does this make sense?

Thank you again and,

Best wishes,

Wild Card

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

Just one other point I noticed, it is decribed as the Medalla "Jos? Tey"

Where is the accent in Jos? on the medal?

Regards Eddie.

Eddie,

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

Marc

A colleague of mine (she's ukranian) is visiting her home country and a friend of hers has following group for sale:

Skrinko Vasilii Grigorievich

Hero nr 8808 (10 april 45)

Lenin 107497

Khmelnitsky 1170

...Plus some "smaller" items and docs.

Before making her go to big effort to arrange high res scans I first wanted to check in hero encyclopedia whether the group is possible (echoes of war does provide circumstantial evidence to support so but getting nr to match from encyclopedia would be best) but mine is still in storage somehwere in germany:(

Could somebody help me out?

If real and should I not acquire it then I'm happy to pass connection on to anyone else.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

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

Marc

Gentlemen,

I realize that this badge (pictured below) is not the same one as the one for which Ed's document was issued; but I think that it might be related.

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

And why the heck is the serial number is the center medallion and not in the upper arm of the star?

Etienne,

To create an oddity that would appeal to collectors

Marc

Thanks Rick

What's your thoughts on authenticity. Was the price to good to be true IYHO. This dealer apparently splits some groups if they aren't mounted together so i have to try and get research fingers crossed some of these may belong to the same individual.

Cheers

Chris

Chris,

It looks like you've found the motherlode

All the Soviet awards are original without a doubt.

Marc

To all:

Currently available on the well-known auction site. Looks like a heretofore unknown variant to me.

Regards,

slava1stclass

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

I dont like the patina on that. I have never seen that on silver before.

Paul,

I have... It is called 'iodine'

Marc

Hello,

thank you very much for the information and help.

Yes, the medal is large and I think it is neither a watch's chain pendant, nor a jetton. I can't read the lettering in the scroll under the Hammer and Sickle symbol, but yes, style and manufacture are those we see on ornaments made in Central Asia.

I've spent most of yesterday night searching through old catalogues and books, but no success (I am sure that the book/catalogue where I've seen that piece is the one I've lost or hired or... whatever.

Could it be Khoresm?

Best wishes,

Enzo

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

Dear Marc,

that visit took place in Latch?, the country-residence of President Mitterand, end of October 1991 - AFTER the "Patriotic Action" of August 1991.

...

Christian

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

Naming on reverse.

Ed,

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

Marc

Thanks Marc,

Here is the picture. I hope its helps? Any doubts about this medal???

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

Hi collector friends

Who has an idea about that Albanian medal?

How much is its approx. value?

Please post a complete one - with the corresponding ribbon.

Thank you!

KDVR

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

Hi collector friends

What's your opinion about that U.S.S.R. paratrooper badge?

Thank you!

KDVR

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

So here it is! Italian/Soviet related question!!

I was a really important Italian political figure. Stalin liked me a lot and even proposed me an important political position. And I also had a city in USSR named after me!

Who Am I?

Which position did Stalin offer me?

What's the city?

What was done in this city that was really famous?

Good Luck!

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

Nice question!!

The Central Committee of the Soviet Union Communist Party and the Ministry Council of USSR singed an order on cosmonaut training in May 1959.

S.P. Korolev proposed: For that kind of business we need experienced pilots, first of all, jet-fighters pilots. A jet fighter pilot is a required universal person. He flies a single-seat, high-speed jet in the stratosphere. He is a pilot, a navigator, a radio operator, a flight engineer and ?

3461 jet fighters pilots aged up to 35, applied for cosmonaut candidates, were considered during the first selection. Only 347 were invited for the initial interview. After the interview and medical examination 206 pilots were allowed for the further medical examination at The Central Air Force Scientific and Research hospital from October 1959 to April 1960. Then out of 206 pilots admitted to the Central Hospital 72 pilots refused from passing next medical examination, 105 pilots did not pass it because of health problems. Later, out of 29 pilots who succeed in all the medical tests only 20 people were selected and enrolled as first cosmonaut-students.

[...]

The first group of six cosmonauts (they were Yu. A. Gagarin, G.S. Titov, G.G. Nelubov, A.G Nikolaev, P.R. Popovich, V.F. Bykovsky) took their tests on readiness to fly the Vostok space vehicle on January 17 and 18,1961.

So.. out of these 6:

Gagarin was on Vostok 1

Titov was on Vostok 2

Nikolaev was on Vostok 3

Popovich was on Vostok 4

Bykovsky was on Vostok 5

Tereshkova was on Vostok 6

Poor guy Nelubov was arrested in 63 for being drunk and hence was kicked out of the program and hence didn't end up going in space!

So Nelubov is our man!

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

I know that one of the ways to check for doctored pieces of documentation is to place them under a ultra violet light which will reveal if they have been spiced up a bit.

Paul

Paul,

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

Marc

Now, the Moskva before it has been dismantled and currently rebuilt...

Ch.

Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

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

Christophe,

I don't believe that I am; that is the information that has been going around here for a few years already.

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