TacHel

I found ministerial order 2244 of 18 November 2011 (200 Years of the Military Topographical Department of the General Staff), the ribbon on the photo is correct. Now to find order 110 from 2008...

I just checked the web sites of 2 European and 1 North American dealers, they hold multiple examples of both variants all advertised as original... I honestly had never noticed this before. Any expert opinion on this?

And these are to a single recipient? And you can prove it with the paperwork? I didn't think you could still find treasures like this! Did you win the lottery? This is worth a small fortune! Put aside the fact they're to the same person, they're all worth hundreds of $$$ each... Add to that the provenance and shear number of awards... DAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

Me too... Walking the streets of Wiesbaden and seeing all of the history undamaged by war, I can only imagine all that was lost for ever in Berlin, Dresden...

Saw this at the Montreal gun show this afternoon and found it quite interesting. The seller asked me to make him an offer but I honestly have no idea as to the potential value of such a piece. It's heavy, easily weighs a few pounds, unsure if it's pewter, silvered brass... You tell me. It's a good 14-15 inches across. The only mark on the back was "H K". What are your thoughts? I'll be seeing this seller again in 8-9 weeks when the event returns... What do you think it's worth? Anybody interested in it? I could put you in contact with the seller...

The original establishment decree of 6 Feb 1934 says any and all holders of the "fire card", anybody that had come under fire. One would think the members of the Force Publique meeting this prerequisite would be eligible.

Are you suggesting these might be fakes? Their low value kind of contradicts such an undertaking don't you agree? Different makers?

His bio on Russian Wiki says: заслуженный артист Российской Федерации (1997) (Honored Artist of the Russian Federation) ORDER http://document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1172406 народный артист Российской Федерации (2002) (People's Artist of the Russian Federation) ORDER http://document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1036527 After the Order of Friendship, it says "medals"... Now, I can accept he "might have" a few medals like the Медаль «За Боевое Содружество» (Military cooperation/brotherhood medals) or Медаль «За Содействие» (medal "For the Promotion of...") from various ministries and departments, I've seen other artists receive them simply for appearing at functions or concerts in honour of said ministry or department, but an officer's commission and a chest full of gongs? Nope...

Gifts from fans??????????? Some fans have slightly diverging opinions of our TV celebrity... http://idiot.fm/2013/06/13/potomu-chto-myi-pilotyi/ According to his bio, these are the ONLY awards he ever received: http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-94929700-1389377634.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-33145900-1389377657.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-24427100-1389377668.jpg There is no mention anywhere of him having ever served in the military, not even in interior troops. Maybe this photo was taken when he ran for the State Duma thinking a military past would get him votes? He looks like a drunken Santa who fell in the XMas tree!

That man isn't wearing a single real award... Except maybe the badge for participation in combat ops of interior troops... What do you think the chances are he really earned it? Sad...

If you remove the Umalatovas, the medals of the communist party and of the various public organizations, a few of them won't even have a name tag left!! Who is this general? That's the rank insignia of a lieutenant-colonel... In an air force uniform... Wearing Interior Ministry, Border Service, Umalatova and public medals, decorations and badges... I'll watch the video at home, I'm at work now and our system blocks Youtube.

I'd better understand the creation and reason for being of the Medal "For Labour Valour" (Медаль «За трудовую доблесть») if the order would've simultaneously cancelled the Medal "For Merit in Financial and Economic Activities" (Медаль «За Заслуги в финансово-экономической деятельности») and the Medal "For Merit in Management Activities" (Медаль «За Заслуги в управленческой деятельности»). Why create the Medal "For Courage During a Rescue" (Медаль «За смелость во имя спасения») when the MVD already has the Medal "For Valour In Service" (Медаль «За Доблесть В Службе») and the Medal "For Bravery in a Fire" (Медаль «За Отвагу На Пожаре») which could easily fit the bill. Not to mention the state awards established specifically for that: the Order of Courage (Орден Мужества) and Life Saving Medal (Медаль «За спасение погибавших»). And if that isn't enough, the MTsS (МЧС) also has dedicated awards for this that could span inter-ministerial boundaries: the Medal "For Bravery in a Fire" (Медаль «За Отвагу На Пожаре») and Medal "For the salvation of the drowning" (Медаль «За спасение погибающих на водах»), Minuscule amendments to some award prerequisites and criteria would've amply sufficed. The Medal "For Impeccable Service in the MVD" (Медаль «За безупречную службу в МВД»), simply change 20 years for 25 and you have the "Veteran of the MVD" medal (Медаль «Ветеран МВД»). And since the recipient will be receiving his or her 20 year service medal anyway on that day... Why bother with a 2nd award for basically the same thing? The Medal "For Merit in Service in Special Circumstances" (Медаль «За заслуги в службе в особых условиях») is borderline ludicrous... There are also 5 or 6 other ministerial and state awards that already amply fit the bill. This is just weird... IMHO...

I'm starting to believe you might be right... Seems to be a lot of overlap with existing awards.

The same order also creates the following 4 medals: Medal "For Courage During a Rescue" Awarded to police officers, soldiers of Interior Troops of Russia, federal civil servants and employees of the Interior Ministry of Russia for displaying courage and dedication in rescuing people during natural disasters, on water, underground, when fighting fires or in other circumstances. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-65421400-1389219221.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-23744000-1389219229.jpg Medal "For Merit in Service in Special Circumstances" Awarded to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, servicemen of Internal Troops of Russia, federal civil servants, employees of the Interior Ministry of Russia already awarded the Decoration "For Distinguished Service in Special Circumstances”, for high performance in service and diligence in the performance of tasks during a period of martial law, a state emergency, an anti-terrorist operation, in the context of an armed conflict, in the aftermath of accidents, natural or man-made disasters or other emergencies. Medal "For Labour Valour" Awarded to federal civil servants and employees of the Interior Ministry of Russia for many years of fruitful work, achievements in performing duties, high work quality, the successful implementation of tasks entrusted to bodies of internal affairs or internal troops of Russia, for contribution to the improvement of activities. (I'm truly surprised this one took so long to appear!) http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-14742100-1389219479.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-09841600-1389219488.jpg Medal "For Impeccable Service in the MVD" Awarded to police officers and servicemen of internal troops of Russia, with length of service of 20 years or more and previously awarded departmental distinctions of the Interior Ministry of Russia, for excellent service and significant contribution to the development and improvement of the Russian Interior Ministry. (I don't understand this one, the criteria are those of a "veteran's medal" but the MVD already has one.) http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-26202700-1389219626.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-01983100-1389219640.jpg

Order 989 of the Interior Minister of Russia dated 31 October 2012 added the following awards available for bestowal by the MVD. Decoration "For Distinguished Service in Special Circumstances" Awarded to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, servicemen of Internal Troops of Russia, federal civil servants, employees of the Interior Ministry of Russia, for high performance in service and diligence in the performance of tasks during a period of martial law, a state emergency, an anti-terrorist operation, in the context of an armed conflict, in the aftermath of accidents, natural or man-made disasters or other emergencies. Decoration "For Excellent Service in the MVD" 1st class Awarded to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia with at least 10 years of continuous service in one of the bodies of the MVD already awarded the decoration 2nd class, for courage and selflessness demonstrated in the line of duty, for achieving high results in personal performance, for marked improvement of professional skills, for the development and introduction of new working methods to improve the efficiency of MVD bodies. Decoration "For Excellent Service in the MVD" 2nd class Awarded to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia with at least 5 years of continuous service in one of the bodies of the MVD, for courage and selflessness demonstrated in the line of duty, for achieving high results in personal performance, for marked improvement of professional skills, for the development and introduction of new working methods to improve the efficiency of MVD bodies. Medal "For Contribution to Strengthening the Rule of Law" Awarded to citizens of the Russian Federation and other persons for their significant contribution to strengthening the rule of law, improving the legal regulations of bodies of internal affairs, for the training of qualified personnel for the bodies of internal affairs, for assisting law enforcement bodies of the Russian Federation in the discharge of their duties. This medal really stands out with its straight mount! Wouldn't you know it, this is the ONLY award in the extensive order where the location where it should be worn isn't mentioned! Right breast? Left breast? Above others, below? *SIGH*

The protection of the British Empire? From the Germans? Really? The 2 excellent allies of the 19th century? The 2 armies sharing common battle honours against common foes? The 2 countries sharing the same royal family? I remember reading on how a young MP by the name of Winston Churchill highly praised Germany for its remarkable social programs during a pre WW1 state visit, and how honoured he would be to be able to introduce such programs back home... The British Empire chose the French side because it couldn't afford France to lose the war and default on its debt to it! Economics pushed the UK to the French side... Otherwise they might've probably stayed out of it if at all possible. Had they respected traditions and historical alliances, they would've joined with the Germans and turned France into a parking lot... There isn't a European crowned head of head of state with clean hands in this mess of a war...

Silver bars...

I'll see your medal and raise you a cross... http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-91444400-1388967021.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-22243200-1388967055.jpg

What do you think of this "post 1954" cross. Are these mere attempts at producing one? Are they actual production items that simply haven't been awarded?

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-94005900-1388936018.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-3030-0-07282300-1388936026.jpg The 1865-1905 and 1865-1909 variants. Anybody know where I can find a 1885-1909 variant and how much they go for?

Many different makers...

No such retards back then...

They are both Canadian command badges. On the left is the badge for "Air Command" of the Canadian armed forces, we jokingly referred to it as "chicken in a basket"... Not been worn since 1986. On the right is "Maritime Command" also of the Canadian armed forces. When the CF had a single green uniform for all services (yuck!), the "Air Command" badge meant you worked for the air force, the "Maritime Command" meant you worked for the navy...

SWEET!!!