TacHel

Actually. tolerated means exactly that. On the uniform of a serving soldier. You can't really enforce rules on civilians or vets. Notice the last 2 ribbons? Volontaires and Blessés.

Answers inserted into the quote above...

Interesting article on this subject CLICK HERE

It's a "Médaille Militaire" (Military Medal). Second only to the "Légion d'Honneur" (Legion of Honnor) in the French order of precedence when it was created. (It was later bumped down a notch by the Ordre de la Libération). Instituted in1852 by Napoleon III. The Military Medal is issued to any non-commissioned officer or enlisted personnel who distinguishes himself by acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. Commissioned officers are not eligible. An interesting feature of this medal is that it is also the supreme award for leadership, being awarded to generals and admirals who had been commanders-in-chief. This particular example dates from the 4th Republic, 1946-1958. You can tell from the single star at the bottom of the obverse. (5th rep has 3 stars, 3rd rep has "1870") It's in good shape and with the case. As for value... You might be a bit disappointed. The only ones I've seen with any real value were from the 2nd Empire with the Imperial Eagle on top (in lieu of the breast plate and weapons on the suspension) with Napoleon III's face. Below are the 3 other models described above. Left to right, 2nd Empire, 3rd Republic, 5th Republic.

Roman or Dragomir, please, I need help translating the words below: наиболееотличившихся = ? nivetserkovnogo = ? времениучреждения = ? вознаменование = ? Первоначально = ? равноапостольного = ? инославных = ? длянаграждения = ? предстоятели = ? заплодотворные = ?

WOW! Talk about beautiful and incredibly historical items! Awesome eye candy! Thanks for sharing them with us!

I'm not 100% sure... But that looks like the ribbon for a Belgian Red Cross medal. Possibly a long service award in the Belgian Red Cross?

Would Metropolitan translate into bishop then? митрополита = епископ?

Tsarevich = Grand Prince or Crown Prince.

Ahhhhh... Thank you. Спасибо! Extremely informative thread!! I finally found the order of precedence for Russian Federation State Orders and Decorations, how exactly do religious orders fit in all of this? After State awards?

What does "Metropolitan" stand for in this case? Guardian? Patron Saint?

Hello Roman! Great pictures! Спасибо! Here is my "attempt" at a translation: * The Order of Saint Andrew the First * The Order of Saint Vladimir * The Order of Saint Olga * The Order of Saint Innocent * The Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh * The Order of Saint Daniel * Order of the Holy Martyr Trifon * The Order of Prince Demetrius * The Medal of Saint Innocent * The Medal of St. Sergius of Radonezh * The Medal of Saint Daniel

Hello Roman! You are correct. I uploaded the wrong picture. The proper one is now up. Below is the picture I accidentally had uploaded. You're right, in the 2 at right they are religious Orders, my bad, I originally mistook them for St Nicholas Orders. The one at left though is clearly a St Nicholas Order. (See pic below) Has this Order been recognized by the Russian Orthodox Church?

Our Sergeant Major Addenda: Sergeant-Major Harper

And just in case you missed the other post on the subject... The medal below is a never adopted prototype. You WILL see them for sale, be aware of its true nature. A pure fantasy piece.

Back to #2... Looking alike doesn't mean being the same! Below are the medals for Distinguished Service used in the Soviet awards system from 1974 to 1990 and in the Russian Federation from 1990 to 1995. Below is a medal you will find almost everywhere, eBay and many dealers. It is a never adopted prototype. Although of extremely good quality (better than the 2 above except for the attachment), it is a fantasy piece.

Most collectors will recognize the Soviet medals below established in 1974 in 2 classes. A quick peak at eBay or dealer's catalogs will show you their market value has sky rocketed as of late. God only knows why... What most people do not know, and which I just very recently learned myself from new Russian sources, is that these 2 medals were retained in the awards system of the Russian Federation by a 1992 decree. The were retained "as is", no change whatsoever, same ribbon, same colours etc. They were gradually phased out starting in 1994 when the new state awards were established. The last ones awarded were mostly to MVD troops for services in the Chechen Republic in 1995. Do not be surprised to find some with an award document dated after 1990. But none were awarded after 1995. They have now been removed from the RF awards system.

Medal "70 Years of the Economic Security Units of the MVD of Russia". Instituted on 7 February 2007 by decree of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Awarded to personnel of the economic security staff of the Interior Ministry of the Russian Federation for achievements in operational performance and management; to civil servants and employees for faultless service and/or the promotion of the units of economic security; citizens and foreign nationals who provide substantial assistance to units of the economic security of the MVD in the implementation of their tasks.

Very nice. Let me know if you'd like Canadian ones. BTW, RSMs are not scary... They're misunderstood.:whistle:

Thanks! I hadn't even noticed the uni lingual and bilingual differences. I must admit at being a little surprised that a recent piece would be so much superior to an older one. Tendencies in many countries are completely opposite.

Good question, I'll keep my eyes open! And if you find out which decorations they now use (medals or crosses with new emblem), please let me know.

I have two Gold Medals of the Order of Leopold II with very striking differences. Notice the difference in curvature between the cross arms, #2 is devoid of the "wave" seen on #1. Also, the suspension point is quite different. #1 is a single piece rather thin medal. #2 on the other hand is almost twice as thick and of 3 piece construction as shown in the pic above. Are we simply dealing with different makers? Different eras? Which is the newer if that is the case?

Oh I'm not attempting to sell it. Mere curiosity. I've been (finally) cataloging all of my militaria for insurance purposes... A task that is nearly 30 years overdue.

Thanks! Made in 1937, value 30 pounds.

The pictures did not attach... When you click on ATTACH FILES it will only upload them, you also have to click on ADD TO POST (right side).