TacHel

This is the index inside the cover showing the various squadrons covered in the booklet.

G'day gents, I found this rummaging through some of my old stuff. A booklet filled with cigarette cards of RAF squadrons. Although the cover's corners show a bit of age, all cards are there and in great condition. I'm wondering when this came out? All squadron data inscribed in it predates WW2. Also, is there a market for such things? Approximate value is possible? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2009/post-3030-1249678854.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2009/post-3030-124967886082.jpg

So, as veteran NCOs of Leopold II, this would approximately date it between 1865 and say, 1920ish?

Thanks! 2 QUESTIONS: 1- Is the bar actually worn at such an angle? 2- where on Earth can I find a full size one?

Hi, I've looked and looked, can't find anything on this one.

Actually, he's wearing a breast badge similar to the one below. There are currently dozens (if not hundreds) of them out there. The various ministries and departments produce them in GREAT QUANTITY as commemorative awards for award to deserving members. Another seemingly endless series of these badges are as unit/group/district identifiers. I've honestly lost track... Simply too many.

Ooooooooooooooooh! The bar (ribbon device) denotes a promotion within the Order from the ribbon mounted palms (below the medal in the Order's hierarchy). But the Palm "ribbon device" on the ribbon is for acts in war time. OK... I was confused also. Same word, different meanings. Thank you very much! I appreciate this. I am new to Belgian awards, I have about 2 dozen I picked up over the years here and there without really knowing what they were.

LMAO, I hadn't noticed. It does kinda look like it. :D

Well, as long as I have you on line. What about those "candy striped" bars on crosses 2 and 3?

Do not take for granted a medal is official (governmental) simply because the merchant/dealer posts a picture of a Russian soldier wearing one. The picture below shows 2 different uniforms. NOT veterans... NOT paramilitary... Actual serving "GENERALS" of the Russian Army. All are wearing unofficial awards. Umalatovas, St Nicholas Orders etc. The crack down on wearing such things obviously started at the bottom and is very, very, very, very slooooowly working its way up the chain of command.

So a Palm on this Order (and on the Order of Leopold) basically means a promotion within the Order, right?

Questions: 1- The central gold stripe on the ribbons, are those for heroic acts during war? 2- The 2 crosses at far left, are their centers black?

WOW! Look at all those doodads on the ribbons! Magnificent! Thank you! :cheers:

Thank you! :cheers:

Stunning bar! Pure eye candy! Thanks for sharing!

Can anybody tell me more about the Order of the Lion? All I could find was that is used to be an Order from the Belgian Congo but it also said it was adopted as a Belgian Order in 1910. What happened to it?

I was going to give you the same advice. When you mentioned opening it to flip the medal I could imagine gilding flaking off and pieces breaking off and a chill ran down my back. Best leave it as it is.

Stogieman makes a good point. A Bavarian would've normally mounted the EK2 2nd. Could this possibly be a Prussian decorated by a Bavarian unit? If so, he should be more easily identifiable.

Prussian medals were bestowed upon all participants, soldiers from Bavaria, Wurttemberg, Baden etc...

Both absolutely stunning items!

On where?

WOW! Awesome set! No Wilhelm der Grosse medal?

Very sweet! I can imagine it being quite scarce! Thanks for sharing, beautiful item!

#2 Looking alike doesn't necessarily mean being the same The medal below is well known to Soviet ODM collectors, the medal for combat merit. The medal below on the other hand is not known enough! This medal is being openly peddled on most markets as the modern Russian Federation version of the combat merit medal. IT IS NOT! It's a mere membership medal into the All-Russian public organization of veterans Combat Brotherhood. Not even as high as a Legion medal. Completely worthless. You'll see it advertised as "FOR COURAGE!" "FOR VALOUR!" "RARE!" It's bogus...

#1 - Bogus document to sell a worthless medal The medal below marking the war in the Caucasus was produced and distributed by a civilian organization. It was never bestowed by the government and is not allowed for wear by Russian soldiers or Militia. Yet you can plainly see the words "Министра Обороны" (Minister of Defense) on the document leading you to believe this is an official award. The document is bogus and the medal barely worth the metal it is made from. Hint, official Defense Ministry medals are identified as such (not minister but ministry) on the document and also directly on the medal reverse. This is the actual document that goes with this medal. The stamp is from the Organization of Veterans of Airborne Troops, purely vet/civilian. Akin a Legion medal.