TacHel

I thought the limitations were strictly on export... No?? Then I know 4 or 5 dozen collectors who better pray the militia doesn't start logging onto the faleristics forums.

Restrictions? What restrictions? I'm talking about prices within Russia. Outside of Russia, sure, it's illegal to export them and they don't come up very often, outside of Russia the prices would be higher.

All that you say above is true and common knowledge for ODMs in any country. I've been following Russian and Ukrainian auction and dealer web sites for well over 10 years, the Russians undervalue Ukrainian awards, the Ukrainians undervalue Russian awards... Although harder to find nowadays, lower prices weren't that rare then. As for a market, that's the prob, it is solely in Russia proper when dealing with State Awards (read again, I was quite clear about state, not ministerial), hence my statement, the market simply isn't there... The statement was, and must be taken in comparison with other ODM markets, Soviet or otherwise, in other words, a World market. Russian law prohibits this, the prices should stagnate very quickly has there isn't much chance of this changing in the near future. I've seen so many dealers asking for a high price for a medal stating it was the market price. If the darn thing isn't selling, then it isn't the market price. I wanted to purchase 2 Canadian coronation medals a few weeks ago at a gun show, they were $125 each, the seller said that's what they were worth because that's the price everybody was asking for them. I replied: and nobody's selling any of them... And I walked away with the schmuck scratching his head.

The back inscription says: I memory of the "du Fouratier" (?) post of the Foreign Legion. In honnour of an old and loyal servant. signed Captain something (Just a guess, seems to say) Innsbruck 3/3/1949 Your assumption of a period repair, IMHO, might not be that. Looking at the medal, its attachment and ribbon, I'd bet on a 100% local indigenous manufacture (Moroccan). A great find!! :jumping:

They've jumped around from $75 to $500 for no good reason whatsoever save the greed and/or stupidity of some sellers and buyers. The market simply isn't there, and taking into account how many have been awarded and are available for sale out there, these multi hundred dollar prices are nonsensical.

Paul, I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if you found an original for sale outside of Russia. Stay away from eBay for anything claiming to be a state award, 99.99% are copies. You'll find ministerial and departmental awards, but not original Russian state awards unless you're incredibly lucky. If you're really serious about getting one of these, you'll need somebody in Russia willing to buy it for you and ship it to you at his own risk. It is still illegal to export them.

... Don't feel sorry. I knew before buying it. $14...

Correct, the comment on the Russian forum is that both the cross and mount are fakes.

I cannot comment on the cross, I simply don't have the required experience in Imperial Russian awards... But as Igor suggests, you may want to be a bit weary of a seller making such a statement... I can take better pictures with my cheap cell phone! Considering the price one would pay for a real Cross of St George with original mount, you'd think the seller would make an effort to accomodate a potential buyer's curiosity wouldn't you? CAVEAT EMPTOR! (= FAIS GAFFE!)

Like I said, originally, yes, Order "For Merit to the Fartheland" was the successor to the Order of Lenin for both civilians and military but now... It's a gold watch for civil servants and military personnel who don't have high enough political connections to get a St Andrew or St George.

Wow! I had no idea they were so many different ones! And they seem to be in awesome shape! How fascinating! Thanks for showing us these great great items! :jumping:

Honestly, I'm suprised the Order "For Merit to the Fartheland" wasn't cancelled following the re establishments of the Orders of St Andrew and of St George. It went from the top Russian award to now merely being used to reward people who don't quite merit the 2 latter.

Neg, IMHO it replaced the Order of the Red Banner. I believe the all encompassing Order of Lenin was replaced by the Order of Andrew the Apostle the First Called.

So Rob... You collect trivets... And your wife collects... Heavy machine guns? Oh and Peter...

What, this one? http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/gallery/image/3524-order-for-valour/ Not that difficult to find... Not that expensive either... Below $150

When I find one, I'll try real hard to make it 2.

I was wondering if, considering the shape of the eagle, this might be a piece dating back to the 1870-1890 period...?

Badge "Veteran of the MES of Russia" Awarded to members of veterans organizations of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (including services, agencies, institutions and organizations attached to the ministry), with at least 10 years of service within the ministry and awarded a state or departmental award in the past 20 years, for active involvement in the promotion of civil defence, in the protection of the people and territories from emergency situations; for the dissemination of best practices and knowledge of actions in the aftermath of accidents and natural disasters; for significant personal contribution to solving the problems faced by veterans organizations of the MES of Russia; for the promotion and development of the veterans' movement.

Badge "Excellent Member of a Military Rescue Unit" Awarded to military personnel serving in military rescue units of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, for the achievement of high performance in combat training, for enhancing their professional qualifications, for courage, resourcefulness and initiative in the line of duty, for displaying high military discipline.

Medal "For Fire Prevention" Awarded to personnel of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (including services, agencies, institutions and organizations attached to the ministry) with seniority of at least 10 years within the ministry, for the effective implementation of high quality regulations to prevent, predict and mitigate the effects of fires, and the implementation of special supervisory and control functions on matters within the competence of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, and to other citizens for outstanding contribution to the development and improvement of preventive measures in the field of fire safety.

Medal "For the Salvation of the Drowning" Awarded to the most distinguished staff of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, and in some cases, to other citizens, for displaying courage, bravery and self-sacrifice in rescuing people from bodies of water; for the successful management of subordinates in the completion of a rescue from a body of water; for skilful and decisive actions and professional excellence in contributing to the prevention of accidents with people on bodies of water.

Five new MES awards were established on 28 June 2012 by ministerial order 372. -Commemorative Medal "Marshal Vasily Chuikov" -Medal "For the Salvation of the Drowning" -Medal "For Fire Prevention" -Badge "Excellent Member of a Military Rescue Unit" -Badge "Veteran of the MES of Russia" My apologies for the lack of quality photos, the images are straight out of the ministerial order, I have yet to find good photos of these new awards. Commemorative Medal "Marshal Vasily Chuikov" Awarded to personnel of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (including services, agencies, institutions and organizations attached to the ministry), and to other citizens, for many years of impeccable service to the cause of civil defence, for improving management, communications and the civil defence alarm system, for maintaining a high degree of preparedness.

No opinions? Thoughts?

It is a "Sahara" clasp for each individual decree, it's an omission from the web master, I'll e-mail him about it.

Sahara clasp: -Created by decree on 26 September 1900 for award to civil servants and military personnel for participation in operations in the extreme South of Algeria between 25 December 1899 and 26 September 1900. -(11 Dec 1900 decree) Awarded to French and indigenous military personel and goumiers who were part of the support and resupply column of the Foureau et Lamy mission that operated between Temassinine and Tadent from October 1898 to March 1899. -(24 Aug 1904 decree) Awarded to French and indigenous military personel who took part in the police operations in Southern Oran in April and May 1904, under the command of infantry batallion commander Pierron, operations that caused the incidents at Taouz ( 26 April ), at Ghabet Kerkour and Oglat Berda (3 May). -(24 Dec 1904 decree) Awarded to military personel who took part in the 1904 operations in Touareg country in the massif of Adrar. -(24 June 1905 decree) Awarded to French and indigenous military personel as well as to indigenous auxiliaries who took part in battle of Garat-Bouifa (Southern Oran) on 31 December 1904. -(9 Nov 1905 decree) Awarded to French and indigenous military personel who took part in the reconnaissance carried out in the Iguidi region under the command of the captain in charge of the Sahara Touat company from 1 November 1904 to 8 Januaryr 1905. There are another 45 or so decrees awarding this clasp for the Colonial medal. You can find it at http://www.france-ph...com/accueil.htm then click on Décorations (at left) then scroll down to Médaille Coloniale (1893). If you wish, I can translate the lot for you, tonight though, I'm simply too tired and am hitting the sack. Cheers!