paul wood

Only a Kiwi could work that out. Well done Grahame. Paul

Alas the gazette site is playing silly buggers at present. Paul

I am truly envious cazack. If you ever tire of it i would happily give it a good home. Paul

They are both locally soldered. The ornamental may be a repair. Paul

Alas the gentleman mentioned was a high priest of the shrine of Onan. The RVO is not returnable (the Chain, a seperate decoration, is). There have always been those in corridors of power who have considered an interest in phaleristics as a sin against the Holy Ghost. Interestingly when it suits them they are only too pleased to solicit our assistance. Enough like Toby Shandy I am riding my hobby horse. Paul

A miniature i assume as it is unnumbered and classed Paul

Great War Bravery medal of St. George 4th class. Looks Ok value around $150 Paul

They will just assume you are a Star Wars or Trekkie nerd. Paul

Very nice I hope his insurance is up to date. Paul

I have always put items of numismatic interest on the customs form as very few people know what it means (and it covers a multitude of items). For value i put as enclosed invoice (and put a document with value inside). Touch wood i have never had problems with overseas customs and nothing has ever gone missing although one parcel got buried in Florida customs for 2 months before resurfacing. Paul

There was a large Swedish contingent in Russian service. Both military and civil. Could explain the apparently random order Paul

Utter rubbish i have been sending war medals and decorations to Germany and the USA by uk tracked mail services for 41 years without any problem. .There is a harmonised customs code 07550000 i think (check) which should be placed on customs label which eases despatch. Shoot the postal employee. Paul Dont know how double post occured. Gunner 1 has it correct and has correctly remembered the harmonised code (i didn't have it to hand). It is bad when people who should know better give such incorrect info. I would suggest Duncan you use a different post office. Paul

Utter rubbish i have been sending war medals and decorations to Germany and the USA by uk tracked mail services for 41 years without any problem. .There is a harmonised customs code 07550000 i think (check) which should be placed on customs label which eases despatch. Shoot the postal employee. Paul

Russian orders correctly identified from around the 1840s if that is helpful. Paul

Yours is chipped as is usual as the enamel work is quite brittle. They are readily available on the market as they were awarded in huge numbers. They can be purchased for no more than 50 dollars Paul