Ed_Haynes

I, too, have seen this ribbon used. I haven't been able to determine if it is legitimate or is just one more of those fantastic medal and ribbon mis-matches that infest Afghan awards. Unfortunately, the number of "liberations" that Kabul has had to endure over the last few decades means (among other things) that little survives of the archives and libraries that once contained the information we need to sort these out.

I just wish he'd be better in (1) customer communication and (2) order fulfillment.

Gaafar Muhammad an-Nimeiry, head of state 1969-85. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaafar_Nimeiry

Their multi-purpose explanation is that all their records were destroyed in the Blitz. (Not true, by the way.) They use this excuse even for post-WWII records. In reality, and here I very much sympathize with them, they are a working business and not an archive and simply are not set up for researchers to consult their records, much less will they undertake to do research for others who are too lazy to do their own work (as so many seem to think is what they should do).

Nice items, thanks. Sudan is one of those areas where too little reliable information is available, and Spink steadfastly refuses to share what they know.

Other than the cloth singles I show above, I haven't seen any cloth "combo" bars. I have't seen the paper ones (what I think of as "DDR-style") in Afghanistan, but who knows. I have heard rumors to that effect, but have no solid news. Many things have used that name and it is hard to sort them out. I know the late king used to award the old royal order (against payment), but have no idea whether Ahmad Zahir still awards it after his father's death.

Thank you, Richard. I was looking for those references, but my JOMSA back-issue files are in such chaos these days . . . .

Technically, you'd wear only the highest. By regulation, that is. There was no requirement to return the lower badge(s), as the government deemed it too expensive to oversee that process. Their idea was that the lower badges would be retained "as a memento". In reality, people kept them, and often wore them. Though not after 1947, of course.

Wise words, Brian. Only if such things matter for short-term investment or within our own short lifetimes do they matter at all. Acquiring anything from outside the US is now difficult. Researching what we have is now rather more expensive. Enjoying what we have already as our guests is free.

Thanks, Leigh. I guess - I know - I haven't been there recently enough. Had hoped for OMRS this year, but .... Your 'bad as stamps' comment is, however, very well taken!

Stupid question: Have these, especially the VC 50p, come out as real coins, or just as collectors' doo-dads?

Extra credit?

Thanks to Charles (= Blame Charles!! ), here goes: OK, I know this is a "military" forum, but those who made the revolutions work were not young guys (and gals) in uniform (it isn't all about guns!!), but more mundane people . . . . . . the Ploughmen (and Ploughwomen): Identify, by issuing country (etc.) and by name the following awards. Only a score of 100% right will count (some are copied from books, for which I make no apologies -- my budget has limits!):

Much research needed, but a nice pair from OMSA '07. (Anyone care to fly me back to Delhi to do the work needed?) Rai Sahib -- Mr. Dan Singh Rai, Superintendent, Medical Branch, Lahore District Headquarters. Not. No. 333-H, 3 July 1926 India Medal, 1895 -- Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, and Tirah 1897-98 -- Clerk Dan Singh Rai office of P.M.O.

For reference, the naming(s):

A few more. Not than anyone cares about these as much as I do. Well, could ANYONE care THAN much??? Rai Bahadur -- Rai Sahib Jamini Mohan Ghosh, Special Land Acquisitiion Deputy Collector, Bengal Not. No. 19-H, 1 January 1931 F&P 94(2)-H/1931 (These awards are INCREDIBLY close together!) "He has a long record of good service and in particular has done excellent work as Land Acquisition Officer and the bestowal of the title recommended would be a fitting recognition of his services." Sounds like a retirement gift to me? Rai Sahib -- Babu Jamini Mohan Ghosh, Special Land Acquisitition Collector, 24-Parganas, Howrah and Hoogly, Bengal Not. 19-H, 1 January 1928 F&P 71(4)-H/1927 "This officer is a member of the Bengal Civil Service (Executive) to which he was promoted from the Junior Civil Service in 1921. He has an excellent record and has done consistently good work under the Revenue Department. Having made a special study of revenue records he was placed on special duty to examine the history of, and rights in, the foreshore of the Hoogly [River] on both the Calcutta and Howrah sides within the port. He produced an excellent report which will be of greatest use not only to the Revenue Department but from the point of view of historical interest. His excellent services deserve recognition." No indication of Jubilee or other medals. While this may not be as sexy (to some) as young men in "Pathan suits" on "the Frontier", such awards may say more about the nature of British rule in India than most other phaleristic relics?

And a nice and under-appreciated badge.

Not at present, Rick. As these are (1) unnumbered and (2) almost never documented it is difficult. I am trying to sort these out with Bat, but it hasn't been easy. We now have a nice book (in Mongolian, of course) that lists all recipients, but there's no way to match these to the awards. So far: STATE PRIZE (CHOIBALSAN PRIZE) - 1945-62 STATE PRIZE: Type 1 (silver and copper) - 1962-70 Type 2.1 (enameled center, 10 rings) - 1970-present? Type 2.2 (enameled center, 14 rings, shown in Herfurth only, very suspect?)

I have "test" research requests out with all of the mentioned suspects. So far, silence reigns.

Yet, if you goal is resale -- as I think it is -- getting full research will increase the item's value more than you have to invest. Eppure, se si obiettivo ? di rivendita -- come credo che sia -- ottenere la piena ricerca aumenter? il valore della voce pi? che avete a investire. Ci chiediamo: che senso?

The apparent absolute chaos in mounting order defies logical understanding. Questions have gone off to friends in Kabul.

Certainly nothing official, maybe Masonic, maybe just costume jewelery. But the important question: Does your wife like it?

Ohhhhh. Thank you Charles (I think). Let me generate a question as hard as my last . . . . Watch this space . . . .

Absolutely, William. My gamble on the research was: 1- If it doesn't come back, I'll know the chances of it being good increase. 2a- If it does come back, at least I'll know what it was awarded for. 2b- And I'll know that the group was bad. 2c- But I'll know. 3- And now I know and I am not at all unhappy. The initial "group" has been disassembled (something that gnaws at me, but it this case was an ethical and historical necessity).

The whole family. 1- Order of Gallantry, type 1, 1985-87 (#1247). Awarded to a Soviet, Vladimir Yurevich Loginov. See http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12313&st=24 -- very close to "Red-Star-quality". 2- Order of Gallantry, type 2, 1987-92 (#1407). Much lower quality. 3- For comparison: The Soviet Order of the Red Star (the inspiration for this award, after all) to Senior Warrant Officer Valentin Nikolaiovich Kubasov -- see http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12356 -- for services in Afghanistan. Number 3795082.