Ed_Haynes

I have edited the awards roll at the beginning to reflect our revisions.

But, unusually, a poster of Lebed does a good job in capturing his medals (and, maybe, his personality and agenda ):

I would agree. Obviously, the Americans who translated and made available these materials were more interested in tactics and equipment than in medals. Silly people. Lebed is a good poster child for this, especially in his deviant approach to wearing his Afghan "International Warrior" medal on a Soviet five-sided suspension. Though quite clear in you photo, Christian, it is not too visible in this photo, but:

A footnote. Her name is Dary. Doing well and, in the words of her proud father: "She is getting cuter and cuter."

Yes, though they scanned quite oddly. That deep green didn't work well with the scanner. They're so nice I'll try again . . . .

OK, Eric, let me know if you need more data points.

Yes, and I doubt he made it that high. There is the Afghan Order of Glory, similar to (maybe?) Lenin. (Hard parallel to make here.) (Need to get that one up in my "my collection" thread on Afghan awards.) The original source (a US Army translation of a Soviet original) said this, but . . . .

Yes, I had noted that. Who knows. Maybe something Afghan where neither the Soviets nor the Americans could figure it out?

Also, glance at: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9427

A medal being awarded (though we can't see what it is ):

I'd pay lots for both OoV, but you know how I feel about labor awards -- they are NASSSSSTY -- no one wants anything to do with them (lemme have 'em all! ).

Maybe, Dave, maybe. But, back on topic, have you glanced at the thread I put up on Soviet awards in Afghanistan? What do you know about the recipient who is listed in published contemporary sources as having received an Order of Glory in Afghanistan. Yes, they might have been wrong. Anyone can be wrong.

As would I.

Right. The basic rule of economics: Something is worth only what some damn fool will pay for it on any given day. Period. Igor (to his credit) seems to be able to hold high-end stock over a long period, awaiting a deep-pocketed buyer (from the Old Country?).

Fascinating stuff! What is the size of that first lovely Turkish document you posted?

I must admit that I am immensely confused by the border guard badges (E01-E06). I shall devote much of this afternoon squinting at mine to try to make coherent sense of them, to try to find the characteristics that separate one type from another, and shall, finally, make an effort at a newly revised post-Battushig typology. Frankly, this is pretty arcane stuff for my puny brain. I need all the help I can get. HELP?????

A recently arrived Distinguished Border Guard type 1 (E 01), number 8. I wonder whose it was? Nasty scan, sorry.

Yes, and thanks. Still interested as to what your source is for this number?

Thanks, S1C, I can work only from available sources. In any case, my point stands.

F 20 / F 21 Confusions OK, maybe I just confuse easily ("Guilty as changed, M'Lord"), but the F 20/F 21 Auxiliary Brigade of Police awards have me right fully confused. Almost no trwo seem to be identical: 1- F 20, pretty much "textbook", pinback. 2- F 21, pretty much "textbook", pinback. 3- F 21 variant, but close, pinback. 4- F 21 variant, not close, screwback. 5- F 21 variant, not close, pinback. 6- F 21 variant, not close, pinback. My brain hurts . . .

Brings back good memories, eh, Jan? Can zoom in on the Irish (theme) Pub just off scene to the SW.

E 25 and E 26 -- Glory of the Border Forces, classes 1 and 2 Missing, unfortunately, the 3rd class. Another of the post-socialist ministerial awards (?).

F NIB 02 -- Police Here's an obviousl Police NIB if ever you saw one? Maybe too much advice from the Americans?

1- Lonely Planet guide. 2- Lonely Planet guide. 3- Hard to get out east to Khalkin Gol and Choibalsan. Logistics difficult. Rent a four-wheel with driver and GPS and prepare for a long trip. Said to be very neat, though. 4- Prepare for good sights (from Google Earth):

At least those from the Ministry of Defence http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12480 are nicer. Not hard to be "nicer" though .