Ed_Haynes

Ed,

A few documents raise some questions (well, that is, for me at least):

1. Order book: traces of bleaching?

2. Document for badge for 25 years of victory: this is the wrong (standard army) type for someone serving/having served in the KGB. It should have a hard cover, be numbered and be signed by Andropov.

3. The same official stamp is being used over a period of 20+ years on a variety of documents; I find that to be at least quite unusual.

Marc

Not quite sure what you are talking about, more details please.

1- What bleaching? Around the corroding staples (water damage?)?

2- This is "rocket science"?

3- ???

Others, please comment.

And, Marc, can you please refer me to some items in your collection that you have posted here? As they are undoubtedly authentic, I'd like to see them.

Colonel Leon Aleksandrovich Gaylish, KGB

See: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26265

Lt-Colonel Mikhail Avetikovich Karapetyan, KGB

Just a single, but nice; and many documents.

See: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26287

A few more . . .

Captain Zinovy Mikhailovich Grudina, KGB

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26260

Obviously (look at the photos!) other stuff is missing, but a group I am happy to have as a guest.

Interesting how his bright (1931) eyes darken over time . . . .

Any and all wisdom is welcomed, as always.

Inside (2)

Rick says:

. . . his ID as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party "of Armenia." Wasn't aware there was a pretense of NATIONAL Communist parties.

And, finally (exterior blank) . . . inside (1)

Inside (2)

Rick-commentary:

. . . the egg actually issued from MVD of the USSR, though the entry says he was awarded it on 17.3.45 for "successful fulfilment of assignments" ( vague = ) but it was actually ISSUED to him 28.2.59 by the Deputy Minister of the MVD of the USSR.

Inside (1)

Next . . . the actual badge document (and see Alexei's comments, above).

Inside.

Rick's comments:

. . .from NKGB (the actual "SS" of State Security) of the Armenian SSR, ID issued 5.6.45 good until end of year-- as Lieutenant Colonel (he was Senior Lt in the 2 1930s above) of State Security, commanding Leningradsky "GO" (? Security District ??) of the Armenian SSR.

Next . . .

Inside (2)

Inside (1)

Next . . . 1933:

Not a "document", but a document.

There is some doubt over what this is. A kindjal hilt (?) or pistol hilt/receiver (?) - ???? Rick translates:

"Glory to Chekhist Comr. Karapetyan for 12th year of the GPU Detachment of UnionTrans 20.12.32."

Inside (2)

Rick's critique:

ID valid until end of 1931 is from Transcaucasus Railways Department of the OGPU-- prisoner transport and "papers, comrade!"

The best "quick tweak" I can get on the photo.

Inside (1)

The documents, in chronological order (on which I need a lot of help, friends, beg, please, grovel).

First, from 1931:

Lest anyone get their "knickers all in a bunch", I sent this off to Alexei ("Nota Bene") for a look-over before posting in public. I know (and others know, and bear the scars) how nasty these "eggs" can get.

Alexei writes:

The four OGPU, NKGB of Armenia, Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia documents are genuine and without any modifications.

The badge has been taken apart for repairs, rivets are messed up, but all parts are genuine and belong to each other; the screwpost is original, but the thread was most likely re-done; the screwplate is original, but also has evidence of repair. The enamel has damage, but no repairs.

The award document for the badge is a rare official MVD replacement certificate for an earlier NKVD Gramota, which is cool.

A very nice set, I love it!

OK??

Just one medal, several documents.

The medal #3696:

Thanks. For me, those side-by-side comparisons work better than measurements. Very interesting. Hope someone knows something about it.

Many thanks!

Thanks for these, Christophe! The fact there hasn't been much discussion does not imply they haven't been enjoyed and appreciated. I know how difficult it is to photograph there and how difficult these soft-focus p[ebbled-surface images under nasty glass are to capture. Many thanks!