Theodor

On the first photos, officers 1, 3 and 4 are not generals. Senior officers, probably colonels, but not generals. The collar tabs are for all officer ranks, but not the generals' oak leaves. The photo of 1 is pretty dark, but still I think he has the "ordinary" tabs, not general's. So, number 3 can not be Zhilkov, as that unknown man was not higher than a colonel in 1941, while Zhilkov was promoted to general back in 1937

I am sorry, but the navy cockades are not my area, I can no date those

Nice collection! The red paint star on the last row is a common socialist type, not a rare or early. As for the green one with the hammer and sickle, is it Bulgarian at all? These were made in Bulgaria indeed, right after the war, by one of the royal times workshops for buttons, cockades, etc. But the production also included same color buttons with star with hammer and sickle and I have heard all these were made for the Soviet forces in Bulgaria, quite a significant army group which stayed in the country for a few years.

Thank you Alex! It is marked with a .935, is that the "square punch"?

I know it is Bulgarian, but probably this is the place to find out an answer. I believe the badge is German made, so can you tell which maker, by the features of the back side? Marked just with a 935 hallmark. It is silver, the brown stains on some leaves are dirt.

Yes, they are. On the right is the Commader of the Air Force, col. Vasil Boidev. Behind him lt.col. Georgi Drenikov from the HQ of the AF, to the left... can't put a name for now, though have seen him on some photos. Is it dated? Probably pre-1940.

So, who was the first to use that style of belt and hangers? The Bulgarian ones were influenced from Russia. And not just Russia, the Germans had very similar. Probably some more countries, too? But who was the first?

The Bulgarian ones were introduced in 1905 and used until the end of the WW2

Could be Bulgarian as well. Looks similar. Interesting, several countries had very similar navy belts

Speaking of captured toys... Soldiers from the Bulgarian 34th IR at Doiran

Медал за участие в Европейската война /Medal for participation in the European War/. In the award document it is mentioned as "...the commemorative medal..."

Another similar one was seen recently, but I think it is fake. Too new, no sign of wear to the surface or any patina, just see those nice new prongs, holding the central piece to the wreath. Bad quality casting, just see the incomplere circle for the left prong on the back side and the rough surfaces. Another thing I don't like, the central piece has been not cast and then drilled, but cast the way it is, with the holes. I don't insist I am right, but I don't like it at all. And some indirect clues - comfortably poorly identified, comfortably low priced, with the option for even lower offer. Tried to compare with mine, it seems these two are different patterns, different in the small details. http://www.ebay.de/itm/Alter-Orden-evtl-Bulgarien-/251390778112?pt=Militaria&hash=item3a880edb00

Very nice! And very good photos!

This is the back side. The pilot badge is named and dated 1928, but I can say nothing for the observer badge. Just the period can be framed, from a couple of years after the end of WW1, until 1935-36. More likely 20s, being so extraordinary. But who knows! What they flew: right after the WW1, all Bulgarian Air Force aircraft were cut to pieces and the country had no right to have an air force at all. So in the next 15 or so years, it existed more or less secretly. The first aircraft was a WW1 Fokker, hidden in a village to evade being cut. It was fllowed by 2 machines, built from the cut pieces of WW1 planes. In 1924-26 were delivered not large numbers of Potez, Henriot, Cauldrone, Bristoll aircraft, also 2 Macci flying boats. Bulgaria could purchase only from the WW1 winners, only unarmed aircraft and with very limited engine power. In 1925 started the production of Bulgarian aircraft, various models, mostly training. Only in the 2nd half of the 1930's some modern aircraft were delivered and the number increased. In 1937 the Air Force, which existed anyway, was officially restored as a part of the Armed Forces and was given battle flags.

Let me show the latest addition to the collection, an interwar Observer badge! The pilot badge is for comparison, it represents the usual construction, hollow silver. The Observer badge is very extraordinary, nearly one of a kind - 3 piece, cutout construction! And original nevertheless. Silver frame and gold plated brass center. The crown has been lost, but I like it anyway!