Aurelius

This is futile. I thought this place had potential. Enjoy your continuation of the same boring threads. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz summarizes them. I'm too old for this crap.

Actually Nick, it is true. Not sure why the rude smileys and mocking of people. We have yet to see your collection. I fully realise that you are busy posting thread after thread of the same eastern Ebay type awards which no one can afford and of course, the research that next to no one can understand because it isn't translated. :lol:

ps Regarding collecting for investing, order wise, Nevskys, RBs and the higher awards. This is what the investors are snapping up and will have dynamite returns in the future. I've been told this by friends in Russia and Ukraine many times. I have RBs but none of the others given the costs plus I don't collect for investment purposes. Thinking your wartime RSs will be worth thousands and thousands in the near future-good luck unless a night witch or a super write up.

Ericsky, I don't offer refunds when I sell either. My items are authentic so why the need to offer a return policy. You do have an option though. If it is being sold as original or authentic and you buy it, right after it arrives, post the pics. If thumbs down and fake, you can complain to Ebay and would win. But you have to do it within a month to make your complaint. It is a pain in the butt though. The best in such circumstances is to bypass the item all together-much less a pain in the butt. Interesting discussion before. "Rare" is dependent on who sees it as rare and wants it. The term is used zillions of time in the hobby and in my opinion, overused. Try selling it though.

Oops, Iustus sum populo auxilium quaerit. Probus sum..............................et tu Brutus. Soviet arbitria ubi sunt????????????

Fortasse. Sed ut asini agis.

Non intelligo quid tu dicis.

Better to save money than to get burnt. There are many who have gotten stung with fake partisan medals. Yes, I am VERY fortunate to have access to many ultra experts in Soviet awards. Two renowned ones in North America and many in Russia/Ukraine and then there's..............................................Marshall Aukeov. These people have not only helped me but many of us and I salute them to the nth degree for their expertise and help.

The details were very good but not good enough. Even with scans it was hard for even the best experts to give a 100%. They physically have to see it. So I sent one to an ultra expert and he said a well done fake. : (

Don't feel bad, I've been there and done it many times over the years regarding purchases. Some very good advice to all is to avoid partisan medals. Run to the hills away from them. Some fakes look so real that even posting them to experts isn't good enough. Years ago I was stung 2 times on these. : (

Igor, my pleasure! All clients should be like you and Terrible Tommy. I need to clone you two.lol

lolololol Too funnyTom. Well worded!

Hi Rick, given your experience, mind me asking what you think of current market prices? Certainly, much better than a few years ago?

Btw, for all you Vietnam related Soviet wantabee RS owners like me, Nick posted the "magic" numbers to shoot for,ie., 3568XXX

Nice one Paul. A long history behind the man behind the award.

These are very interesting Nick. thanks for posting them. I've been trying and trying the RS serial number range for quite some time but no hits on Vietnam. : ( I still think many awards from that time(inc. Paul's) are from there but still classified. Not all of these are long service which is the commonly used incorrect excuse for the awards of the period.

Thanks fellas. That sure would be great Igor if there was any further info that you can provide. Paul, I would like to post it (even though I'm lazy to have to take pics) but the serial number ties it to the research. Was asked not to post it. I know, i know it sucks but that is how the research game goes. Sorry man.

Record card Form nr. 1 (To be filled out using a typewriter, without any corrections) Date and location of issue of the award; republic, krai, oblast, city, raion: Record card of an awardee 1. Last name: Mamukelashvili 2. First name and patronymic: Ivan Georgiyevich 3. Nationality: 4. Sex: 5. Year of birth: 1915 6. Place of birth: 7. Education: higher, unfinished higher, special secondary, secondary, elementary (underline what’s relevant): 8. Party affiliation: 9. Position, profession, military rank (for servicemen), and place of work or service at the time of the award (ministry, department, institution, enterprise, organization): Senior Lieutenant and company commander in the 23rd Independent Flamethrower Battalion 10. Home address of the awardee: Village of Vadunyan, Lagodekhi Raion, Georgian SSR 11. Awards issued: Type of award (order, medal, highest title of distinction, honorary title) Number of the order, medal or badge Number of the order booklet, Hero or Mother Heroine booklet, medal or badge certificate or travel document Date and number of the decree about the award Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class nr. 422193 by Order of the 26th Army nr. 0156 of May 16, 1945 Order of the Red Star nr. 1042046 by Order of the 68th Rifle Corps nr. 043/N of January 27, 1945 Temporary certificates nr. Ye-704235 and D-286516 Signature of the awardee: I confirm the correctness of the data and the signature of the awardee (position and signature): 12. Remarks: Award sheet Award sheet 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Mamukelashvili, Ivan Georgiyevich 2. Rank: Senior Lieutenant 3. Position and unit: Company commander in the 23rd Independent Flamethrower Battalion Nominated for: Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class 4. Year of birth: 1915 5. Nationality: Georgian 6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since 1943 7. Participation in the Civil War, the subsequent combat actions to defend the USSR, and the Patriotic War (where and when): From June 28, 1941 through August 20, 1942 on the Southern Front; from August 20, 1942 through October 17, 1942 taking a Junior Lieutenant Course on the Stalingrad Front; from October 17, 1942 through February 5, 1943 on the Stalingrad Front; from February 5, 1943 through March 20, 1944 on the Southwestern Front; from March 20, 1944 through July 27, 1944 taking an Advanced Officer Training Course in Moscow; and since July 27, 1944 on the 3rd Ukrainian Front 8. Wounds and contusions received during the Patriotic War: No 9. Since when in the Red Army: Since June 28, 1941 10. Drafted by which military commissariat: Military Commissariat of the Lagodekhi Raion, Georgian SSR 11. Awards received previously (for which merits): Order of the Red Star by Order of the 68th Rifle Corps nr. 043/N of January 27, 1945 and Medal for Courage by Order of the 62nd Army nr. 092/N of February 8, 1943 12. Permanent home address of the prospective awardee and the address of his family: ______________ 13. Personnel certificate series AG-000001, nr. 169771 Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: During the fighting for the city of Vorau (Austria) on April 23, 1945, Senior Lieutenant Mamukelashvili, serving as a company commander, held off 4 German attacks. Having repelled the enemy attacks, Senior Lieutenant Mamukelashvili, acting on orders from the battalion commander, started to fall back, while continuing fighting. Withdrawing according to plan, comrade Mamukelashvili kept all advantageous positions and halted the enemy advance, thus covering the main body of our forces. During the fighting Senior Lieutenant Mamukelashvili inspired his soldiers through his personal bravery, fortitude and courage. The enemy suffered heavy losses. Senior Lieutenant Mamukelashvili’s company killed up to 70 German soldiers and officers. Senior Lieutenant Mamukelashvili led his company out of the semi-encirclement without suffering any losses. He deserves to be awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class. Commander of the 23rd Independent Flamethrower Battalion Major [signed] /Leiko/ May 3, 1945 By Order of the 76th Guards Chernigov Red Banner Rifle Division nr. 36/N of March 18, 1945 awarded the Order of Glory, 3rd Class. Chief of the division’s Personnel Section Guards Captain of the Administrative Service [signed] /Novikov/

I just got a weird one that nobody has ever seen before. An OPW2 for working in bread production. sorry, I can't post it but just a generic form letter. A very reliable source told me that OPWs were awarded for grain production till the 50s. Anyone know why OPWs for this? Nick? Marshall Aukeov? Somebody that actually reads my posts?lol I know that supporting the war effort was viewed as being equally important to being in battle. Perhaps this is the case?

What's the number on the RS? Ooops, saw it.

Wow Paul! What an outstanding award and write up-thanks for sharing! Due to Auke's explanation, I understand why an OPW2 but this fella deserved an RB in my books. How wonderful it is that this brave guy's story can be shared on the internet for all to read and that his heroic deeds are not lost in an archive but brought back to life. Very impressive stats Auke-very well put together. Thank you for sharing! What can I say Auke, you da man.

Congrats Paul. Nice one-OPW1s are hard to come by. Pls post the translation when you get it. Marshall Aukeov, can you pls send me the article that you wrote or perhaps post it here? I am not a member of JOMSA but BFE (Barlabolas For Everyone).lol

Thanks Nick, where does one purchase this book pls? Marshall Aukeov, when is your book coming out?

Yo Paul, I only have the RS man. The BM is not on Podvig Naroda but might be worth getting the research behind it. Likely was pulling teeth then took out a PPSH and fought. Thanks Igor.

Award Card Order Booklet 751917 (temporary) Last name: Safarov Name and patrionymic: Aik Agabekovich Rank: Administrative Services Captain Gender: Male Birthyear: 1900 Birthplace: Armenian SSR, Alagi Party membership: n/a Education: mid-level Nationality: Armenian Time in Red Army: since 1936 Place of service at awarding: Chief – Dental Technical Laboratory #180, (?) Pacific Fleet Place of work at present: same Home address: Unit Post 40066 Awards: Designation Serial Number Awarding Organization Red Star 2.027.382 Pacific Fleet dated 22.10.45 Combat Service Medal 2.693.055 Edict dated 5.11.46 Verified by Pacific Fleet Officer Personnel Section Chief Sara(?) on 1 March 1947 Award Sheet Award Sheet on Chief of Dental Technical Laboratory SSBO(?) VMOR(?) Administrative Services Captain Aik Agabekovich Safarov for the Order of the Red Star Born: 1900 Nationality: Armenian Social position: worker Party membership: n/a In Red Army: since 1936 Participation in combat: n/a Wounds or shell-shock: n/a Previous award recommendations: n/a Previous awards: n/a Service in White or other bourgeois armies or POW: n/a In Red Army: since 27.06.44 Inducted by: Melitopol Regional Military Commissariat, Zaporozhe Oblast Previous awards: Red Star, Bravery Medal, Combat Service Medal Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured] Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment Comrade Sarafov has served in the Pacific Fleet since June 1937. Throughout his service in a series of naval units he has provided high-quality dental dentures for soldiers and officers. During the war against the Japanese aggressors he has well-prepared his dental laboratory for rendering practical assistance to the wounded. He wields his great authority among the sector’s personnel. For high-quality work in rendering dental assistance to soldiers and officers, he is deserving of the Order of the Red Star. Signed Chief of Medical Services, Lieutenant Colonel Bozhenko on 9 September 1945 Co-endorsed Acting Commendant SSBO(?), Lieutenant Colonel Blokhin, and Commander, VMOR(?) Pacific Fleet Counter-Admiral Fedorov