Zaim Qyteza

How does the membroidery on the arm cuffs look?

Please see attach

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Why the star of cap is not in red enamelbronze, but is in golden thread?

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Hi to all,

I bought this extraordinaryuniform in a place in Tirana. (jacket + epaulettes + trousers + cap). I putonly the orders and medals.

This is Soviet Victory Paradeuniform, but with an difference. On the normal uniforms, the collar has thesame color of the uniform, but in my case the collar is red. How is possiblethis?

It isabsolutely secure that the uniform is original, because Ihave found it in aplace, from where it was not moved by at least 50 years.

Regards,

Artan

Once again, another superb photo, Artan - faleminderit! I was unaware he was awarded a Suvorov, so that's a particularly informative photo.

Thanks again!

Another more complete version of the same uniform of comrade Enver.

Regards,

Artan

My compliments Bob,

It is a beautiful and so rare piece.

Regards,

Artan

Dear all,

I thought that the third grade of Scanderbeg order numbered, existed until 999, but ... I bought a few days ago in Tirana this exemplar.

Regards,

Artan

Dear Bob,

Thank you for the pictures.

Attach the picture of the breast badge of the Albanian Military Academy. He was used on the period 1961-1966 and is very very rare one. It is in gild bronze with the initials “AU” (Akademia Ushtarake = Military Academy).

Regards,

Artan

Dear Bob

Compliments for the group of documents. Can you offer me a better picture or scan of that two documents?

I can explain to you, why the photo of the school (called in Albania: "polifoto”) is with two missing pieces. The original name of Albanian Military Academy was Mehmet Shehu. He was an ex partisan commander, many times minister of defense and later prime minister (1954-1981). In that year he made suicide under the pressure of Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha. After that, he was declare an traitor, polyagent, spy, sabotator, etc. Naturally the name of the Academy was change immediately. In this moment, our poor Kico Kotani, was obligated to cancel with bistouries the old name of his “polifoto” of the times of Academy.

Regards,

Artan

Hello, Does anyone have any information on the buckle belt that I pick up and does anyone knows how old it is?

Hi Lion,

This is an albanian soldier in Mod.1966 uniform. You can see the albanian made belt buckle.

Regards,

Artan

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Dear all,

I bought this sword a few days ago. Can anyome help me to identify some of the symbols of the blade.

The sword is a Turkish officer piece, made from WK&C, Solingen.

Thanks in advance,

Artan

Artan

I have been looking closely at your very useful "collage" of photographs.

It looks like the eagle suspended from the collar being worn by King Zog and the badge in the illustration of the "collar of Albania" are quite different.

The illstrated eagle is much more like the black eagle of the Albanian national coat of arms. However, the eagle suspended from the King's collar is very much like the badge of the Order of Scanderbeg. The wing feathers of are all close together and upward sloping.

The enamelling of the eagle also looks to be a lighter colour rather. Look, for instance, at the difference in shade between the king's uniform collar and the enamelling on the badge. Clearly the eagle is not in black enamel.

Are there any statutes available for the "collar of Albania" with an official description?

Sincerely,

James

Dear all,

Finally we have the proof that the color of the enamel of the collar of Albania is black. I received from my friend Enzo Calabresi a photo of the Eagle of the Collar. It is the piece belonged to Mussolini. It is conserved through Bank of Italy Rome.

Regards,

Artan

Just saw that on eBay and the postings here - next paycheck, I'm putting in my order! I am absolutely thrilled to see such a comprehensive work on these decorations. I can now retire my modest book to the archives :-)

Dear Eric,

You are “wrong” about the valuation of your book. Your book “The Decorations of Socialist Albania”, was very useful for me during the work for my book, specially about the organization structure and to convince me to including all the variants.

Regards,

Artan

Very nice photograph. Do you know the correct colours of this uniform?

Cheers!

Péter

Peter,

No I don't know the colour, but I think it is azure/grey.

Regards,

Artan

Dear Bob,

I prefer to continue here our discussion about the book.

I find this german medal bar with Prince Wied medal, two years ago in an other Forum. I don’t remember the forum’s name.

Regards

Artan

Hi to all,

Can anyone help me to identify the uniform of this officer. The photo is about 1916-1918.

Thanks in advance.

Dear all,

Some days ago, I find to the National Archives, the original picture that was used to the publication of 1928, cited from me at the beginning of this topic. I think that this picture can help you to distinguish other details of this self-created uniform of Ahmed Zog.

Thanks,

Artan

2 great books - more pictures / variations / etc. then one can see anywhere else. And I do mean LOTS of pictures!

Also some variations / awards which I've not seen before and interesting to see modern Albanian awards (although not necessarily beautiful).

Bob,

Thank you for the good impressions about my book. I am very happy to receive any kind of suggestions about it.

Regards,

Artan

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Dear Eric and friends,

Finally I finish my book about the Albanian Medals

Here enclosed some informations about it.

ALBANIAN MEDALS HANDBOOK, VOLUME I AND II, BY ARTAN LAME.

The book is in English and Albanian. The edition Albanian Medals in two volumes, includes all Decorations, Orders, Medals and Titles given by Albanian State from 1914 when it was issued the first Albanian Medal, until 2002 when the last one was issued.

First Volume 1914-1944 (175 pages, 40 Euro), is divided in three parts:

I Period 1912-1925, the Monarchy of Prince Wied.

II Period 1925-1939, the Republic and Monarchy of Ahmed Zog.

III Period 1939-1944, the Monarchy of Vittorio Emanuele III.

Second Volume 1945-2002 (267 pages, 50 Euro), is divided in two parts.

IV Period 1945-1990, the Communist Republic.

V Period 1991-2002, the Parliamentary Republic.

Mr. Emanuel,

Until today, I never call “a liar”, someone who is not present. Just read a few books on the history of WW1 and one can immediately understand why was unfortunate (figuratively “poor”) my country. For example, Albania holds "the record" for the number of armies that have passed or who have fought on its territory during WW1: Italian, A-H, French, British, Serbian, Bulgarian, Greek, German, Montenegro. Even a regiment of Senegalese and another Indochina as part of the French army (!!!). All this in a country that was more little of Belgium.

But as always, more you are little, more your tragedy seems insignificant. Everyone feels the suffering of a tiger wounded, but nobody feels those of a butterfly with wings strap.

Dear Bob,

Therefore, I do not expect forgiveness, but I expect the courtesy that the post with the word "lies" be cancelled from the Forum.

Regards,

Artan