Riley1965

Again, There are NO Official Campaign Medals with the cyrillic D. Duplicates are seen in Orders etc. but NOT in "Defense, Capture, Liberation or Victory Over" Campaign Medals. The recipient would have received the 3rd variation which has a heavy gold wash. I'm sorry, but somone has pulled a nasty trick on you with your Prague Medal I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that is the sad fact. Doc

Thanks Ed!!! This is one I'll get BTW What is NA? Best, Doc

Nack, I got the shirt from E-Bay. I'll PM the details. Best, Doc

Mikhail is still a work in progress. His shirt arrived from Russia today. The shirt in the picture is not the right shirt. I'll get pics with the one from Russia tomorrow and I'll get a tie tomorrow. Nack, Nice uniform!! Doc

I have never heard of or seen a Duplicate Soviet Campaign medal (with Cyrillic D)!! For re-issues the recipient generally recieved a variation 3 which has a heavy gold wash. This is the ONLY type of duplicate Campaign Medals (Defense, Capture, Liberation or Victory Over) I know of. Doc

I am enjoying your Verdun website. I still have a lot more to see Doc

Ed, Where did you find your copy? I searched Amazon.com with no luck just his 2001 WWI service records book. Doc

I'm new to Imperial awards. I love what I'm seeing!!! Best, Doc

Pavlov, a member of OMSA, provided the Official List: The full list of official state awards of modern Russia: 1) Gold medal of the Hero of the Russian Federation (http://award.adm.gov.ru/geroi/geroi_1.htm) 2) Order of the St.Andrew (http://award.adm.gov.ru/geroi/geroi_1.htm) 3) Order of the St.George (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_13.htm) - never issued 4) Order "For merits before Fatherland" in 4 classes (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_3.htm) - extremely rare in 1 and 2 classe, very rare in 3 class and rare in 4 class. issued with or whithout the swords. Badges with sword is more rare. 5) Order of Zhukov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_14.htm) - only 80 has been issued 6) Order of Courage (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_5.htm) - most common 7) Order for military merits (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_6.htm) - common 8) Order for sea merits (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_15.htm) - very rare 9) Order of Honour (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_7.htm) - not rare, but not common 10) Order of Friendship (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_4.htm) - not rare, but not common 11) Order of Suvorov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_8.htm) - never issued 12) Order of Ushakov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_9.htm) - never issued 13) Order of Kutuzov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_10.htm) - never issued 14) Order of Alexander Nevsky (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_11.htm) - never issued 15) Order of Nakhimov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/orden/orden_12.htm) - never issued 16) Medal of the order "For merits before Fatherland" in 2 classes (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_10.htm) - with or whithout the swords 17) Medal for Valor (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_2.htm) - common 18) Medal To the defender of Free Russia (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_9.htm) - very rare, many fakes 19) Medal For rescue perished (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_3.htm) - common 20) Medal of Suvorov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_8.htm) - common 21) Medal of Ushakov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_7.htm) - rare 22) Medal of Nesterov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_6.htm) - rare 23) Medal for Distinguished Service in Guarding State Border (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_4.htm) - common 24) Medal for Distinguished Service in Protecting the public Order (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_4.htm) - common 25) Medal for 50th Anniversary of Victory over Germany (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_14.htm) - very common (for veterans of the WW2 only) 26) Medal of Zhukov (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_12.htm) - 2 types. with number is common without number - very common (for veterans of the WW2 only) 27) Medal for 60th Anniversary of Victory over Germany (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_19.htm) - very common (for veterans of the WW2 only) 28) Medal for 300th Anniversary of Russian Navy (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_13.htm) - very common 29) Medal for 850th Anniversary of Moscow (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_11.htm) - very common 30) Medal of Pushkin (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_15.htm) - very rare 31) Medal for 100th Anniversary of Transsib Railway (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_16.htm) - rare 32) Medal For merits in carrying out of the All-Russia population census (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_17.htm) - common 33) Medal for 300th Anniversary of St.Peterburg (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_18.htm) - common 34) Medal For works on an agriculture (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_20.htm) - very rare 35) Medal for 1000th Anniversary of Kazan (http://award.adm.gov.ru/medal/medal_21.htm) - common 36) George cross (http://award.adm.gov.ru/znak/znak_2.htm) - never issued 37) Badge for Irreproachable Service (http://award.adm.gov.ru/znak/znak_3.htm) - rare. red ribbon for civilians, george ribbon for military All other is non-state awards. But many ministries (as, for example, the Ministry of Defence) have own awards. Awards from ministries are official awards. Many from ministerial award were handed over to military men for bravery in fight. For example, in the Chechen Republic. And many, many unofficial awards (Umalatova, cossacks, etc.) Doc

Christian, You are one up on me. I have yet to add a duplicate to my collection. Doc

GREAT restoration!!! I agree about caring for our families ODMs 100%!! Best, Doc

Greg, NICE!!! Here's the three Finnish Medals In my collection: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9160 Doc

Dr. Bat, CONGRATULATIONS YES, YOUR LIFE HAS CHANGED FOREVER Ed, Thanks for sharing this GREAT news!!! Doc

I just love these period photos!!! I've added a file on my computer for these pics. Thanks for sharing!!! Best, Doc

3rd Class Enjoy, Doc

2nd Class

Cross of Merit with Swords, Type I Established in 1942 Awarded to Military and Civilians for Meritorious Combat Service. Awarded in 3 classes Gold, Silver & Bronze Awarded to Members of the Home Army and Underground. The letters "RP" are in the center of the cross surrounded by a wreath. The ribbon is red with pale blue stripes near each edge. The Cross is 45mm Doc

Gentleman, It's been said that you can learn something new each day. Well, I just did!!! I had never seen these button hole ribbons. A VERY interesting thread!!! Doc

Thanks for the information about the Sash!! Doc

Thanks Ed!! My room mate is in his Junior year at UT Dallas. I'll try there. Best, Doc

Yes, Does anybody know what the red sash is? Doc

Hello Ed, I was interested in reading "Mongolia in the Sino-Soviet Dispute". It's my never ending thirst for knowledge. The "Transition" has also caught my eye but, the Sino-Soviet article first. Doc

Paul, I have to agree 1005. I wondered if they might be Dembels. No matter what the only thing that is authentic is the cap with everything stripped off of it. Doc

Bob, I tried to access it but was denied access. Best, Doc

1939-1945 War Medal and African Service Medal awarded to South African Air Force Aircraft Mechanic Diederick Johannes Grobler. I have his Service Card and Records. Doc