GeorgeCL

Another great Id book with descriptions.. There is a Russian version on ebay all the time but hard to find english version costs more, if you can get one. $30.00 Russian only version

This set comes in 3 volumes I dont have Vol 3 yet. Ordering today. Vol 1 and 2. Civil badges Regiment badges Great for id'ing badges, but poor quality images to help with "Is it the real deal" id's. Volume 3 contains values. Vol 2 regiment badges $225.00

Heres some book I can do without. I try to get english text books, but some times they are only published in Russian. Prices are from Collect Russian web site. Orders and medals of Imperial russia. Great book by Prince Romanov. Descriptions with pictures of each madal. Well worth the $95.00

I dont like any of them.. The two enamel pieces are not authentic. Poor quality.. These two have been showing up in numbers on ebay lately. George I have noticed lots of Kortman marked pieces hitting the market.

Great Grouping. Looks like the St. Anna was damaged some time ago shows in the Photo as well.. Thanks George

Here are some details of the silver two piece backing plate.. remember just because its silver it may not be authentic.. I have seen this particular maker on lots of ebay badges lately.. Hope this helps a little George

Some wing nuts all FAKE they show artificial aging..

another soft metal badge multi piece construction. painted details NO enamel I have also never seen an original with a nut holding pieces together..

here are a few more repress for study Nice looking enamel, but made of soft metal with plating. you can see the wear to the reverse. also reverse has dimples like 1960 costume jewelry.

Hi Chris Dmitry Markov is a fine dealer.. You should never have a problem with him. I also have not heard of the other. Ive been on ebay since 98 and have seen dealers come and go. Just changing id's and countries of origin.. I think that canadian dealer is also hooked up with a guy in australia. Uses all the same terminology..and listing format. Cant remember his ID. A few years back I got out of collecting Third Reich stuff for the same reasons I now have with Imp. Russian. But it has almost become a passion so I'll stick it out this time around. If you read Russian there is a Great russian forum with very knowlegeable collectors. They have helped me out in the past. I have the link at home ill post later. I'm going to pin a post within the next week or so on Reference books. Pictured and small review of my thoughts. Imperial russian references are usually small runs and go Out of print quickly. George

I wish you the best.. Just my opinion: Stay away from this dealer: http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-MILITARY-RUSSIAN-...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/WW1-WWI-RUSSIAN-AIRFOR...1QQcmdZViewItem Of course just my opinion. Everytime I ask some professional, Expert is Imperial russian uniforms, Well known. They have told me the items a muesum copies of messed with originals.. After the communist rule fell. The museums lost funding and started illegally selling of items. and making up items in stock houses and selling as originals.. Cloth items the easiest to fake ie; 3 reich. metal badges weather silver, gold or bronze. Have been popping up regularly. I have seen many RARE badges listed and selling only to have the same seller list another a couple months later..You would be lucky to find 1 in a lifetime of some of these. Back in the 70's there was a surge of Imperial russian badges hit the market..Now these show nice patina. You will also notice on ebay alot of nice enamel badges offered as original with damaged enamel, this done to suggest age I guess. But FAKES anyway. I have a, THANK GOD, small group of fakes I'll post for comparison. George If these were original they would have been snapped up months ago. But they just keep relisting.

Yes, Could be the scan or camera used in photo the piece. I think this guy also sells on ebay.? Changed his ID a few times. Pairs up photos with badges. I'll try to get some photos of a few of my pieces to show the pins. Right now they are at the bank, I havent retreaved my stuff yet. been away on vacation for a month. George

Hi Chuck, Just because its not a Russian award, does not mean it did not belong to the Duke. Being from the Royal Georgian family he may have attended the jubilee. If you are going to get more items from him, you may want to keep in in the group.. George

Hi again, I also dont like this badge.. Bad details in the background and the lettering is not sharp. Also the pinning on the reverse looks a little thin.. Pins are usually a thicker gauge tight to the holes. George

Hi Yes usually the NCO/EM versions are harder to find. Im not sure why. Dont know if not that many were purshased by the poorer soliders or if these were more likely destroyed at the revolution by the owner themselves.. The Officer version would have been worn throughout the civilwar if the White officer lived.. Glad you like it. Getting hard to find good regiment badges. George

Hi Just saw this post. Still catching up since my vacation. Manions version would be NCO/EM. Enamelled version are all officers. Details could be better on the back ground. There has been a flood of real nice repro. badges hitting the marked this past year. Mose are silver marked with the same maker..and coming from canada/australia. Ebay is full of them. Id wait for others to help on this one. Hard to tell for me without in hand. George

Hi Dan Already full of cookies George

Hi Chuck, That was in DM's still. But before the raise in Imp German prices.. I think its a great deal more at this time? George

Hi Dan, I forgot to state size.. It is approx. 10" tall and 11" accross.. Shipping wt. was 4.5 Kilo. Made of saltglaze pottery, like beer steins. I'm glad you like it..Its a real neat piece. George

Heres my favorite piece I got in Germany this past vacation.. Just came in the mail today. dated 1930.. My relatives told me it was for storing tobacco at a store and the proceeds of the sales went for the "cause" I really love the eagle with the broken chains.. Thanks for looking George

Hi chuck I could not fine a color pic but this is out of an old reference I have on German awards 1992. George

Hi Rick, Well I guess thats why I cant find any reference on the piece in my Books.. I knew I saw it before, but could not figure where. Thanks George

Nice piece, This jeton would have, more than likely, been privately issued. Worn on uniform or civil dress as a fob. Since it does not carry the imperial crown or anyother imperial insignia. Looks to be a dukes crown. It was not subject to offical issue. This could be a 25yrs of service jeton for botany..note the flowers within the laurel wreath. There are endless jetons in the Russian empire, it seems. I think I have seen the monogram, but just cant place it now. Great history with the piece as well. George

Great badge Chuck, Cant wait for you to post more of your Imp. finds.. Details The monograms are inscribed into the latin letter "C" 100 yrs. momograms are that of Paul 1 and Nicholas 11 lower is the hippocratic cup entwined with snake covered with blue enamel The badge was worn on the left chest.. And you are right quality of the badge was the buyers choice, this one being silvered bronze.. Others solid silver or gilt bronze and solid Gold.. George

Sorry Rick, No dates or any writing at all on these..They are also using both early and late eagles on there visor caps. George