IrishGunner

Speechless, huh?

But if it's "hard case" you want...

I think she can kick your a** ... in North Africa or Nordrhein Westfalen. Take your pick.

I submit that this is rather the real deal...

True, "naming" does put a quality all it's own upon a medal, which can lead to many other things, like famous battle et al. Frankly, for me, condition can even rank low on a common un-named medal; a worn medal "suggests" that a veteran truly owned and possibly wore the medal to veterans' gatherings etc. It's the connection to a real soldier that increases value for my money. A pristine example of a medal also makes me more cautious because of the "fake risk."

I agree (of course coin grading still is very subjective despite the so-called certifying experts and let's not forget that ANACS et all are businesses - they grade coins for profit). Occasionally, I've seen medals graded as "Extremely Fine" etc (although I prefer this to the hated, despised, and disgusting word "minty"). Grading doesn't seem to have taken hold though - quality of strike etc seems more useful to the phalerist as a means to detect fakes.

Actually, I like these figures a lot. I have two similar Goebbel porcelain figures - Napoleonic artillery and a US artillery captain.

Yea, that blue color is kinda hideous isn't it?

I agree with Chris' perspective on this... The value is purely subjective to the owner regardless of any formula or value guidebook. And when one factors in "market forces," clearly, what one paid for an item in the first place (value determined by someone else) plays a part in any re-sale equation. And as Chris states, value is to a large degree what one is willing to accept for the item in a sale transaction after adding in subjective criteria. I may value an item high, but you may value it low - simply because we have different interests. It seems more voodoo than pure math. Frankly, to play the devil's advocate, any piece has only subjective value until it goes to market. Unless you can get said price, the item is either "priceless" or "worthless" - depending upon your perspective. Anything outside my collecting field simply has no "value" to me...since I'm not willing to pay any price. Sort of like a bloody sock. But hey, to another collector it's worth thousands of dollars because of the subjective factors such as it's history and the owner's attachment to that history. For insurance purposes, one is at the mercy of random forces it seems... Realized market prices and guide books. Appraisers tend to be less attached to these historical items than are we... I boil it down simply; it's "value" to me is whatever I paid for the item to obtain it in the first place. Should it go to sale, it's value is whatever I'm willing to accept for it at the time. To sell, I either lower my "value" to the buyer's or get the buyer to raise his "value" to match my price. Simple supply and demand.

I'll take a look...and consider it in due course. Time is rather short right now.

Great response Douglas! I was just going to answer the change in foregrips! Thanks for the assist.

I meant the ribbon bar; not the medal bar. He had the star on the earlier Navy ribbon bar, but didn't add it to the later Coast Guard ribbon bar - even though the GCM has the multiple stars.

Was wondering why the bar with the Navy GCM also has a star on the American Defense Service Medal; wonder which clasp he earned. Also, why isn't the star on the bar with the USCG GCM.

Nice little group. But what makes you say "Korea"?

Every time I see a thread like this, I wish I had been a serious militaria collector in the early 80s when I posted to Berlin for three years; instead of being a coin collector. Oh, the things I likely missed out on...

Or even the Walther PPK

Brian, you might want to look again at Post #4 for a "more beautiful pistol"... Or even this one... Another iconic firearm. Just my alternative opinion.

Sorry links don't match the OP's photo. Nice piece of hardware though.

Odd though... The M60 feeds from the left and ejects to the right. This appears flipped.

The way the links and casings are flying around, I'd go with 7.62 M60 MG. I've had ejected casings go down my collar - nice little burn.

Curious that the eagle's head on the flag in question faces the wrong direction...

Similar to the separate general topic on Victory Medal ribbons, interest has been expressed in having a separate topic to discuss Victory Medal award documents. As documents are quite collectible - even without the medal - this topic will allow for a general discussion and comparison of award documents and diplomas for specific countries or even between the different countries.

You are all overlooking the real reason behind all of this. On the contrary. While the dispute has been called "two bald men fighting over a comb" in the past, I don't see anyone in this particular discussion disputing the fact that control of the Falklands/Malvinas means literally millions in fishing rights, oil exploitation, and access to the Antarctic – where there is even more wealth. What we are saying is that now it's two impotent bald men fight over a comb - albeit a valuable one. Their militaries are quite incapable of mounting much of an effort. That's the really sad statement here...which translates into how in the world can Britain shoulder it's share of responsibility on security issues with much more seriousness. That's what is being overlooked here. Frankly, I doubt the Falklands would come to blows again - but if it did - it would be quite an sad show by either "armed" force.

They barely had enough for round 1. And it's been announced that only 80 soldiers of the Para Regiment do jump training a year. No more parachute training. Going to have to slog in to Goose Green again.

I bet no one ever told him his borscht tastes terrible!