IrishGunner

That is a lot of commemorative medals. I heard from someone that commemorative awards were not automatically given to veterans. Can someone shed some light on how they were awarded?

I'd be curious as the answers to this question regarding award of jubilee medals as well. I have a couple ribbon bars missing some jubilees - but with later ones on the bar. If a vet had to apply for the medal, that could possibly explain the gaps.

oooofff... I dont collect Bulgarian, but this is the kind of news that dampens the party spirit of any collector....

Ouch.

Yep, pushes me more to the documents. :whistle:

With that all caps lead in, I was expecting an attractive "old" model more like Raquel Welch. :P

I'm surprised the Lenin Jubilee ribbon's not there considering the last two on this bar were awarded after the Lenin medal.

And, the first two awards are more than likely just for long service.

All in all a nice but common and un-sexy 70s bar although I do like to see the AF vets bar as it makes this, if real, a career military man.

IMHO.

Eric, missing medals, like the Lenin you mention, always confuse me on these bars. And then I wonder, why would someone fake such a common bar and they cost only a couple bucks. So, I just scratch my head and wonder why the vet didn't put all the ribbons on a bar. Despite head scratching over these bars, I always like the campaign medal ribbons. So, for a couple bucks, they make nice conversation pieces.

Thanks for the comments.

Tim, PM sent.

There is no Belgrade. That light blue/dark blue ribbon is the Capture of Vienna.

Here is an example from the Collectrussia.com

As I said in the other thread; Yes, you are correct; Vienna. I had Belgrade on my mind since I was looking at a Belgrade Campaign Medal that same day (as well as a Defense of the Arctic and Defense of Sevastopol) and had Belgrade on my mind.

Yes, very nice. That turban is something!

I have a few porcelain gunners - mostly French Napoleon era, they are a nice addition to the war room.

Super nice ribbon bar. Good luck in your effort to reunite the group!

Third Row:

Capture of Budapest

Capture of Vienna

Military Retirement Medal

There is no Belgrade ribbon. Belgrade is green with the broad black center stripe. Awesome ribbon bar.

Doh! Yes, you are correct; Vienna. I had Belgrade on my mind since I was looking at a Belgrade Campaign Medal that same day (as well as a Defense of the Arctic and Defense of Sevastopol) and had Belgrade on my mind.

The Belgrade seemed fake to me; which made me worry about the others - although the Sevastopol looked good. It was $400 and I was out of cash! :whistle:

Were you wearing your "I'm a rich American tourist" T-shirt again?

Nah, I was wearing my "Poutine is for poor Quebecois" shirt. :P

Rick... I love it! First I've seen! Can you post a pic of the reverse? Always a good idea when posting ribbon bars... and well... just about anything.

Great find! Congrats!

Dan

Dan, I tried to get a photo of the reverse; my camera and my mobile phone. The lighting stinks today; stormy day. I couldn't get a shot that can really be seen well. The reverse is simple felt; it has some hanging threads as if it just came off a uniform. I've seen officers wearing ribbon bars exactly like this one; probably at least a lieutenant colonel's bar.

I found this one almost by accident today; I was looking at some sleeve patches - the display was on the ground on a tarp and leaves were blowing all around, covering up some of the items. And then I noticed a bit of color and found this bar - first Armenian ribbon bar I have seen at the flea market these past 5 months.

Includes on the left (and highest precedence) the Marshal Bagramian Medal, then the red ribbon - there are a couple candidates on the Ministry of Defense website, but since I don't read Armenian I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get a translation - and then two ribbons for the Service Medals. It's not much, but probably my best find today!

Here's another high number Bravery Medal - 3645762.

Here's my Type 2, Var. 2 Distinguished Labor

So, what do you guys think?

ORS

Combat Service

Stalingrad

Victory over Germany

20Y Victory

30Y Victory

Budapest

Belgrade

Veteran Armed Forces

60Y Armed Forces

Well, today was likely my last day at the Yerevan flea market; I'll be here one more week, but probably won't have time on my last weekend. So, here are today's pieces.

A high number Bravery Medal , a Distinguished Labor Medal, and a Soviet ribbon bar with Stalingrad, Budapest, and Belgrade Campaign medals (oh and a Red Star). More in the USSR sub-forum about these.

Also, picked up a Republic of Armenia ribbon bar - with the Baghramian Medal and three others. And two types of Armenian Armed Forces sleeve patch and a Police sleeve patch. Plus field grade parade uniform shoulder boards (just need to get stars for rank). I'll put the ribbon bar in a sub-forum too.

And I did some Christmas shopping! A brandy stand for #1 son; a silver cross and bracelet for #2 son; a silver necklace for daughter; and a bag for wife.

All the dealers at the flea market are going to miss my money when I leave! :P

Franz Kosar (Artillerie im 20. Jahrhundert)

Another book for my Christmas wish list. Santa Claus better get "her" butt on Amazon.com in a hurry! :P

I agree with you, but in the book I read, I´ve found, that the only one gun was placed in Meppen. Not sure, if there were built more than one, and if yes, if they were sent to the eastern front

Given the proclivity to re-cycle old war material and improvise by the Germans, it makes logical sense for there to be more than just one. But like many improvisations, they might not have been well documented. Chris's photo could be the only evidence of this "other" gun.

Great discussion though - detective missions are always fun! And in the search, other things are always learned.

Thanks Andy ! That was two new candidates

best regards christer

Andy's suggestion of a 42cm in Post #13 is actually a second vote for my guess in Post #6 of a 42cm; and after seeing Andy's pictures from WW2, I'm now even more convinced this is a modified version of the 42cm Gamma.

Rick... FANTASTIC finds!!!! And that backgammon set is exquisite!!!!

Dan

Yes, I'm really happy with the backgammon board; I've been looking at these hand-carved boards for the last 5 months and just couldn't find one that I liked that was also the right size (most are way too big) and at the right price. This one is actually the best one I've seen and cost less than two Red Stars. Now at least when my wife kicks my butt playing, it'll be on a really nice board.

Picked this up in Yerevan flea market; dealer said it's from the 1950s. He's been reliable; so, I trusted him... What do you all think? (That is if the pics aren't too dark.)

Here are my - I am sure - very common additions. The brown belt is clearly marked 78r. = 1978. I'm not sure if the belt is original to the belt; it has a makers' mark on the back. And of course, someone has highly polished the front.

The pickings are getting smaller; two belts (one Soviet; one Armenian), a Guards badge from the 50s, a pair of shoulder boards (got these free with the Soviet belt just because I looked at them!), and a hand-carved walnut backgammon board with obsidian stone dice as a Christmas present for my wife (yes, she plays - she's ruthless).

More details on the Soviet belt and buckle and the Guards badge in the USSR sub-forum.

He was Born in 1883

That makes more sense; he would have been 74 in 1957. So, how does this medal fit into the group then: Military Medal 1870 "Value and discipline" in its original box inscribed "Military Medal"?

And I wonder what he was doing 1940-45; in his late 50s.

1870-1918! That is a lot of service time!

Now that you mention it; that is quite a stretch of time. And then there is this: "diploma signed by General in 1957"

Seems like a very old soldier.