JapanX

Many non-military colleges in USSR (like Institute of Roads and Bridges, Electro-technical Institute, etc...) had so called военные кафедры/military chairs (sections). At the same time many non-military colleges with military sections were open to experienced army officers under 34 years of age.

Paul, this is not Kirov Medical School. This is "ВМА им. Кирова" Military medical academy named after S.M. Kirov It is located in Leningrad. One of the oldest medical academies in Russia. Established in 1798. Became military academy in 1881. Named after Kirov in 1934.

Not necessary. It also can be the badge of a) law colleage b) badge of Moscow financial-economic institute. "Law" badges have blue enamel. "Pedagogical" badges have green enamel. Moscow financial-economic institute have dark blue enamel.

The funniest thing is that modern dictionaries give us "Ministry of communication" and only one dictionary (specialized in transport terms) gives the correct (by context) translation "Ministry of railways". Yes, "orange" guys were busy with the railways and railways only. KGB also had special department for railways. For more info about MPS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Railways_(Soviet_Union) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_the_Soviet_Union

Hmmm... I guess better way of translating MPS will be "Ministry of railways" (word by word translation - ministry of communication lines) So these dudes are from the same department.

Guess this is instead "thanks" Well, good for you... As far as I understand orange piping indicate branch of service - MPS (ministry of transport communications) They have like zillion different variations of caps (one for every decade). http://www.undertheredstar.com/vokhr.htm http://www.vedomstva-uniforma.ru/mundir7/vohr_nkps/index.html

ВОХР МПС СССР для начсостава/VOChR MPS for commanding officers. ВОХР- Войска ОХраны Республики МПС - Министерство Путей Сообщения Pretty rare ;)

Пожалуйста! :beer:

Successful female entertainers? Probably ...

The back inscribed Please accept as a token of memory much-esteemed Artumiy Ivanovich Turgenov September 8, 1877 K. Venitchenkof Photo was made in Kharkov. He looks like a local official ... Maybe a merchant? Cheers, Nick

50k's ... These were the days ... of glory

I really like the way he mounted them

Hallo Prussian, maybe probationer from Whampoa Academy? Cheers, Nick

Of course!

Probably a) shipping company awards b) department of navigation awards c) charity awards Cheers, Nick

I meant vous m'en direz tant! During the reign of Alexandre II Russia had only one medal for "life saving activities" (to be more precise "за подвиги человеколюбия, с опасностью собственной жизни совершенные, но не подходящие под действие орденских статутов"). It was the medal "За спасение погибавших" (it was established by Nikolay I in 1828). Personally I don't see it among the trinkets on the chest of this brave sailor Regards, Nick

You don't say! I wonder how many poor souls were saved because of these two modest heroes ...

Even more hilarious than the previous one!

Impressive!

Unknown hero of unknown front ...

Lieutenant-general Bagration-Muchranskiy

Vice-admiral Peshurov A.A.

Exellent example of wearing "in the bar"! Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh