Chuck In Oregon

Yes, WOW! for sure. Thank you for sharing this treasure with us and thank you, Paul, for the quick identifications. Welcome to GMIC, Jakob. Friendly help like this is the norm here. Chuck

I really like that picture. They look very dignified. They must have survived a lot. Chuck

Page 30-31? Well, maybe. I saw that one but I decided mine isn't that badge because of the St. George ribbon and the pin back. Also, the crown is out of proportion on that one. I'm not yet convinced. And you're right, it's really not that plain. Chuck

Yes, it is close but one plain red cross looks like another, for the most part. But what would explain the St. George (?) metal ribbon around it. I have no definitive explanation and it doesn't appear in my medical badges reference book, although that is admittedly not comprehensive. Thanks for the help. Your explanation is very possible the right one. Chuck

Same story. During my re-org I found two more Imperial medical badges. Here's the first one. I have the meaning of the letters written down somewhere but I haven't come across it yet. Here's the second. I don't think I have notes on this one (remember, I'm reorganizing) but I think it's the badge of something like a regimental surgeon. As always, I appreciate corrections and comments. Enjoy. Chuck

That is a great display. Wish I could have seen it in person. Congratulations on winning and on educating the attendees on your subject. Chuck

Hello AD and welcome to GMIC. If this is one of your interests then you've found the right place. I'm looking forward to the things you will share with us. I do not pretend to any expertise but we do have some real experts here. If I had received Igor's advice about the two crosses, I know I'd take it gratefully. How about telling us a little about yourself and what you collect? I guarantee that you'll find some kindred souls here. Chuck

Your attitude and willingness to help are part of the best things about this forum. Believe it or not, I found two more medical badges today. Same story. I had gone to Tbilisi in 2009, brought them home and immediately shelved them when our problems arose. This clean-up is like a treasure hunt. I also found a bunch of sketches and some great old photos, same story. I can't post them today. I'm about to get busy here but tomorrow or Sunday or maybe late in the evening. But soon. That little Alexander II badge is a mystery, isn't it. I hope one of us can figure it out. One of the two new badges may stump you. You'll see. Chuck

Thank you for the excellent help. There was a time when my ignorance would embarrass me so much that I wouldn't post for a long time after. These days I just take it for granted. I love learning this stuff. Chuck

As I may have mentioned, I've recently had the time and inclination to get active in the hobby again. Hauptmann helped me a lot with that. As a big part of that I've been cleaning up my man-cave and organizing a lot of things that are long overdue. When I reached into the back of one shelf I found a plastic bag with these three badges in it. It finally dawned on me why they were there. I brought them back from Tbilisi in 2009. Very shortly after I came home my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, her second cancer diagnosis. To the back of the shelf the badges went, uncatalogued and unnoticed. As you might imagine, our lives changed dramatically and all my interests became very unimportant and stayed that way until recently, at the end of her lengthy recovery from yet another very serious problem. The important good news is that she's healthy, strong and flexible today. So here they are, three badges I've had since 2009 but am just now sharing. On the left is a Military Medical Academy badge. On the right is what I believe to be a Military Dental Academy badge. I don't know what the small Alexander II badge is. I'm hoping someone can tell me. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2013/post-616-0-88968700-1379635460.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2013/post-616-0-03672000-1379635477.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2013/post-616-0-57640600-1379635493.jpg The book is one of my best references on Imperial medical badges. I show the dental academy badge (?) on the bottom right along with an explanation of it. I'm enjoying the hobby again and this was a real surprise find. Chuck

And finally, for now, a 1932 Spartakiad pin. I don't know whether it is just a souvenir or if it had a particular meaning. Does anyone know? Kind of nice, either way. Chuck

Here are a few more: I finally identified the right item, thanks to the site that kimj recommended, as a broken-off piece of an early ODVF badge/pin. Here's one of my best and favorite badges: And finally, an Auto-Lovers Club, which I didn't know was related: Hope you like 'em. Chuck

I found a few more things to share here. Two are Georgian ODVF and I think the third one is, too. I have never seen any of these three anywhere else. If you have, please let me know where to look. I really like the red ODVF flag. Got a couple more coming up. Chuck

My notes on this group, which I call my Dobrokhim Group: Leonid Petrovich Filipov - Militia MVD worker - 4 photos pre- and during WW II - 3 Oso badges (1 Physiculture, 1 Dobrokhim, 1 GTO) Top right photo is 1943, large photo is 1942 Enjoy. Chuck

This taught me more about the "Defense of" Societies: Background of the Air Fleet, Aviakhim and Osoaviakhim Societies: The new Soviet government initiated programs for the development of air communication and defense throughout the Soviet Union in 1923. To stimulate the interest of the people in aviation and to gain funds to help support air-related projects, the Soviet government sponsored the formation of aviation clubs – the O.D.V.F. (Society of Friends of the Air Fleet) in Moscow and in other major cities and districts throughout the country. The O.D.V.F. and the smaller chemical defense society (Dobrokhim) joined in 1924 to form the Aviakhim (Air and Chemical Defense Society). Within two years (1927), as the military took greater control of the Soviet government, military and other defense organizations (Society for the Assistance in Defense – Oso) were amalgamated with the Aviakhim to form the Osoaviakhim. From a synopsis of FOR THE RED AIR FLEET – Soviet Russia’s Air Fleet Semi-Official Stamps (and) Labels So ODVF + Dobrokhim = Aviakhim, - then - Aviakhim + unnamed (yet) defense organizations = OsoAviakhim. Now I'm going to share my related society badges here instead of starting a new thread. I hope other members will do the same. Chuck

GREAT site! I've bookmarked it and I expect to refer to it often. Thank you. Chuck

I found this photo of my old (and now gone) Osoaviakhim plaque. I forgot that, back in 2004, I had posted it on another forum. Here's part of what I wrote there back then: I was walking down a small street in Tbilisi recently and I saw this plaque over the door to an old apartment building. Actually, a 19th century home that had been collectivized. I was really surprised to see it and I had no idea what it signified, only that it was an Oso something. I have a small collection of Osoaviakhim items and, naturally, I thought this would make a nice addition to it, if only I could ... So I mentioned it to a friend and when I told him where the building was he said "My cousin owns that building. Do you want that plaque?" Well, yes I do. So the next day they unbolted it from the building and tried to scrape/clean several decades of house paint off of this porcelain plaque. Maybe not real procelain, but I don't know what else to call it. It seems a little finer than just plaster, but maybe that's all it is. Enjoy. I wish I still had it. Chuck

This is a very early Aviakhim badge. I found it today while I was setting up a small group in a Riker Mount. Anyone seen one before? I don't know Aviakhim/Osoaviakhim history so I don't even know the when or why of the name change. Enjoy. Chuck

Very nice couple of photos. Thanks for sharing them. I have a couple hundred photos that I'm just starting to go through for the first time since I bought them years ago. I'll share anything interesting. I'm enjoying my renaissance of collecting, thanks to Hauptmann. Chuck