Ramblinfarms

And another: http://www.manions.com/bid/bid.aspx?itemid...mp;pic=20060703

Another: http://www.manions.com/bid/bid.aspx?itemid...mp;pic=20060703

http://www.manions.com/bid/bid.aspx?itemid...mp;pic=20060626 Check out this link Gentlemen. What do you think of these?

Yes, indeed!

When you're hooked, You're hooked but good!

One thing I just noticed on the badge, the cyper seems to be applied upside down?! Perhaps it came off and was reapplied at some point by someone that didn't know up from down.

Thanks George. I was lucky enough to get a copy of "Imperial Russian Breast Badges"-by Werlich and Andolenko, from Mr Markov.

Thanks George, I see what you mean!!! I have seen both of these sites. The first one made me very leery for some reason. Maybe collector's survival instinct? He had one regimental badge for sale that I had the opportunity to compare to a real one that was in a NY Auction House Sale Catalogue. When you had them side by side, you could see it was a fake. Where or who do you think are reputable Dealers, collectors who are willing to sell or trade? Ebay has always made me very nervous!! I do think my badge from Manion's is real, but I don't think Manion's knows much, if anything, about Imperial Russian. (I have some friends who work there, and it is 20 minute drive from my office.) Have you dealt with Dmitry Markov in New York? I have never seen Dmitry Gurevich list a regimental badge before. He usually has high $$$ Faberge and Russian art and silver. Thanks for all you help, and I look forward to when you get a chance to post those fakes you were talking about. Chris

The Guy seems okay at first glance. Same ebay ID for 6 years with several thousand positives and 2 negatives. A member over at WAF said he sold him a fake Para Helmet and only got half his money back, but other than that, no one seems to say anything bad about him. He is in Boston, but came to the US from Russia in 1990 to attend university. He has a partner/picker he works with who is in Russia. I wish the badge would get here. (Maybe he has to wait till they make him another one?! )

Amen to that. The Badges are beautiful but it scares me to death that about 90 percent of what you see for sale is fake. Ironically, I got out of WWII German cloth, etc because of all the fakery. The Manion's photos, as usual, do not do the Badge Justice. The numbers and crown and pebbling are very crisp, sharp , and detailed. The eagle has fantastically detailed feathering with minute detail to the Orb and Sceptre.

Hi George: I wish I actually had the Badge rather than just the photos so I could go over it more carefully. So you think the wire on the cyphers should be a heavier gauge? What do you mean by "bad details in the background"? I, m not sure about the lettering. Could be the scanner and the reflection. The lettering should be crisp and sharp, correct?

I thought I'd boot this one back to the top of the forum. Anyone have any comments? I still don't have it in hand (3 weeks and counting) , but it looks good to me in comparison to the reference books. Made by Kortman? It's coming from Dmitry Gurevich of Level 60 Trading Co, Boston, MA. Have the twins heard of this guy?

Thanks George. I have the Badge in hand, and I am satisfied it is a real one. I have been over it from top to bottom with a 10x loupe and the patina and wear are the real deal. It appears genuinely old, and not artificially aged. I heard that enlisted versions are actually rarer than the officer's version. Is that correct?

36-1 pekh. Orel R- f. book Warsaw deg the paskevicha-Erivanskeyeo regiment 7.1.1914 White enemal equilateral cross with the gold rim. On it the silver oxidized two-headed eagle, on breast of which the connected gold additional monograms of the emperors of Peter I and Nikolai II. In the upper part of the cross gold additional emperor crown, below inscription by gold: "1711.19. 11.1911"148. This is interesting. The one from Manion's is misidentified as the 30th Rgt. There is no enameling on the badge, but the cross is a silvered bronze with a gold eagle. Other than that, it is identical. Could the one from Manion's be the enlisted/NCO version?

Thanks Pete. That is a great lead.

There is not enough money in the world to pay for the education you get when you read and participate in this Forum. My thanks and best wishes to all who lend their time and expertise to assisting relative "newbies" such as me!

Really nice. The Oaks and Laurals remind me of the wreath on Luftwaffe Qualification Badges.

So this sort of Jeton was a personal item, personally "commissioned"? Would you have been allowed to wear this on a uniform? Did a large numebr of people have these done, or are they very rare?

Thanks Chuck. Actually, I posted two badges for comments on the Imperial Russian Forum that I have not had feed back on. One is a 30th Regiment Badge, and the other a Life Guard Currassier Badge. I get the impression that there is not a whole lot out there as far as reliable references, and you have to be mentored by trustworthy and experienced collectors. I did secure a copy of "Imperial Russian Breast Badges" by Andolenko and Werlich from Dmitry Markov. It was expensive, but a necessary tool if I want to collect in this field. I hear that the fakes are as bad in Imperial Badges as in most other areas of collecting, and buyer beware is the rule of the game. I don't think I can rely on the "Twins" for feedback on Imperial Russian, although they have been indispensible to me for my growing knowledge of Imperial German. I have really enjoyed yours and Georged's posts on this fascinating subject, and I look forward to learning! Chris Werner

Thanks for taking the time to share this beautiful badge with us. It is a great learning experience for those of us interested in Imperial Russian Badges, but without the wherewithall to see original examples. It is a real beauty! I finally did manage to secure a copy of Werlich and Andolenko's Imperial Russian Breast Badges.

Kind Gentlemen: I did my research and this piece looks okay to me. However, any feedback from the more experienced members is always appreciated. Is this the officer's version of the badge? I have had trouble finding out anything about this Regiment, though. Could someone please assist me or point me in the right direction? Your assistance is most appreciated, as I am learning.

http://www.manions.com/bid/pastbidsitemdet...2532&list=30578 Any comments on this one? Where could one find a history of the Regiment. Thanks

Please tell me why you come to that conclusion. Do you have an original to compare attributes with? The seller guarantees it is pre-1917 manufacture, so I can get my money back if I can show him why it is a repro. Thanks.

Very very nice! The more Imperial Russian I see, the more I am totally taken by it. They sure had a wide variety of beautiful awards, badges, medals and orders. I would love to see more, and a thread of regimental badges, too. Thanks for sharing. Chris

What a great story!