Dolf

Not long ago, a well known dealer sold one (WITH DOC) for $795 and right now there is another one from another well known dealer for sale for $970 (WITHOUT DOC). That's how I based "my" today's value info. Dolf

Albert, As far as I know, in most cases, the "1" in the Polar Star I've seen is just a vertical line. But I've seen a few with the "1" as in yours, includind one or two posted in the appropriate thread. Here, Post #10, for example: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=4238 The only one in my collection with a "1" like yours (althought not as long as your "1") has what seems to be a stamped S/N 1617 (rather than the usual engraved ones, but I'm not 100% about this, need to check the Types & Variations list again) and can be seen here, Post #44: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5640&st=40 Can you please post a pic of the obverse of yours? I guess it's of the same T & V of mine. I see no obvious reason to add a number, and I see no traces of a previous number being erased and replaced by the "1"! Just my two cents, Dolf

I'd say rather ~$800-$1000. Dolf

The Grumman TBF-1C Avenger. This one belonged to the VT-2 Squadron from the USS Hornet carrier, August 1944. The Avenger of the VT-2 Squadron distinguished themselves among other battles in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, in June 44. Dolf

Albert, Nice Way to go Check the Forum regularly, as if there's any new info it will be certainly listed here by the data experts Dolf

Albert, As far as I know, from the lists I have, such info is (still) unknown. Dolf

And a pic (photo) of the reverse, it looks better (or at least mint mark and the S/N look clearer) than the scan I guess I have to put one of those Epson scanners Rick recommends on the top list of my priorities... Dolf

Reverse: Dolf

Well, two more pics (scans, rather than the previously posted photos) of this OIV Type 4.1 received today. Also I prefer the red bordeaux background I guess Obverse: Dolf

JC, It does?! Sorry but I just re-checked and can't read that info systematised in any of the posts! If you mean in the pics of one of the books, well, I can't read whatever language that is, either Russian or Mongolian And even those symbols for different metals... man, it's been at least a century I studied that in school and as I went into other litterary areas I guess I completely forgot all about that Anyway, the idea was to mention it for each award, in these threads dedicated to an individual award, where types, variations, etc are also listed, see what I mean. It's also useful info, I guess. Thanks anyway, Dolf PS: Oh, sorry, just noticed that Jan put the translation of those symbols at the end of Post #13 on that thread! So if I got it right, for the O.S-B, it would be gold, silver, platina (Sukhbaatar's head?) + hot enamel. Just like Soviet Order of Lenin? And what is that gray area around his head? Gray enamel? Thanks!

One thing it was not mentioned on this thread is, what are these Orders made of. Ed mentioned above that the more recent ones (T3) are made of brass. I also believe that the areas where on the early types there was hot enamel, it has been replaced on this new one by cold enamel and around Sukhbaatar's head it seems to be some kind of plastic blue paint or something like that. Now, what about the early ones? Gold, silver, hot enamel. And Sukhbaatar's head? Platinium? White gold (as mentioned on Dr. Battushig's book)? And around Sukhbaatar's head? Dolf

Kevin, Keep them coming! Dolf

Wow, very nice! I didn't know you were on this hobby too! Dolf

The two pics above show the piece as I received it. Anyway, I decided to clean it a bit, so this is how it looks now... (I know, I know... Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa ) Well, it will get some patina and dirt and a worn look again in time... Notice that my scanner hates shinny metal items (silver, gold...) Dolf

Reverse: Dolf

Well, never got an answer from that guy about that coat of arms... But I got this one today. Not the same as the one I posted before, quite a few visible differences. As for the details (weight, seize, material), I can't obviously compare as I never got this info about that piece. This one I got today is in silver. Weight: 38,65gr Seize: horizontal (approximately from the cow to the sheep's head) ? 62,65cm vertical (from the top of the star to the bottom) ? 60,78cm It has a screw on the reverse even thought it came without a screwnut. But no mint mark or S/N. Dolf

Btw, about this: "Well, I cant make a model, if I do there is so much glue smeared on it its no longer possible to paint." In your next attempt DON'T use "solid" glue, but liquid glue instead, that you can apply with a brush that comes with the glue. Obviously for different types of materials there are different types of glue. Anyway, for a plastic model kit (as well as for models made of other materials), even if there is a bit too much glue when assembling it, this is not a big problem, as after the glue is dry, one can (in fact must as this is mandatory) polish with sand-paper. For these Verlinden figures, which are made of resin, the best glue is any "cyanoacrilat" glue (always liquid I believe), that exist in tubes that you have to press (not recommended in your case) or in small recipients with a brush (recommended). Dolf

Hi Chris, Yes, I know. I've read and understood the entire thread StephenLawson seems to be the right guy for that, he is a real pro. Dolf

I've made a few Verlinden figures: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5816 Still have quite a few (120mm, mainly WWII + one American soldier from Vietnam war) in their boxes for someday in the future maybe, but not your WWI machinegunner. Nice one btw. Dolf

This/those have been there for quite some time now. The pic of the front is not of the same piece shown on the pic of the reverse. The pic of the front is of Order #161. I know because I took the pic of the piece shown on the obverse pic, as on the obverse/reverse pic shown at the bottom of the page. Dolf

Kevin, I watched that same program, and a few others on that series, these seem quite serious and very well done indeed, using all modern technics and advances in science to explain unsolved or dubious past mysteries. Anyway, the amazing thing is that after all these years the guy who shot the bullet that killed the Red Baron remains unknown! Who would ever imagine that an ace that dominated the skies during that period would be shot by a single bullet shot by a unknown soldier on the ground! Paul, according to this TV program he landed because he was fataly wounded by that bullet shot from the ground. Dolf

Ricky, Nice one! Before Dr. Battushig's book it was usually called Order of RCB (Red Combat Banner). On his book Dr. Battushig calls it Order of the Red Banner of Combat Valor (RBCV)! Dolf

Hi Claudio, Thanks a lot. It makes perfectly sense now. Dolf

Thanks a lot Claudio. Very nice piece indeed! But 61.000 EUR!?! (More than 76.000USD) Sorry for my ignorance on this field, but is this a unique piece, or extremely, extremely rare, kind of only no more than three to five ever made? No diamonds on it, right? What is it made of? Gold, silver, enamel? Thanks again, Dolf

Anyone knows what was item 48? 61.000 EUR !!! Wow! Dolf