sftrooper86

Hello!

The "UT" marked were manufactured for the R.S.I. Italian armed forces or the occupying Germans.Not spesific for the Germans Air Force.

Best regards

Nesredep

Here we go again!

There really seems to be a lot of discussion about this mark. Perhaps we will never really know what it means.

Keep digging!

Vince

This is a unit award banner for participation in the Tet campaign of 1968. The badge in the center is the Tet Campaign badge often seen as a "tinnie" on the right uniform breast of PAVN/NVA soldiers. The badge reads "Victory 1968. The translation is "Vietnamese Peoples Army" at the top and "Overall Offensive and Uprisng, Spring 1968" at the bottom. I hope this helps

Ron

Hi Ron,

Thank you. Thats pretty much exactly what I thought!

Vince

I've seen a few, but I just started looking for them, too. Prices I've seen range from $400-$800, but at the higher end they don't currently seem to be moving.

Ian

Hello Ian,

Please drop me an e-mail at vindog86@cox.net

Thank you,

Vince

Nice badge. These are my favorite LW badges aswell

Thanks guys,

Always nice to hear good news about a purchase. 2 out of 6 aint bad

Sure would love to run into that fellow again who sold me those bad badges

Jerks like that ruin the hobby for everyone!

Peace through superior firepower!

Vince

Richard,we need to talk Seriously,when I remember the WAF rarity stats I always had the feeling that a few things have to be requested. First we should separate the known ring stampings from the paper bags! Maybe we could list the makers with the rings? For example-I've never seen an "86" stamp in a ribbon ring-all as "86" introduced ones have tourned out as "98" Souvals.On the other hand a few things are missing(for example the 136 micro stamp).

Micha

Thanks Gentlemen,

Its the beginning of a long journey!

My best,

Vince

Good Evening Gentlemen,

Is there any way to tell if this is period WW1 or are they faking these too? As seen in Previtera's Iron Cross book on page 222.

Your thoughts please.

Thank you,

Vince

There are a bunch that are going to be hard to find. If I were you I would start by picking up some of the more common makes in good condition at a good price because many collectors already have them. Among the makes I see pop up often are 4, 13, 24, 25, 27, 55, 65, 100, 113. There are others, but these should be the easiest to achieve. Even these are going to run you close on a thousand US maybe more, so it's a long term thing.

Hello Steve,

Thank you very much for the info. Now how about the rarest ones.

Thanks again,

Vince

I would say that the unit mark can be interpreted as Bavarian 16th Infantry Regiment, 11th Company. A second possibility but less likely would be Bavarian 16th Infantry Regiment Staff, Weapon number 11. I doubt the latter because traditional unit markings called for the weapon number to be 2.1mm and the unit number be 3.1mm.

Thank you George,

My guesses were way off!

My best,

Vince

Vince, the photo below shows what a complete set would look like. Depending on condition, 1939 EKIIs seem to average somewhere between $70-$150, and seem to be go up in price about 10% a year. Please keep us up to date on your progress!

Scott

(Just kidding with the photo )

WOW!

Thanks Rich! That's the jackpot wealth of information! Can you help me on my journey? I am assuming you know how it is done. Also which are the most difficult to locate by your personal experience.

Thank you again!

My best,

Vince

Hi Paul,

How come my photo does not show under my name like yours?

Vince

I can see them.....anyone else care to weigh in?

Hi Vince,

Neither image is coming in... can you please post them directly to the site? I can resize them for you if you would like, this evening.

Paul

Hi Paul,

How come my photo does not show under my name like yours?

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

I wish to start collecting WW2 EK2s by maker marked ring numbers. How many are there? Which numbers are the most difficult to find? How much can I expect to pay for the different ones?

Is this a futile undertaking? Can it even be completed in ones lifetime? Any suggestions on who to contact to start this journey (dealer/collector) I have a lot of trading fodder if anyone is interested.

Thank you in advance,

Vince

What a day!

I really took it in the shorts from this fellow in Canada. I really must stay away from the badges, or at a minumum find a trustworthy dealer/buddy.

This just hurts way too much. Really takes the fun out of it!

My best,

Vince

Hello Again Gentlemen,

Is it good or not.

Thanks guys!

Vince

Gentlemen,

Thank you again for all your help. Please give me your opinions if it is good or not.

My best,

Vince

Thank you guys alot,

I guess I really got burned from a gent in Canada. I appreciate knowing the truth as painful as it is.

Thanks again,

Vince

Yea or Nea? It is unmarked.

Thank you!

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

I have not seen this style of medals offered for sale with any regularity so I thought I would share a few of mine for your viewing pleasure! Was this style popular with the soldiers in W.W. 2 as well? I do not believe I have ever seen a W.W. 2 period photo of them being worn. Does anyone have a photo you would like to share?

Are they considered desirable to medal collectors?

My favorite mini is the Red Eagle Order, it is actually hand painted. Yes, the mini is hand painted. the artwork is very impressive. Just can't beat those Germans for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Enjoy & Happy Hunting!

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

Your opinions please. Is this a real one? If so please fill me in on the deatils, such as is it an early war produced badge. Is this the correct box for this maker?

Thank you,

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

One question.....is it real? If it is please tell me about it if you will.

Thank you again,

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

I am not a badge expert. Could I ask for your assistance to identify this badge in as much detail as possible. I believe it a pre-war made, mid-war pilot's badge from a well known maker. Any other info. on rivets, catch and pin would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

I have had this little beauty for some time. I never knew the Luftwaffe were issued the fewest number of this particular campaign shield. Too bad the wool backing has some damage. The color is Luft blue. Could not get a better quality photo!

Are these tough to find? Any idea on a fair market value?

Happy Hunting!

Vince

I have heard that many North Vietnamese medals are referred to as "Bottle tops" as they were pressed out of thin metal. Is this true?

Regards,

Jim Morrison.

Yes Jim,

With the exception of only 1 or 2 they were all made from very thin tin type metal.

Happy Hunting,

Vince

I have seen this dagger and I do not believe it to be a fake! If possable I will submit link!

heck this site out!

Italian Fascist Dagger with Hanger (Item I-FAS 1-6)

DESCRIPTION: Here is the classic M.V.S.N. Model 1937 dress dagger with double chain hanger and the gold and black portepee like the Model 1932. The Model 1937 grip is unusual in that its features face the trailing edge rather than the more normal leading edge. The face of the belt snap has a large Roman eagle outlined in black paint over the letters ?SPQR,? Senatus Populus Que Romanus, (For the Senate and the People of Rome). The ?MVSN,? Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale, (Volunteer Militia for National Security) is more commonly called the ?Black Shirts.? This dagger is in excellent plus condition. It was worn of course, but never abused. The blade is mint! The gold-plated scabbard tip is tarnished to a small degree; however, this does not detract from the overall beauty of this rare and historically important Fascist weapon. Length in scabbard is 14 inches. Very few of these ever show up.

http://www.germaniainternational.com/italy.html

Thank you!

You are correct, it is the leaders dagger!

Happy Hunting!

Vince

Hello!

I hope i can help you tomorrow ,with a photo.

Regards

Nesredep

Thank you Sir!