sftrooper86

I thought I would share a few of my 2nd Class, Order of the Patriotic War's with unique backs.

Enjoy,

Vince

I love when the books have their photo but this one did not. Still a respectable set!

Enjoy,

Vince

This is a nice little set I received some time ago from a fellow collector and thought it could be appreciated here.

Enjoy!

Vince

1 minute ago, Paul R said:

Wow.  Those are amazing.  Which are your most prized?

Hi Paul,

Thank you. I was fortunate to have been able to visit Russia multiple times and bring all this stuff home in 1992/3. I was there with high ranking Moscow Police Officers who made this collection possible. I have lots more to show if anyone is interested. I have many favorites, perhaps the older they are the more I like them. Getting most all of the KGB & KGB Boarder Guard hats was quite a challenge and cost me my liver having to drink with them to gain their trust. That's a story in itself!

What are your current collecting interests?

My best,

Vince

Greetings,

I have a few Russian caps. If there is anything you want to see closer just let me know. Some are for sale, just ask!

Enjoy,

Vince

and a couple Victory Parade Generals from WW2

1 hour ago, Bayern said:

Hello , Was a judge of the Air Force ?

Its notable that the Red Army used the same branch colours as used the Imperia German Army .

Hello,

I do not believe so but am unsure. The Russians do not like to talk about this particular aspect of the early communists. This fellow most likely sentenced many people to death as his job included dispensing justice to those who were not part of the same mind set as the communist party.

One of my favorite uniforms in my Russian collection. Complete, head to toe, Victory Parade Army 1 Star General of Infantry. Included is the never seen General's Overcoat to complete this outfit!

Enjoy,

Vince

M-1925 Armor Corps Lt.

Internal markings

Armored Corps NCO

Greetings to all my old friends,

I am making my return to collecting after a long brake. I would like to share some very interesting uniform items which I have acquired and hope you will enjoy seeing. I welcome all comments. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of these items for their own collection please feel free to contact me.

Happy Hunting,

Vince

Medical Branch General Officer.

Military Tribunal "Judge" of General rank

Medal of Liberty, second class, and Liberation War Commemorative Medal, 1918-1921.

Many thanks Jeff!

Merry Christmas!

Vince

Hello,

I was wondering if by chance anyone might know what these 2 last Finnish medals are on this Police Officer's medal bar?

Happy Holidays,

Vince Leone

Hello,

I was wondering if by chance anyone might know what these 2 last Finnish medals are on this Police Officer's medal bar?

Happy Holidays,

Vince Leone

Hello Gentlemen,

I am wondering if anyone has any opinion on the placement of the awards on this Luft. Pilot's tunic. I know the German wings always have priority and are on top. Is this arrangement eye pleasing? Any suggestions for rearrangement, if so please explain why.

Happy Hunting,

Vince Leone

Hello

No body at all got any views on this? <img src="http://gmic.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="sad.gif" />

Hello David,

Vince Leone here. I love it! A super nice early badge with solid hinge block and round pin! I still do not have this badge in my collection yet. I do have the 2 with out the Blitz though. Have you seen one of these for sale lately?

Well done my friend,

Vince

Hello Gentlemen,

Yet another little gem one of my German contacts located for me. Several friends, especially Andy & TJ and I have completed the research on the owner of this medal bar and here it is.

Alfred Johannes M?ller (20.08.1909 in Sperbitz bei Dresden-07.02.1997 in Kroberg/Taunus).

He entered the Reichswehr 01.04.1929 in 10. Inf. R. (L?bau). After initial training he was promoted Leutn. on 01.05.1933 with a seniority date of 15.10.1932 After serving with Inf. R. Potsdam and then IR 31, he attended the Kriegsakademie from 03.11.1938-25.08.1939.

He served in General staff postions through 1944. For a brief period (13.01-13.03.45) he commanded Parachute Regiment 1. Highest Wehrmacht rank attained was Oberstlt. i.G. 01.05.1943. He was a POW from 02.05.1945-28.03.1947.

Called to the BGS in 1951 as a Major, he served in various posItions (rising to the rank of Oberstlt. im BGS 24.06.1954) until being called up to the Bundeswehr on 30.06.1956, and promoted Oberst the following day. From then until his retirement on 31.03.1968, he served in staff positions with no troop time or commands.

Highest rank attained was Generalmajor- 20.12.1965.

The majority of this information came from: Biblio series "Die Generale and admirale der Bundeswehr 1955-1999", volume three.

Here are the descriptions of the medals found on his medal bar:

1939/1957 Eisernes Kreuz ?

1939/1967 Iron Cross, 2nd Class

Kriegsverdienstkreuz ?

War Merit Cross 2nd Class w/Swords

2 Medaillen Dienstauszeichnung f?r 4 und 12 Jahre ?

4 and 12 Years, Long Service Medals

Niedersachsen Sturmflutmedaille 1962 ?

Niedersachsen Flood medal 1962

Rum?nien Kronenorden mit Schwertern Offizierskreuz ?

Rumania Crown Order with Swords - Officer?s Cross

Italien Tapferkeitsmedaille in Silber ?

Italy Bravery Medal in Silver

Deutsch Italienische Feldzugsmedaille ?

German/Italian - Africa Campaign Medal

And the Medal Bar itself!

Any questions, comments or additional information on this Gentleman would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Hunting,

Vince

Vince,

I just sent you a PDF with M?ller's bio, to include a photograph.

Andy

Hello Andy,

This is wonderful information, Thank you very much! Do you know of a way we can find out what his decorations were? There must a list somewhere, I am surprised they are not in his bio.

I look forward to hearing back from you!

Many thanks,

Vince

Paging through the Biblio series "Die Generale and admirale der Bundeswehr 1955-1999", volume three, the only General named M?ller who had any Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS)service was Alfred Johannes M?ller (20.08.1909 in Sperbitz bei Dresden-07.02.1997 in Kroberg/Taunus).

The photo of him shows only part of his two-row ribbon bar. The odd thing is that the second ribbon on the lower bar appears to be "Frozen Meat Award" (Eastern Front). While it is conceivible he would have left this off his 1957 ribbon bar, it does present a question.

For a moment let's assume this is the guy:

He entered the Reichswehr 01.04.1929 in 10. Inf. R. (L?bau). After initial training he was promoted Leutn. on 01.05.1933 with a seniority date of 15.10.1932After serving with Inf. R. Potsdam and then IR 31, he attended the Kriegsakademie from 03.11.1938-25.08.1939.

He served in General staff postions through 1944. For a brief period (13.01-13.03.45) he commanded Parachute Regiment 1. Highest Wehrmacht rank attained was Oberstlt. i.G. 01.05.1943. He was a POW from 02.05.1945-28.03.1947.

Called to the BGS in 1951 as a Major, he served in various posItions (rising to the rank of Oberstlt. im BGS 24.06.1954) until being called up to the Bundeswehr on 30.06.1956, and promoted Oberst the following day. From then until his retirement on 31.03.1968, he served in staff positions with no troop time or commands.

Highest rank attained was Generalmajor- 20.12.1965.

As I am still a scanning novice and am not eligible to post larger files to the forums, I am not able to post his photo here.

Andy

Hello Andy,

You may have just found him! If I give you my e-mail address will that be large enough for you to send what you have?

It is: vindog86@live.com

Any chance of a photo in your search?

I look forward to working with you on this project!

Many thanks,

Vince

Wehrmacht 12 means entry into the armed forces no later than 1927...

so probably a Major or Oberstleutnant by war's end though the KVK2X is rather odd for a combat Panzer officer.

There is, of course, no worse name to look up without any other Wehrmacht data. Well, "Schmidt," would be a tie.

what does it say on the back of the Italian Bravery Medal? Should be engraved with his name and date of award.

Yes Sir,

My thoughts exactly, just like an American named Smith! This medal bar is on its way to me from Germany. Unfortunately I cannot look yet. The gentleman I purchased it from is well versed in medals, I would be very surprised if he missed that one! One never knows. I kind of agree with your comment about a KVK, I have seen stranger things on medal bars before! At least it has swords!!!

Upon its arrival I will inspect it well. Are you saying even the 1957 reissue decorations should have that information on them? I could see the first war time decoration but a 1957? Have you seen this before?

Thank you very much for your help,

Vince Leone

Hello,

It has been a long time since I have tried to do research on a soldier of the German Army.

Here is what I have:

Offizier der Panzertruppe im Afrikakorps und sp?teren General des Bundesgrenzschutzes M?ller (Officer in the Tanktroops of the Africacorps and later Borderguard General M?ller - the borderguards ment are those of the actual German government).

This has come from my purchase of this 1957 medal bar and Panzer Assault Badge in Silver. The seller provided the above information. I am sorry to say I do not have his first name.

I would like to locate his service record and a photo would be just wonderful. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

My best,

Vince

Very nice pair however very strange combo.

I have found the mini medals running between 10 and 40 euros depending on rarity.

I have just acquired this chain and am trying to figure out which medal I can place in the empty spot. Any opinions would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Vince

That looks like a single-piece cast item.

I can state FOR CERTAIN that these were still being made in 1999 by a firm in Madrid and said firm was ONE of the sources of the British-ordered and now infamous "333" and "666" EK2s floating about. You could tell by the ribbons and the thinner, easily tarnished + bent edges.

This piece here looks almost home-made.

Hello,

I wish we could get some other members who own these crosses to post some photos. It is just such a unique item and I have never seen another. Thank you for your additional information about the possible maker, very interesting.

This piece is quite crudely manufactured as mentioned. There is no way it could fool even the most inexperienced collector into thinking it was a German made EK2. This lends creedance to my belief that it really is a war time/early postwar piece.

It looks like it was painted with a paint brush! If you look closely you can find spots where the black paint got on the "silver" frame. Even though it is a one piece cross, the workmanship leaves something to be desired. They used brass rings where the German's used silver. A hole was drilled into the top of the cross for the rings. No respectable German EK maker would ever do such a thing, even during the last days of the war.

The pin device is also made from brass and is exactly like other war time Spanish made decorations I have seen. It is very unique to the Spanish. The reverse of this pin device is also quite crudely made. The brass pin is not finished at the point, its just snipped off and perhaps had the sharp point buffed a bit.

This has been a fascinating study for me and would like to put out a call to other collectors to please post photos of their Spanish made EK2s.

Thank you,

Vince

Hello Vince,

This cross and many others were made in Spain, and still making them as a replacements for Blue Division veterans. There are many different variations, from the nice quality to the terrible crude types. I guess, the older, the better.

I hope this has been helpful.

Regards,

Dolfek.

Thank you Dolfek,

Can you estimate a date of manufacture on this cross? Do you have a photo of another?

Happy Hunting,

Vince

Hello,

Can anyone tell me about this medal? When were they made? Who were they issued to? Any other relevant information would be appreciated. Please post your photos if you have one too!

Thank you,

Vince