Bob

All this talk about the oligarchs... honestly, there surely aren't THAT many oligarchs around (hence the phrase oligarch!) and do we really believe they get satisfaction from having their "fifteenth" hero star? I think not.

Gentlemen, Major source of information on medals from Albania has indicated that it is possible to find out through research the names of people awarded these numbered Skanderbeg but no further research likely (for the moment) in archives due to sensitive nature as a result of the fact that people awarded these are still alive (and so are their anti-communist enemies). This is a major breakthrough in Albanian awards and offers tantalizing prospects for future archival research. In the meantime, this obviously also raises questions... are there also numbered first/second class Skanderbeg's? Current standing of numbered 3rd class: - highest number seen 802 - lowest number seen 378

By the way, anybody here able to give a full translation of the diploma?

Well, without the glass / plastic in front I guess the diploma's probably wouldn't be in possession of the museum anymore for us all to enjoy... but damn tricky to make nice clean photographs:)

That would make sense as the section also exhibited other awards related to the Stalingrad Panorama Museum (e.g. the Distinguished Architect award + document to the architect of the building).

Mamayev was definately full of people (although above pics don't give that impression) and also in city center it was quite busy (although much more "low key" than the celebrations in Moscow as I saw on TV). When in center of Volgograd it's hard to imagine that it's a city with 1M inhabitants. All in all an enjoyable and relaxed visit. In 2 months will be travelling to Belarus to visit, among other places, Brest Fortress. Been there a few years ago and was impressed then... but now I'll also have some phaleristic thoughts in my head while lookking:)

That's what I thought as well when I wanted to buy my second Mongolian Sukh Baatar... but prices were going up higher quicker than I could save so in end I jumped in. I'm afraid that same thing is happening with this specific Bulgarian item.

Ahha yes my mistake

there's one available on sammler-cabinett.de right now

Christian - would you walk up to him and tell him "excuse me sir, you shouldn't wear those awards"? If so, please let me know in advacne so I can position my camera for an interesting scene:) Seriously, interesting point you raise. I am not aware of such details on Soviet awards so rely on the experts to spot these issues. Sort of like "stolen valor" issue in US?

something more like this...

While in Volgograd, also visited Victory Day celebrations. Some pics. I would have expected a guy of this age to wear some awards that I actually recognize...

last one

More

more

And another one... SB spotted:)

Had a look at my SB's today... there's also a distinct difference between Screwback and Pinback... have a close look at SB's head and the "bulge" on his cheak. Clear way to identify a pin/screwback from the front.

Another old one

Another nice one... from Stalingrad Panorama Museum

Thought I'd post this pic somewhere and this thread seemed OK:) Zhukov box:) As seen in Stalingrad Panorama Museum

No clue - but let's see what can be found out:)

A pic from around Mamaev Kurgan on Victory Day last week... this guy has done some interesting stuff I am sure!

Seen in Stalingrad Panorama Museum

In addition, a rare award document for an honored architect! The architect of the Stalingrad Panorama Museum:)