Bob

Will provide scans of 2 in my possession tomorrow.

Nr 378 = 36.7 grams +7.5 grams for screw

Nr 630 = 37.0 grams +7.8 grams for screw

The mintmarks appear to be located in different spots although that may just be insignificant.

Will post scans + also dimensions of them tomorrow. Will try to make detailed scan of mintmark.

Do you collect cased awards?

OLD NEWS, BUT INTERESTING

http://newsfromrussia.com/science/2003/05/08/46745.html

14:25 2003-05-08

Mongolia Honours Soviet Soldiers

Ahead of the Victory Day celebrations the authorities of Ulan Bator in Mongolia, that was member of the anti-Hitler coalition, moved the monument to the Soviet tank brigade Revolutionary Mongolia, a T-34 tank, to the foot of the Zaisan mountain, on the southern outskirts of the capital.

Thus, the memorial devoted to Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II "acquired a new, more accomplished look," the municipal authorities believe.

The decision to move the monument, installed in 1970 on the occasion of the Victory's 25th anniversary, in one of the city's central highways, the Genghis Khan avenue, was taken by the Mongolian government in April.

The works to move the tank, that had reached Berlin as part of the Revolutionary Mongolia brigade and then under its own power got to Ulan Bator, were conducted efficiently. The 33-ton vehicle was brought down from the cement pedestal and then taken in a special truck to the mountain, where it was set in its honorary place.

The Revolutionary Mongolia tank brigade was set up in 1942 for the money raised by Mongolian people. Later it was turned into the tank regiment, which is still stationed near Moscow. In October 1964 the regiment was given Mongolia's highest award, the order of Sukhe Bator, the leader of the Mongolian revolution.

"His is Name is Sukhe-Bator"

Sounds like an interesting movie to get on DVD...

http://www.rusfilm.pitt.edu/2006/mother.htm

It's fun to stir up some controversy though:)

And this is the longest thread on the Mongolian forum:)

How fitting that this is the most read thread on the Mongolian forum:)

This thread makes it sound like Alexei died. I hope that is not the case!

Nevertheless, more than sad that his service will stop

This award really is underappreciated. Thought I'd give it a bump.

Something interesting here - can you give me the dimensions of the box itself?

I'll have a look this evening. Few days before this and also some other items will make their way to a more secure environment further away from my scanner

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:)

It might be a medal for artistic work. A "G. Marchenko" was one of the painters who helped on the panorama "Defeat of the Facist Army under Stalingrad" started in 1961. And right next to the medal are what appears to be art supplies, and the style of clothing and hair in the four portraits would place them in the 60's or 70's era.

Regards;

Johnsy

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:)

Hi Bob,

Many thanks! Still going to be a while budget wise before I can jump on one.

Dan

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.

That's not Zhukov, it's Chuikov.

Ahha yes my mistake

Hi Bob,

"Very" nice!!!! Would love to have one... but have to wait until I'm through the land of winter heating bills first and back in the balmy spring... at the very least.

Thanks for sharing.

Dan

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

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2007/post-679-1178996365.jpgMore