Eric Gaumann

Looks like he's got an October Revolution in the #1 spot on his left chest, followed by an ORB and a Order of the Badge of Honor. The first and third aren't seen in wear too often. Then he might have a CSM followed by what looks like the same ribbon but the medal shape seems diamond (rhomboid?). Then on row 2 It looks like a Public Order medal but that ribbon don't match ?!?!? Not to mention 3 RSs. And probably a bunch of foreign gongs down below. Yeah, who is this guy?

Isn't the ribbon before the grey one a North Korean award for Sovi participation in a late GPW offensive against the Japanese? Maybe it's related to that somehow?

And the insides....

50th anniversary of the GPW booklet.

And the reverse.

Here's my newly aquired Jasorat medal. (Thanks Brian) I found this at the above link regarding it's award critria: Медаль "Жасорат" учреждена Верховным Советом Республики Узбекистан 5 мая 1994 г. Медалью "Жасорат" награждаются: 1. Военнослужащие, сотрудники Службы нац.безопасности и органов внутренних дел за проявленные храбрость и отвагу при выполнении воинского или служебного долга. 2. Граждане Узбекистана или лица не являющиеся гражданами Республики - за подвиги в охране правопорядка, спасении жизни людей, государственного или общественного имущества во время стихийных бедствий (пожар, наводнение, и проч.) и других чрезвычайных ситуациях. Медаль сделана в форме круга из серебра. При вручении медали "Жасорат" полагается единовременное вознаграждение ? 20 минимальных зарплат. My Cyrillic skills are negligable, and here's a web translation: Medal of "Zhasorat" is founded by the Supreme Soviet of the republic of Uzbekistan on May 5, 1994. The medal of "Zhasorat" is awarded to: 1. Soldiers, the colleagues of the service of [nats].[bezopasnosti] and organs of internal affairs for those appeared bravery and courage with the performance of military or official duty. 2. Citizens of Uzbekistan or face the not being been citizens republics - for the exploits in the protection of law, the rescuing of the life of people, state or public property during the natural calamities (fire, flood, and other) and other extraordinary situations. Medal is made in the form circle from silver.* With the presentation of the medal of "Zhasorat" is relied one-time reward - 20 minimum wages.** * Mine is not. I'm guessing brass with gold plate, or a heavy metal with brass plating. The medal is heavy in the hand; not unlike a silver or a gold medallion. ** I take this to mean a monetary award.

"Durov", I think, is the standard English translation of the author's name. If I'm correct his works are/where common on eBay for a while. He had a booklet about almost every Soviet wartime award; order or medal. I think they got fairly decent reviews. Are you saying there is/are second editions? That are much better? The second link above doesn't do much, even Bablefish translated. (Prompt is not working too well tonight. Might be the hurricane down here affecting it). Holger, can you post a few more images of this booklet please? Bitte? Danke schoen. :)

I saw that one as well (on eBay). The seller claims it as a screw post base (which it obviously ain't). I could have sworn I saw the medallion for sale the same day that was listed, but seperately. But after some intense searching I can't find it. Might have been a whiskey-induced dream of repair. :speechless1:

What does an Umalatova OPW look like?

Considering the first image is being sold as a fake by what seems as a knowledgable eBay seller it's worth is less than an OG3, especially since the number seems to have been messed with. Some idiot will bid 300 on it. I hope it's not you. edit: That was kind of harsh on my part. I in no way mean to imply that you're one of those folk that bid on obvious fakes on eBay. I apologize for even briniging that up. I should not post while enjoying Saturday evening libations. I am sorry.

Nice stuff Patrick! I love that early era stuff. I'd love to figure out what awards they all have. Is one the 'ready for chemical defense' badge?

Spasibo Ricky!!!

Here's the cover, in case anyone's interested. I'm going under the assumption that these are not very common. Anyone care to comment on that observation?

Would someone be so kind as to translate the soldier's name, and the other pertanent information on this page as well, for me? This is from what I take to be a soldier's ID booklet from 1924.

Nice catch Bryan, I didn't notice that until you mentioned it. It's rare to see them in wear. Some nice foreign awards as well on other photos. I saw one guy with a Legion d'Honour and a Croix du Geurre. Great photos! Thank's for sharing Roman

Ugh. What a shame. Not to mention the hack job on the ribbon bar. Just to make it "match". Like we wouldn't notice?

Anyone care to recommend a good dealer for uncleaned coins? I got the itch bad.

Funny how this thread pops up. The last couple weeks I've been fighting the urge to buy an "uncleaned" lot and enjoying the long soak that leads to....something good hopefully. In fact, I'm wearing a Roman coin I cleaned and had mounted as a simple pendant (no damage). I got pix somewheres...

Very interesting. This is the first time I've seen a Crown Order medal actually mounted in any way. I have one, without ribbon. It's a great medal (to a great Order) and about the tiniest of medals. Still, I'm very pleased with mine and even happier to see another one. Thanks.

The top photo I'd say: ORB,ORS DoL,VoG?,? CoBu,VoG(again??),?? ??. MfVL? On Col. Kiva's chest it almost looks like he's got a DoL and a DoK before a CSM. But that can't be a DoK given the date, right?? In any event I love that picture.....those thin bars and wartime date....super!! I'm still on the fence as to wether those are two ORSs, not ORBs on the big bar. The center stripe looks grayer, but that could be wear/fading/grubbiness. It still don't explain what looks like the white, outer stripe of a ORB ribbon on both ribbons though.

I got mine about a year ago for $110 & $70. But those came from Alexei so the price was low. I saw a BM go for $113 on eBay recently. Dunno if it was real though. Eugene's got one of the two (can't remember which) for $245. So I'd expect about $200 for a good one might be close to the price. BTW, here's mine. Mounted, and I didn't feel like popping them off for a reverse shot. I'm so lazy....

I see it's on US eBay for $45. Multiple copies available so I'd presume it's the author or publisher selling them. Shipping from Germany

Better focus on the reverse would help a lot. Better lighting would help as well as the rivets seem to be a different color. I don't see any matches at the Mondvor site so that's not good.

Thanks again for your wonderful insight Rick. It makes this bar a lot more interesting.

Very nice Rick, thanks so much! You're solid on the NK ribbon? At one point I thought it might be Czech as the colors are similar and I thought I'd noticed Czech ribbons being extra wide. But the NK award has something to do with service in the removal of Japanese occupation forces in NK, correct? I was going to presume the RS and the CSm were long service awards (along with the obvious 20 year award) but you've nailed that. But does he not have the 70th Jubilee medal (1988) as his second to last *Soviet* ribbon? Another question; how is his OPW2 for sure an '85 award? Just 'cuz he was an alive vet in 85? No chance of it being a wartime award? I notice he's got no campaign medals is that an indicator?