Eric Gaumann

Nice! Thanks for sharing. I've only 2 OPW2 but am planning on getting a OPW1 in the distant future (hoping gold prices continue to drop.)

For those wondering "фуфло" translates to 'garbage'.

I'm not an expert but I don't see anything that stands out as being bad here.

First, thanks so much for your help in increasing my knowledge about these! Concerning the quote above regarding lacquer use and my questions that prompted the reply; I just noticed on the first page of this post a silver hallmarked award that exhibits the 'splotchy' patina that I attribute to lacquer. It may not even be lacquer; there are many reasons patina develops in less uniform ways.

Many thanks for that information. I was under the assumption that tombak was lighter, I guess that's not the case. What do you think about that idea of silver-plated tombak? Have you ever heard that? It might explain the patina on your and my examples. I also get the sense that the other, more obvious tombak examples (that have that shiny chrome look), have some sort of clear lacquer applied to them. Agree?

Thank you, Paja! It looks like a Type 1. Do the two metals have a different weight? Can you give weights for silver and tombak in 3rd Class, please? On closer inspection it looks more like T2. So more than likely tombak? It does have that nice patina though. I want to believe.

Are the 3rd class versions, without any hallmarks, always tombak (aka red brass)? I'm looking at an example right now that exhibits a classic silver patina, not the shiny 'chrome' nor the splotchy finish that is typical with tombak. I see no hallmarks and the seller claims "silver" but I'm not sure.

"Military Space Program Qualification badge, 2nd cl, 1989-1991." (From collectrussiadotcom) Should have the late-era LMD mintmark on the lower reverse.

Yeah, the number's a bit wonky, but that could be for numerous reasons. OP, you've seen this page? http://mondvor.narod.ru/ORBan2.htm

Super post, thanks! I especially like the part about the boats.

Gentlemen, Any and all comment appreciated concerning this ZOVO. The serial number puts it around 1915, correct? Any chance of a name?

Enjoy Elysium, Rick, where medal bars grow on trees and passed pets and friends wait. You are missed, here, and will not be forgotten soon. My thanks for your help on this plain.

The fourth one is the best! Harder to find (at least for me). That, and the basic badge without the hole at the bottom. They are the bit more rare, post-war para badges.

In the first photo, Zabaluyev's, what are the ribbons on his two CSMs? They look like German EK2 ribbons?!?!?!?!? Slava, is that photo dated perchance?

My apologies if I've offended anyone, it was NOT my intention. I was just a bit frustrated, not that that's a valid excuse.

I've thought about doing the same; nursing a broken award back to life.

Because; A) That's what forums are for and B) I don't like to bother people privately.

That's all you got, pointing out the obvious? I just dropped a week's pay on this and all I want....man, where are Paul, Alexei and Marc when you need them???

Weight 16.99g +/- .01 Ring unsoldered Unfaded ribbon underneath upper ribbon on obverse seems to have a good deal of gold wash remaining. strange yellowing to ribbon on lower reverse not exhibited elsewhere

Gents, Here is the Belgrade in question in person. I'd like to hear any and all comments be they good, bad or other. Thanks!!!!!! My thoughts on this shortly.

A two-piece badge with the horizontal pin sold on Aukro recently for about $37, after not selling at $40. There are two other priced signifcantly higher that are drawing no interest.

BTW, here's a couple nice websites devoted to some of the badges pictured in this thread. Distinguished railway employee badges: http://nkps-mps.ru/index.php Shockworker of Stalin's labor badges: Soviet Shock-Worker Badges

Super nice early BM, Igor! And Noor's as well. That one looks untouched as it has what I like to think as the early version of the straight pin attachment with two clips, not the much more common four clips.

My small contribution to this excellent thread: Both are unnumbered, mirror reverse models.

Somewhere around 500,00 is the cut-off between T1 and T2.