Hauptmann

Possibly this one if it is indeed a green white green ribbon? Dan

Hi Rick, Still not sure of the award but here is a quote on the crowns from Ribbons Of Orders, Decorations And Medals by Guido Rosignoli: "Small metal crowns are worn attached to the service ribbon in order to identify the class of an order; three, two and one gold crowns are worn by the three top classes respectively, a silver crown identifies the Officer while the Knight wears the plain ribbon" I originally thought the ribbons were blue white blue... with the one faded grey white gray. But I can't find any to match any of those or a faded green white green either. But the crown devices match those pictured in his book. Dan

Hi Kevin, Okay... here we go: Three ribbon bar on the lower left of the pic which is upside down: Cross of War Not sure???? Medal for the Albanian Campaign I went on the assumption that these have lightened a bit with age, being in the sun, etc. The big blue and white section of ribbon is for the Cross of War (Croce di Guerra). The one just above that is for the medal for the War of Independence. I can only assume the star means there was one or more additional awards of the medal. Three ribbon bar below the large Cross of War ribbon: Cross of War Spanish Campaign 3rd type Volunteer in Spain 1st type Then up to the top right hand three ribbon bar: Cross of War and Military Valor (the latter is signified by the sword device on the ribbon) Cross of War War medal (1915-1918) (Hard to see but if it's green/white/red repeated (total 6 times) then that should be it, with multiple awards I'd assume due to the stars.) Bar on cloth backing: First Row: Not sure???? Italo Turkish War (1911) medal Not sure???? Second Row: Medal of Italian Unity Campaign in Spain 3rd Type Volunteer in Spain 2nd Type Third Row: Italian Republic - Long Service (Officer or NCO) in the Public Security Police (Not sure on this one... closest I can come to an Italian ribbon with 9 red stripes on a white background. The embroidered gold star is, I believe, simply a collar device worn by Italian Army Officers. I hope I at least got the majority of this right. Hope it helps. Dan

Hi Kevin, Right off the bat those three large pieces... I believe they're sleeve rank insignia for a Sub-Lieutenant in the Italian Royal Navy during WWII. Equivalent of a 2nd Lt. in their Army. I'll see what I can come up with on the ribbons. Dan

Hi JC, I'll second Doc on that... many thanks for the total. Just out of curiosity where did you get your info? I've not been able to find very much information on Bulgarian awards so far... at least not in English. Dan

Many thanks my friend! Definitely not mint condition but it's been there and done that for sure! One of those things that "if only they could talk, the tales they could tell." Dan

Hi Gordon, Again I'm not absolutely positive that it's not just a case of the clear coat having come off with the enamel. This seller doesn't seem to deal in militaria items that much judging by their listing. And there was a tag attached to the badge when I got it saying basically that it was an East German badge and the original price was $28 and on the reverse it had been lowered to $25 which I'd definitely call wishful thinking! I think it's an antique shop and that they really don't have a clue on this sort of thing. But I'll be interested to hear back from them as to what happened here. Perhaps they'll offer a partial refund but I'm not holding my breath. As it is I left them a good feedback and have yet to receive one in return. Says he/she works a day job so to be patient with communications... assuming that means feedback as well. We'll see what happens. Thanks! Dan

Hi Grant, I do basically agree on the Bester... however I only paid $4.95 "but it now" with $2.50 shipping. Unless the seller either just sends me another one or pays for shipping back, etc., it's hardly worth it to send it back to get another one. And I'm actually thinking it may be the same that perhaps the clear coat came off with the enamel and they either didn't realize it or it just got thrown away or something. So they might not even have another. I've written the seller (kimberh2006 out of Lake in the Hills, IL, United States... feedback of 1580 with only 5 negatives so not bad at all.) in the hopes this can be explained. Will let you know what if anything comes of it. And many thanks on the explanation of the pins. I should have remembered that but just wasn't thinking clearly. Many thanks on the kampfgruppe badge and the medal bar. Dan

Another nice one Grant... keep em' coming!!!! Dan

Hi Christian, No problem on the Yugo badges... really like them. Wish they weren't so rare and expensive... but always nice to look. I may have to give him a nudge and see if he'll pop over and take a look. Re: your other post I'd not even noticed the directions the guns were pointing till you mentioned it. Thanks for pointing that out! I mean, if it's a variation it's a neat one. But if it's a fake I'd definitely want to know that too. I'm of course still hoping for the former but I'm prepared for the latter. I figure for what I paid it was less than I'd expected to put out for a gold fleet badge... so as far as I'm concerned I got the rest for free! Well, here's hoping it turns out well but either way at least it's better to know. Thanks again! Dan

Hi Christian, Many thanks! A bit rich for my blood right now but I sure do like them! Dan

Hi Doc, I've also got a full set of these... at least once the 1st and 2nd class arrive from Bulgaria. When I got mine about three years ago I think I paid something like $12 to $15 for it. It was on Ebay and no one else bid so I got it for the minimum. I've wanted to complete them ever since. But at that time and for the longest time since they actually tended to be pricey. They ran around $40 to $75 each and sets ran $100 and up easy. But for some reason the prices came down in the last year or so and you can now find them, especially through Bulgarian sellers for much cheaper prices. Try: boev60 on Ebay. He's out of Pazardjik, Bulgaria. He generally puts up complete sets for $38.00 or best offer. He ships for $6 for registered mail which is how mine are coming. My question on these... were holders of all three classes known as Cavaliers as they were with the Order of Labor Glory in the Soviet Union? And if so did they also have similar benefits that came along with the honor? Thanks, Oh, I just realized... this is my 2,500th post! All since last April!!!! I never woulda' thunk it! Dan

Hi Christian, Very nice badges indeed! I especially like the newer type from the 70's as it's so colorful. About what do those run out of curiosity? Very interesting thread. Hope it continues for some time... I for one would love to see more examples. Dan

Hi Kevin, Many thanks! Again I'd never heard of that and it's very interesting. I did know that some would "rattle" in their frames but I always felt this was just something that happened over time with wear and tear and didn't know it was due to a duel core being used. See... Ve German's vas vay ahed of our time! Ve had Duel Cores before anyvun else!!!! Seriously though, it was great reading through that thread and seeing the great pics there. Thanks for sharing it with me/us. Dan

Hi Christian, Many thanks! As far as if the one is good or a variation or what I'm perhaps some of the others who may have specialized in this area will chime in and give their opinions. It's hard to describe but I'm sure you've felt it before... when you see a piece and something just doesn't seem "right". It may be a perfectly legit badge... just a variation or type I've never seen before. I do hope that's the case. But I'd like to be sure one way or the other. I basically have nothing in it. I got three of them... the gold fleet badge, another silver ship badge which I'm giving to Vic (Order of Victory) and this one. I'd originally intended to send that extra silver sub badge to Vic as well but I've told him I'll get him another as I definitely don't want to send him a fake for his collection, and if a variation I do collect those when I can. But I promised to make it up to him and I'm sending him some other pieces which I'm hoping make up for it in some small way. I've basically agonized over it all day but feel this is the way to go. I'll have to check out your thread on the Yugo badges as well. Sounds very interesting. Dan

Hi Kevin, I'd never heard that before. Far as I know the core is a solid piece of iron... just as in the case of the one I have. It's held between the two silver frames which are silver soldered together. Again, that's the way I've always known it to be. Perhaps some of our experts on Iron Crosses can chime in here. But I've no reason to believe this to be anything but authentic. I got it in a dealers junk box a couple decades ago. Probably paid a couple of bucks for it. It's identical in size to the cores in all the IC's I have and the details look correct. It's just definitely been there and done that. Anyhow here's hoping we'll get some more comments coming in. Thanks, Dan

Very happy that I've finally been able to complete the set... it's taken me a long time. Dan

Back of the nut: Now for the family group which I've finally completed: The one I just received is the gold ship badge which designates a Fleet Commander (Admiral). I already had the gold for the Sub and both the silver badges (ship and sub) as well.

Hi all, I've had most of these for quite a number of years, but I just got a couple of new additions... one I'm not sure about... don't know if it's a fake or a variation so would love comments on it. First off, the one I'm concerned about: First the obverse. It seems a tiny bit smaller somehow than the others I have. Also the enamel in the star does not stand out quite as well as my others do: Reverse... note the odd nut on the screwback... never seen one like this before: Closeup of the star:

Hi all, Well, I "finally" received the medal to go with my early Urkunde. Took over two weeks via parcel post to get from L.A. California to me here in Eastern North Dakota! The U.S. Snail strikes again! I'd actually emailed with the seller several times and arranged for it to be sent Priority Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation/tracking. It was mentioned in several E's. However, the only time I neglected to mention it was on the card I sent with the Postal Money Order (God save me from folks who don't take Paypal! ) listing what he was to include in the shipment as well as both our addresses in case anything happened to the package label and it needed to be opened they could get it back on it's way to me. Well, what does he go by... not the emails, not the fact that there's more money in the PMO than he asked for in the invoice... doesn't write an ask me about that... no, he just assumes it's to go regular mail. Arrrrrrgh! Oh well, I'm just soooooo happy I got it and that I don't have to worry about it being lost in postal limbo anymore. Anyhow, here are some additional views. The box has seen some better times but it's solid, has a nice inset base, good construction and it's only major problem in my eyes is that the little brass button that holds it closed is missing. The push button is there as is the spring mechanism... it's just the little catch that's gone. A few things to note on this piece. One, both the medal and ribbon have the early type clasp which is proper for one of this time period. The ribbon is cloth but has a plastic cover over it. And the medal itself is a bit larger than it's later cousins. So now it's home with it's document and it seems very happy and contented after it's long journey through the postal system. Dan

Dan

And here are a couple more views of the Civil Defense medal bar:

Here's the Kampfgruppe badge. I'm quite pleased with this one. Dan

Here's the reverse. Is that device on the bottom normal? If so, what is it for... ie: how does it attach on the uniform? Dan

Hi all, Well, some packages are finally arriving. Here are some additional views of my latest acquisitions. First up, the Bester Badge. Was rather disappointed on this one. It appears to be the same badge that was pictured in the auction but how she got red enamel out of it I'll never know because here's what I received: Compare that with it's picture from the seller below. Thank goodness it was cheap but now I'm back to looking for a better one. Although I will say I rather like that "camo" effect on the helmet.