Hauptmann

Medaille f?r Treue Dienste in der bewaffneten Organen des Ministeriums des Innern - 30 Jahren: Obverse: Reverse:

And a closeup of the ribbon bar:

Now to the actual awards. First off, Ehrentitel "Verdienter Volkspolizist der DDR" aka The Grim Reaper: Obverse: Reverse: Closeup... nice multileveled design:

From Flags Of The World website. Hi all, Now that we have a reference to go by I decided to seriously dig in and try to complete a set. Here's what I have so far: First off... not an award per set but a piece I love. It's for helpers of police: Very nicely embroidered and they're still extremely cheap as nice as they are. I think there is another type for actual police personnel but I can't remember for sure. Or perhaps it was for helpers of the Border Guard. If anyone knows please give me a nudge.

And last but not least for now... what is now the center of my Hungarian collection and my pride and joy. The pic is Charles but I'll be happy to do more once it arrives if anyone would like to see additional shots. You have but to ask and ye shall receive. I'm hoping it'll be here sometime this coming week. I can't wait to see it in person. I've loved this group from the moment Charles originally posted it and I can't barely believe it's coming to live with me now. To say that I'm excited over this group is the understatement of the century! Charles... I know you know this but I promise to give it a good and loving home! And we do expect you to come and visit with it and us as often as possible once you're back stateside. It will always have an extremely honored place in my collection. In fact... I may have to name a wing of the den after you! Thanks sooooo much!!!! Dan

The round one is a hefty one by comparison which I really like.

Charles was kind enough to include a bunch of stickpins with the medal. I love these... so many different types. I'm very tempted to start a collection just of stickpins and other types of small pins as there's such a variety and on so many different subjects. And from what I've see they tend to be fairly inexpensive. And just about all the Warsaw Pact countries had them in massive quantities. Anyhow on these I'll have to let Charles point out which ones are which: Being a Leo I'm very partial to the Lion pin.

Hi all, Here are my newest additions courtesy of Charles (Hunyadi)... many thanks Charles!!!! First off... the Return To Power medal. This one is actually cased but I'll had to do pics of that with the digital camera if anyone would like to see it. This is one he's had on hold for me for some time and I finally managed to work it out. Really love the gold, enamels and colors on these:

Anyhow that's the extent of my Soviet belt/buckle collection at present. I hope to someday be able to add the field version of the Army, the Enlisted white dress belt for parades and such and a black Navy with dagger hangers. Dan

And the markings on the inside of the belt:

Soviet Army... brown belt:

And the markings on the inside of the belt. Hard to see I know... I tried adjusting the pic's color balance as best I could which helped a bit... no idea if this means anything to anyone or not: This is on the black belt by the way.

And this is the marking on the end of the belt that the buckle goes on: Soviet Navy:

Hi all, Sorry it took me a bit longer than I'd expected. Had to get through work till the weekend so I'd have time. Finally went down in the bunker and did all my scans in one fell swoop. First off... Soviet dress belt. This is on the golden/yellow type belt with the dagger hangers:

Hi all, Wow! Thanks for all the pics so far. Gives us alot to shoot for. If ya'll have any shots of the cases the various types came in I for one would love to see them. Love cases!!!! Thanks!!!! Dan

Hi Gordon, Many thanks! Looking forward to seeing them. Dan

Hi Gordon, Hoping you'll be able to transfer the pics over here as well for those of us who are not members of the WAF as we can't see pics. And if possible the ones in Torstens thread over there and I think there was an older one discussing the cases as well which is also mentioned in on of those threads. Would love to see anything and everything we can get over here on these. Just not enough DDR info out there... but it's getting over time. Thanks! Dan

Hi Gordon, Many thanks for the additional info on these. To be honest I had not noticed any of those details save the basic differences in the smooth or rough finish on the reverses when I looked at this earlier. I tried looking it up in my DDR Orders and medals reference last night and was shocked to find it didn't cover these... except the ribbon bars that is: I can't wait to receive this latest addition and have a chance to get a good look at it. I've never seen one in person... only online. Doubt I'd be able to get the higher grades as I'm assuming those have reached far greater heights over time and will continue to do so. But there's always hope I guess. Many thanks for your help and advice on this one. I'm glad I could manage to get it. Wish I could have managed the early one as well but right now this was a squeeze... but one that I feel is well worth it. Thanks! Dan

Hi all, Well, here's my newest addition to the DDR collection, a cased Fatherland Merit Order in bronze complete with ribbon bar. Not here yet... just ordered it so hopefully it'll be here sometime in the next couple weeks or so. Once it's here I'll do better pics and scans for more details: Been wanting one of these for the longest time. I've no idea how much the gold and silver grades are running these days and I'm almost afraid to ask... if you can even still find them. I think my next goal is going to be for the Orders of Merit for Nation and Fatherland set like Vic just completed. After that... not sure what I'll be able to afford in the higher ones. They seemed to get pricey right from the get go and have just continued to go up ever since. Anyhow till I receive it and get more pics here's a page I found on them with all three grades front and back: http://www.medals.org.uk/germany/ddr/ddr005.htm If anyone happens to have any of these... even a bronze grade please post as I'd love to see them but it would also be great for comparison when I get mine. Dan

Hi all, Here's my contribution for now... I'll try to scan and post my others asap: Dan

Indeed! Welcome Megan! Here's hoping you have a great time here, learn alot and I'm sure you'll have alot to pass along to the rest of the members as well. Great to have you on board! Dan

Hi Grant, Wow! You're coming right along my friend. Just as I knew it would your collection is growing by leaps and bounds. More on the way! Keep up the great work! Dan

Hi Jim, Not really surprised... it was just another sign of the turning tide and a rather blatant one at that... at least in my mind. It's all going in the same direction as TR stuff. It'll get to the point like it did with that where hardly anyone knows what's real and what's not and it won't be any fun anymore. Sigh. But did want to add that I too have no problem as long as copies are sold as such. It's when they get "too" good, are sold as originals and everything gets to the point where no one knows what's what anymore. Just gotta stay one step ahead of them all the time. Dan

Hi Rick, No problem. Thought it would be of interest. Again thank goodness it's different enough that anyone who's seen or handled a real one will know. I can't remember for sure but I believe it was a buy it now for around $55 or thereabouts. Dan

Great find Charles! That's definitely a keeper! Gordon, I especially love those last two sets of three... my favorites being the last set... beautiful design! How I envy you both being in the center of all this and being able to find these hidden jewels. Keep up the great work! And thanks so much for sharing... we'd all be lost without you. Dan