Hauptmann

Hi Jeff, Not at all! I'm happy to see the old girl getting more air time. Here's the link to my original posts on her which include several more views including the case: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7303&hl=mhs Dan

Hi Doc, No problem! And depending on how far back we go... how about Kaiser Wilhelm II... or even his father and grandfather? But as to WII he had tons from what I've seen... and all the uniforms (foreign included) to go with them. And probably Czar Nicholas, etc., as they tended to have tons too. But WII loved such things and went to great lengths to get what he could from all and sundry. No idea if anyone has a complete list but if so I'd love to see it for him. Dan

United States - Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit Dan

Hey, push comes to shove we may have to just pool our resources, put our noses to the grindstone and do some up for the common good! Perhaps that can be another club project for down the road like the one on wound awards of the world. Dan

Hi Grant, Okay, not positive but I believe these are the people's militia ones. There's a bronze, silver and gold but otherwise they're all the same. The armed forces had the schutzensnurs just like in WWI/WWII, etc. But again if one of the other members knows for sure (Oh Torsten... we need you!!!! ) please jump in and let us know. But rest assured you won't have any trouble finding the rest of this set for cheap! Check out my thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8727 On the first pic you'll see the set of three of these in their riker. Also you'll see my Verdienst medals in posts further down and there are also some examples shown from other collections both on bars and with serial numbers and silver content marks. Hope this helps. Dan

Hi Grant, Ooooh! See, that series is one of my all time favorites. I've got a full set and a partial section set going. I grab those whenever I see them cheap. Just love the design and colors. But when you find them, be careful to check both the back (top and bottom) and the edge for any silver marks or serial numbers as the early ones have those. They don't turn up often and sadly I have yet to get any of the early ones... but I want one/some bad!!!! I'm also hoping for a documented set at some point. And although rare from what I understand... one documented to a collective (has a special case/urkunde) is like dream of dreams. Easy part on the cases is that except for the really super high Orders it's seems 99% of their medals came in those same clear plastic cases with the foam rubber base. They turn up in bunches over here on Ebay quite a few times a year... like $10 cases for $10 or thereabouts. Not too hard to find. My problem is I need one of the ribbon bars for the same one you have... I see the medals... I see the medals with the ribbons but so far no one has just the ribbon. All my others have the matching set except one of the bronze. But that's a great one in my eyes. And it's got a really super look to it. I think you got a real prize there... but then again I'm just super hooked on this design. Let's put it this way... had I seen it for the right price I'd have grabbed it in a heartbeat and started on yet another set. Love em'!!!! Dan

Hi Grant, Now you'll need the silver and gold cased. The gold's are a bit harder to find but none of these are expensive... although they are very nice and rather hefty. I initially turned my nose up at them when I started out... but over time I learned to love them. Am getting ready to send a bronze and silver over to Vic to get him started on a set. So you'll be in a little competition with him for the gold. Nice box! Mine are all in the white plastic cases... so assuming your's is an earlier issue. Shame it doesn't have the full name or other info written inside. Great piece!!!! Dan

Hi Grant, Yes, they're Police granduation badges. Here are my two for comparison: I believe the one on the left (like yours) is for NCO's and the one on the right is for Officers. A very nice pair you have. I especially love the yellow colored bottom of the case on the left one. Those will go nice with those "new additions" you've got coming soon. Keep up the great work!!!! Dan

Hi Grant, You're off to a great start. And yes... it's "extremely" addictive as are several of the other Warsaw Pact countries. I've been into Bulgarian and am going strong on Hungarian as well along with my main Soviet collection... and even that has a few offshoots. So much variety and often for extremely low prices. For what you had in your 57's you would probably have a world class DDR collection! Keep up the great work. Before long you'll need a new wing on the house. Dan

Hi ilja559, Outstanding collection! Love the fact that so many are to officers and also the fact that several are to the same individual at different times during their careers. Excellent choices! So now I know where all the documents have gone! Thanks so much for sharing these. Dan

Hi Paul, Many thanks! Sure is a shame some idiot had to take off the top. Even if it was damaged in some way it should have been left alone. But I'm sure we've all seen things like this over the years. Sigh. Dan

Many thanks! Dan

Hi all, I tried putting these in the valuation section but so far no replies. Hoping someone can give me a rough idea of value. They've been sitting in a box and I figured they might do someone else some good and I could make a bit towards other items. I'm also open to trades. Had planned to list in the sales section but no clue as to value. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Many thanks! Dan

Hi all, I tried posting this in the valuation section but so far no replies. I need a rough idea of (if any) value on this piece. It's been sitting in a box and I thought if anyone else would be interested and could make better use of it and I could get a bit for it it would help us both. I'm also open to trades. I'd love to post it in the sales section but no idea what (if anything) it's worth. Any help would be deeply appreciated. And by the way... this is how I got it... no idea why the base for the badge was cut off.

Hi all, I about lost my cookies tonight. Was surfing Ebay and lo and behold I find a listing for a "Mint Gorgeous REPRO. Russian Naval Officers Dagger : Thankfully different enough that anyone who has seen or handled real ones will know the difference in an instant. But as for newbie collectors or those who haven't had the chance to see or hold a real one... Next they'll be faking Lenin Centennial medals for crying out loud! Sigh. Dan

Hi all, Many thanks to Dave and slava1stclass for those terrific pics!!!! Geez... it still seems sooooooo odd seeing guys in U.S. uniform... especially an MOH awardee, wearing Soviet awards... especially the OGPW as the H&S is soooo prominent in the design. And with all the post war red scares and all... just gives me the shivers. Don't get me wrong... I think it's neat and very cool that they were awarded to our guys and that they (at least for a time) were able to wear them. But just seems like a situation out of the Twilight Zone or something whenever I try to wrap my mind about it. I guess that's one of the best things about this thread, is getting to learn and see about more such examples than just Patton. What would be even better would be being able to acquire and own a piece or group that had been awarded to a U.S. serviceman. To me that would be a real prize! Again thanks so much to all for adding so much to this thread. Hope it keeps going for quite some time and that alot more is uncovered and discovered along the way. Dan

Thanks Dave! Terrific info and a great report! Can't wait to see more pics if anyone digs any up. Dan

Hi Zsolt, Wow... that 1st class is definitely the pic of the litter! The enamel really makes it come to life! And one of the best things is... push comes to shove they could now be given out for Mercedes Benz salesmen of the month, quarter and year! Super piece!!!! Dan

Hi Takc, Somehow WOW seems very inadequate here. A lovely piece! I've actually seen one other which was similar but I don't remember it having the engraved blade or the oakleaves on the scabbard fittings. But it did have the engraved plate and the red star and came cased in a very nice wood case which also had a matching presentation plaque on it. Simply breathtaking! You're a lucky man! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. And by all means... to echo Richie... if you have additional history you're able to present on this one I hope you'll do so. Dan

Hi Dave, Very cool! I wonder how long such awardees went on wearing these before quietly putting them away in a drawer somewhere. Plus, unless they'd gotten the screwbacks replaced with pins or something I'm assuming that whatever tunic they'd worn it on had to be retired and a new one purchased due to the screwback hole. Gents... this is getting really good and with the above is rising above my hopes for this thread. I'd rather hoped it wouldn't be limited to Patton but would indeed pull some pics and other info on other U.S. recipients of Soviet awards, badges, etc., out of the woodwork. And learning more about those that Patton was awarded is terrific! Keep up the great work as I for one an thoroughly enjoying this one! Dan

Hi all, Here's something I've only seen once and I grabbed it... just couldn't resist. It's the core of an Imperial IC 2nd. It's magnetic and a neat piece. Only problem is that someone along the line painted it silver... or at least some of it. I've been sorely tempted to try and remove the paint but as always with such things I don't take that lightly. Probably can't hurt at this stage with it being just the core with no frame, etc. Anyhow just thought I'd pop it up in case someone might be intro'd in seeing it. Dan

And the Reverse: Again a nice enough piece but I so wish someone hadn't painted it. Dan

Hi all, I did some scans as I never did get the chance to redo the original pics. So here's some more views. But I think the brush marks show better in the pics as opposed to the scans. Obverse: Ring with makers mark... I believe 24: Closeup of Obverse:

And last but not least this one with a bunged up ring. Dan