Hauptmann

And the Luftwaffe version in cloth: [attachmentid=55663]

The Luftwaffe: [attachmentid=55660] [attachmentid=55661]

Hi all, Okay, here's my copies of the Army and Luftwaffe Para badges as well as one in cloth. And please disregard the prices... these were given to me. First the Army: [attachmentid=55658] [attachmentid=55659]

Hi all, I think the topic title and description say it all. These were the Spanish version of the award the Germans gave for same. They're of totally different design. I love this one since it incorporates the Iron Cross as part of it's design. Plus it's having an eagle, crown and the Kremlin Towers... it's just got everything. [attachmentid=55655] [attachmentid=55656] [attachmentid=55657] Dan

War Medal: [attachmentid=55653] [attachmentid=55654] I used to have three cased Orders of the Crown, one being a neck order. But those went in trade... one of the items I received was my 1870 2nd Class Iron Cross. I see the Orders of the Crown quite often... but not the 1870's. I think I did the right thing... although I would love more of those Crown Orders eventually as they are quite nice, especially cased. Dan

Hi all, Only two for now I'm afraid as that's all I have so far. But have wanted to post them for some time so here they are. War Cross: [attachmentid=55651] [attachmentid=55652]

[attachmentid=55643] [attachmentid=55644] I'd love to someday find the tunics these would go on, and if they're not complete the insignia to go with them to make a fully dress musicians uniform for each of these. Dan

Hi all, Have had these for some time and thought they might be of interest. The green one is I believe Grenztruppen (Border Guards) and the white one Army. For those who might not know these were worn on the shoulders of band members tunics. They are attached by means of an eyehook system so they can be easily removed when the tunic needs to be cleaned. The tassels (I assume) indicate a more senior ranking member... probably a Sergeant. I've only shown one of each as they are identical. [attachmentid=55640] [attachmentid=55641]

And the medal itself. Obverse: [attachmentid=55632] Reverse: [attachmentid=55633] Dan

Hi all, Here's the rest of my Japanese medal collection... at least for now. I do hope to add more in future but seems the ones I've run across in my time have been a bit on the pricey side of things. I liked this one due to it being cased as I tend to be a sucker for gold, enamel and cased awards... so this definitely fit the last bill. And it was surprisingly cheap for the quality of the case alone. Again no idea of class or what it says, either on the case or the medal. Also, please ignore that kind of milky look on the scan or the lines as it's the scan, not the case. The case is a beautiful gloss black deep enough to swim in. And has no imperfections. I think the reflections caused a problem and probably need to clean my glass again. First the case. Full front: [attachmentid=55628] Full back: [attachmentid=55629] Closeup of the inscription on the back: [attachmentid=55630] Full interior: [attachmentid=55631]

Hi all, This is one of my underdogs. It's obviously missing a piece but I got it for super cheap as part of a trade... more a throw in than anything... but I still think she's beautiful. I do wish I could find the piece to replace it but for now I figured I'd pop her in and share her with you. [attachmentid=55626] [attachmentid=55627] As I'm not very expert in this area and have no Japanese specific Order/medal references I'm not even sure of the class. Also what does it stay on the back? Dan

[attachmentid=55623] [attachmentid=55624] [attachmentid=55625] Dan

[attachmentid=55620] [attachmentid=55621] [attachmentid=55622]

[attachmentid=55616] [attachmentid=55618]

Hi all, I decided that since I now have a scanner I'd go ahead and redo pics of select "important" items... my 1870 being one of them. I'm hoping that perhaps with better and more detailed shots that maybe by some slim chance we might be able to positively nail down a maker. And if nothing else that ya'll might enjoy seeing her in a bit more of her glory. So without further ado... here she is. If anyone wants to request any other shots please let me know and I'll do my best to get what you need. I'm going to do one side at a time going from a full shot to the details. [attachmentid=55612] [attachmentid=55613] [attachmentid=55614]

Hi Larry, Sounds like a great trip... we'll definitely have to all get together up yonder before too long. I sent Kim and Nick on a vacation last winter up to Vancouver and then over to Seattle to visit with their internet friends. They're hooked on Canada and definitely want to go back and take me with them. So it's a definite possibility we can all work something. Be kind of a militaria reunion! Well, I'll have to start saving my pennies and one never knows... we might be up there before too long. I'll let you and Pat know well in advance so we can plan something like this.j And by the same token, if ya'll ever find your way down here to ND you'll have to come visit and I'll give you the grand tour of our little piece of paradise. Thanks, Dan

Hi Pat, Great piece! You somehow manage to come up with the neatest stuff up there. I've definitely got to come visit sometime and take the tour... preferably when I've got plenty of dough to spend in case we run into goodies like this. Ralph... make that three of us at least. I too love oddball stuff (shoot, I love Oddball from Kelly's Heroes too! Great character that one!)... I just seldom seem to run across much of it. But I was rather isolated on our farmstead up in North Florida and now up here in North Dakota... no militaria shops that I've been able to find. One antique shop up in Minot that has some militaria but he's also waaaaay overpriced and even admits it. Like $35 each for common DDR peaked caps you can get on Ebay for dirt. Arrrrrgh!!!! But we do have some terrific estate sales up here so hoping to find some goodies from time to time at those. You both have a couple of absolute treasures there. I saw half of a die on Ebay a few months back and was tempted but it went way over what I could afford at the time. And being a numismatist as well I've always been interested in dies and such. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing. Dan

Hi Ralph, So glad you pm'd me the link to this one. Just a terrific piece! I'm not generally into Masonic, etc. but this one is a beaut. Got me to thinking also about a collection of such that our local museum has. I'll get with one of the officers up there and see about them getting me in for a bit to take some good pics of such. In fact, it "might" be possible if I get ahold of the President that she might let me take the case for a few hours and come back and scan them in so I can get really good pics. It's to their advantage in a way as when I post such things, the more info I can get back it all goes to them and helps to add to their displays. I'll see what I can do as they do have a nice little collection of such things. I'm dying to know if you get more info on this one as it's an absolute gem! Thanks, Dan

Okay... so, just a badge with a funky little color thingie inside. What's so special about it you ask? Well, I knew I'd seen it somewhere before. Either one of two places... a documentary called Spytek with Roger Moore or as it turned out in a book called Ultimate Spy by H. Keith Melton, New Expanded Edition, page 91 under Spy Cameras. Why they decided to put it in that particular section I don't know... but here's what it has: [attachmentid=55544] Basically this would allow undercover Stasi officers to be able to identify each other as being Stasi and I assume that the color code would either be chosen for a particular day, event or perhaps if there were several types of Stasi units at a particular event each would be designated by one of the four colors. Don't know about anyone else but to me this is really "cool!" Just couldn't pass it up. And I'm "sure" it's gotta be worth more than .99 cents! So think I did really super good on this little baby! And needless to say if anyone has any additional information on these I'm dying to hear it. Thanks! Needless to say I'm an extremely happy camper right now. Dan

Hi all, Okay, now this one I'm really excited about. Have been for a week now. Found it on Ebay. Been on the edge of my seat pacing the floors until this morning. Lucked out and won it (Thank you God!!!!) for the minimum of .99 cents!!!!!!!! Somehow I suspect if he lists any more that I'll have a bit more competition this time around. First I'll post the auction pics... these are the sellers (Steven Haehnel (berlinbvg)) and I'll do my own scans when I receive it which I hope will be mid week this week. Front: [attachmentid=55533] Back with screwback in place: [attachmentid=55535] Disassembled front: [attachmentid=55536] Disassembled back: [attachmentid=55537]

Hi Ed, Excellent presentation! Thanks so much for sharing all these great pics! Really adds alot to those little medals some of us collect. Sure would love some of those statues for my collection. Very cool! Dan

And the 2nd Class: [attachmentid=55424] [attachmentid=55425] Dan

Hi all, Here are my 1st and 2nd Class Olympic decorations. Just had to have these to go with my 1936 games torch holder and then I later got my 1956 reissue 1st Class. First the 1st Class: [attachmentid=55421] [attachmentid=55422]

And still closer: [attachmentid=55411] I truly wish I could find a digitized copy of this photo as it might show things a bit clearer. But I'm like 99.999999999% sure this is the same type of goggles worn by Il Duce Benito Mussolini on that day in early 1930 right down to the type of straps it has... the bridge, the metal it seems made of, the vents on the bottom of each eye piece, the padding inside... looks the same to me. Anyhow just seemed very interesting to me and thought I'd post it for the enjoyment and comments of the membership, perhaps in the hope of finding out more. How I wish I had documentation that these were indeed the goggles worn in the photo... perhaps they are... nice to dream if nothing else. Dan

A closer shot: [attachmentid=55410]