Hauptmann

Another beauty :love: Dean... I'm guessing also from SOS? Dan :cheers:

Dean... gorgeous! Well done! :jumping: :love: Dan :cheers:

Along with the para badges there was a grouping of 40 assorted pins and badges. This one impressed me as it's a rather heavy, well constructed, solid badge. I'm assuming it's for an Academy (Nahkimov?) but if someone knows please let me know for sure. Also no idea if these are common or what... just came along with the rest and really stood out from the pack. Dan :cheers:

Just added four more of these... although I've included the one I got a while ago with the rest. I find it interesting how the ten on the one badge is attached via prongs folded over, passed through a hole and bent over whereas the other numbers are made as part of the badge. Is this just a manufacturer variation or does it indicate and earlier or later type badge? Hoping over time to put together a full set. If anyone has managed to do this I'd love to see pics. Dan :cheers:

As far as the posers... if society still worked as it used to then when found out such individuals would, especially in this day and age of the net and such, be branded as liars, cheats and frauds and would be shamed into oblivion! Seems thought that more and more anything goes in todays society. If it feels good, do it! But a comment on the MoH. I really feel cheated as a collector of ODM's, and am American that whereas I can own and collect ODM's from all over the world including the highest, either as originals or, in the case of things like the Victoria Cross replicas due to the extreme value of such awards... but I cannot even own a replica of a MoH in my collection. Whereas if I was living overseas I could buy and own same. I would love to have examples from each branch of the MoH in my collection. In fact, I was offered one about twenty five years ago... an original but unawarded example. Stupid me, I passed on it... I've regretted it ever since. I strongly feel that examples that were not awarded or nicely done replicas but well marked as such on the reverse or something similar should be legalized and made available for U.S. collectors. This is part of our history... the history of our military, our heroes that we are forbidden to have in our collections. Every time I see either an original or replica of same for sale or in a collection overseas I feel cheated. I can honor the heroes of all the other nations in my collection... but no my own. Hang the posers for all I care but American collectors should have the same right to own examples of the MoH as those in other countries... in fact we should have more right to do so. Sorry if this upsets anyone... but it's something I've felt for a long time. Yes, anything can be misused and abused... be it guns, knives, cop uniforms, ODM's, etc. But it's not the item itself, it's the person behind it. Deal with the offender. But sadly, time and time and time again our stupid government insists on throwing the baby out with the bath water in trying to regular morality. It simply is not that easy. But I don't think they'll ever learn. Dan :cheers:

Seems if you live in certain parts of Europe, have access to a bulldozer and a flatbed then you can pick up a tank or armored vehicle for the taking... must be nice. :jumping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvveoQRVBxY&feature=relmfu This one looks as if it's ready to drive away when they're done with it. Amazing! Dan :cheers:

Any thoughts at all? Although I do have a few pieces of similar silverware/utensils, it's not something I've specialized in... so could really use some help here if possible. Dan :cheers:

Sorry guys... for some reason I never received a notification that there had been a reply. I'll accept the answer... I didn't see anything addressing the other part of the question unless I missed it: How did the Soviet method of going into action differ from those of other nations? Was looking for how they'd drop off the wings of the planes instead of jumping out from the inside of the plane. Next one is all yours Christophe. Dan :cheers:

Hoping this is the right section for this... if not please feel free to move it. I'm hoping one of our members might be able to help me find records or information on one of my wife Kim's ancestors. I don't have a ton of info but here's what I have: Joseph Pike born c. 1792 in Manchester (County of Lancashire) England. Was a shoemaker by trade. Served in the British Army against Napoleon. Was taken prisoner before the Battle of Waterloo and held in Luxembourg around 1812. He later settled in Germany where he changed the family name to Peik which it's been ever since. I'm hoping against hope that there may be some record(s) of his service in the British Army at that time. Also wondering if he received or was entitled to any medals. Also any info as to the unit(s) he served in, where he served, etc. I found a site... findmypast.co.uk but seems you need to be a member to come up with info. I did a search and it did come up with one listing which may be him but as I'm not a member I can't view the info. Will keep my fingers tightly crossed that one of you may be able to help out with this. Many thanks! Dan :cheers:

Question #28: The Soviets had them first with the Germans close behind. The allies didn't catch up till 1940. The Soviets exhibited them in 1935. They are still used today. However, the way the Soviet ones went into action was very different from the way those of other countries did. What are they? How did the Soviet method of going into action differ from those of other nations? Dan :cheers:

That's it for now. I believe the only other pieces of dinnerware he has are a couple of field forks used with the mess kit. He'll be emailing me the pics soon and I'll pop them up once I have them. I'll be passing along the link to the thread to him so hopefully he'll be able to answer any questions you might have on any of these. Again any help in confirming ID, units, originality, value, etc., will be deeply appreciated. Many thanks! Dan :cheers:

Okay, last but not least... another SS and this I'm assuming is a fantasy mark, again made to deceive folks into believing it's SS. But I'm no expert in this area so will leave it to members who are to confirm or deny this.

A Luftwaffe knife... denazified. Again looks good to me... shame the insignia is not complete but a nice makers mark nonetheless.

Army or ?? Again they look okay to me.

Okay, these also look okay to me. Thought at first that the first one was Weimar but as Hitler took over as Chancellor in 1933 they would be into the nazi period but I'm guessing before they could have everything stamped with the new eagle and swastika. Assuming the other is Army?

Okay, now a couple of SS forks. I'm highly skeptical of anything SS... not wishing to go where angels fear to tread... so hoping some of our members who are more knowledgeable in this area can confirm if these are okay or simply pieces marked to deceive.