Hauptmann

As well as two Soviet finials: There was also a copy of the Brian L. Davis book on TR flags, etc. and a DVD of the movie Go For Broke. Needless to say I was thrilled! Seems sometimes good deeds are indeed rewarded and I'm extremely grateful to my friend who sent all these goodies. Also needless to say I think I'm now hooked on the sideline of collecting Soviet flags, banners, pennants and finials. That didn't take long did it? With luck, there'll be more additions to my growing set soon. Thanks for looking. And many thanks to he who sent them! Dan

Now for the new goodies. My package arrived today that I'd mentioned in my original post. And boy was I ever surprised! Here's some of what was in the box. One Soviet Broad Pennant for a Commander of a Division of ships: A beautiful full color reference on Soviet flags, banners and pennants:

Hi all, Okay... first off, here's those two flags/banners/pennets that I didn't have a chance to post the other night: Not sure what the second one is but believe the first is from the same youth organization that put out the little pins with the same design as that on the flag. The back of the first one is the same but the back of the pennant is blank.

Hi Grant, FANTASTIC! WOW! What I wouldn't give short of my soul for some of those bars... simply beautiful. I'd never even seen mounted bars of 57's till just now... guess I always assumed they had them but never really gave it much thought. Hey, you ever decide to part with any or come up with any extras let me know and I'll dig and scratch and see if we can work something out. Now to go dig change out of the couch!!!! Thanks for sharing! Dan

Thanks guys! I really appreciate that! I thought I'd done well but it's always nice to have it confirmed. I can't wait to see it in person. In fact, after doing all this and for years having them all spread out in several displays I redid several of my limited supply of Riker's last night and put them all into one display together... from Imperial right on through. Nothing fancy mind you but they look great. I regret that years ago I traded off my other silver as well as my only wound badge case that went with it. In the same deal I traded off all my wound badge packets as well as a couple of packet sets for Mother's Crosses and I think a few others. Now I don't have any wound badge packets so hoping to get some of those to add to the collection, and perhaps at least one case. I still have a Russian Front and West Wall with packets as well as an IC spange and I think one other but can't remember what that was... I'll have to check. Perhaps I'll do up a post of awards with packets and spare packets by themselves. They're just a few things I kick myself for letting go over the years. Only wish the club had been there back in the day as I'd probably still have 99% of everything. Anyhow could not be happier that I found this one and managed to get it. Many thanks!!!! Dan

Hi all, Well, all your good wishes must have paid off. I just ordered my black 57 Wound. Now all I need is the silver and I'll have finished off the set. Hopefully it'll be here in a week or less. Thanks! Dan

Hi all, Well, here's the latest addition to my 57's... just ordered it and will probably be a week or less until I get it. But now all I need is a silver and I'll be finished with my 57 Wounds. Thanks! Dan

Hi Dolf, Many thanks! I'll pass that along to Kim as it's really her baby. On the colors since they were unique we've found that occassionally you'll see one that's all just one of those colors. It's a Harlequin that's been painted the base color! Like on ours it's that pistachio green color for the base. What they did was they assembled them all one color and then disassembled them and switched all the body panels around. It's been such a fun car and I'm so glad we got one. I wish we could get one of the new Beatles done in that same paint scheme. And folks always know where we are if they need us. It's crime proof... who would steal it? They'd get about half a block! It's just been a terrific car. Dan

Hi Dolf, Yes, they definitely have a charm all their own. Very similar to the VW Beetle in that regard. Of course, there's what we've driven since 1997: It's a 1996 VW Golf Harlequin. They built about 20 some odd back in 1994, then another 200 in 1996 and that was it. Special colors only used on those vehicles. Believe it or not, ours has nearly 300,000 miles on it and runs like the wind! Been the best vehicle we've ever owned and believe me, we've owned quite a few from classics on up to new vehicles. We got this one new in 97 with only 175 miles on it. Been a great conversation piece and we've met folks from all around the country as no matter where we are people always want to stop, talk about the car, take pics, you name it! And you see people going down the road with a frown, they see it and all of a sudden they're smiling and having a good day! Dan

Hi Dolf, I too have always loved that model as well as some of the earlier French vehicles from the 30's-50's period. Thanks for posting them. Great little cars! Wish I could find one... saw them on occassion down in Florida. In fact, the biggest French restaurant over in Tallahassee has one I believe that they keep over at the restaurant... good advertising. Thanks, Dan

Me like too! I've always wanted the top two types and that one on the bottom is also a knockout! Fantastic collection there... keep up the good work! Dan

Hi all, Figured since several of you were kind enough to write and comment it would be easier to just write one reply at this point and save room for more discussion as this seems to be making some headway. But my deep and profound thanks to each one of you who took the time to check this out and send back info and comments. Since this was another bunch from "Derk" I kinda had a feeling I'd once again not "luck out". No idea where he got the stuff from and it was before McDaniel's book and although he seemed to have some high end stuff that he was hanging on to he may have been as nearly in the dark as I was... a bit ahead but by the look of these "groups" not too much. At least I'd like to think he was not trying to take advantage of me. As they were in group deals and so long ago I don't remember exactly what I had in this stuff. Not much I suspect. This grouping for instance... if I'm correct and I take the individual pieces (retail) from say, Alexei's site here's what I come up with: Red Star - $30 (if you think higher please let me know) Lenin Centennial (Military) - $12 Soldier Internationalist medal with unfilled doc $15 Medal from grateful Afghan people - $8 50 years SAF's - $6 60 years SAF's - $4 70 years SAF's - $4 10 years service - $7 15 years service - $7 5 place suspension bar - $12 That totals $105... unless ya'll think any of it should be more... please let me know. Anyhow if that's the case... the sum of it's parts, I "think" I have about $75-100 in it in trade... and since I had dirt in the items I traded... I'm actually even more ahead of the game. The original price tag he had on it is still there and it was marked $110. Oh, and I forgot the Riker mount so figure that in too. So I don't think I'm doing too bad, even though I'm disappointed that it doesn't appear to be a "group" per se. At least it seems the bar is "okay" for what it is so I guess I'm ahead of the game on that... although whether or not it gives it any value other than the sum of it's parts you'll have to let me know. But I'm very glad to see that it's sparked a good discussion as after all that's the important part of all this. We all learn. Thanks and keep it going... I for one would love to learn more. Dan

Hi Paul, Many thanks! Kind of got them on a lark... the "army" was from the same guy I got alot of my Soviet awards from and the navy I "think" I got from Alexei way back when. But I love navy stuff... although at times I wish it was the Guards type but I know they're out there and are not tooooo pricey. Hey, quick question... on the Blockade Runners post... you said "nice group" but didn't say which group you were referring two. I had started it with mine and then there was another full group, then a single, which I think they decided was a copy? Been kind of betwix and between here due to work and several other things... anyhow just wondered which group you were referring to. If it was mine I thank you. Thanks! Dan

Hi all, I got these from Jack Angolia many many moons ago. One of my most cherished possessions. Just wish I could get a better set of pics but hard with the reflection on the glass. He had tons of things mounted this way and I fell in love with this type of display. But I'm sad to say that I have no idea what makers marks these might have as unless I remove the backing paper I can't access them. It's a beautiful set... I only wish I new the manufacturers, etc. as well as some history on the recipient named on the document. Thanks for looking, Dan

And here are the markings: Anyhow, as I say there may be more to add here soon so keep on checking and with luck I'll have some new additions to this section of my collection. Thanks, Dan

And here's my navy, with markings on the fly... no idea what it says... perhaps one of the members would be so kind? And there's no color difference, just did one with and one without flash... figured I'd just post unless everyone clamors for me to redo the one with flash. Just getting lazy in my old age!

Hi all, Okay, here is my Soviet flag collection. Sadly just two right now... although I have a couple of smaller banners but I'll have to add those later as I don't have pics right now. I have at least one if not a few finials coming... did some videos for a new friend and he kindly offered to send it/them along to me. Hopefully will be here early this coming week and if so I'll take pics and add them asap. Not sure if these are anything to write home about. Got them a number of years ago and have just had them set aside for the day when I can put them on a pole with finials, etc. for display. First off is what I'm guessing in an army. I checked the fly, etc. and could find no markings... no idea if this is the norm for these or what.

Hi Bryan, Sadly I'm between scanners. I have an old one but can't use it right now as it requires a card be installed which I can't do in my laptop... and right now my son is using the only extra desktop. Hopefully before long that will revert back to me. But we're in the market for a new one as soon as we have enough set aside. But agree that generally, especially with smaller items it's better to go with the scanner. You've got a real beaut there in that gold! Hey, you can put that in with that other shipment to me whenever you're ready!!!! My silver is anxious to make it's acquaintance!!!! Seriously, many thanks for posting it. It's a terrific piece and you are certainly a lucky man to own it. Thanks, Dan

Oh, the Olympic badge and the other medal/badge to the top right were "not" in the original group... I just keep those in that riker mount... but everything else in the Riker as well as the booklet all came together as a "group". And the Lenin Centennial is the "military" version by the way. Anyhow would appreciate any comments, info, etc. Thanks, Dan

Didn't know if the Red Star in this group was worth getting researched, perhaps to confirm if this is indeed a complete group to one individual.

Hi all, Meant to post this back when I put up my Soviet medal bars and such but got side tracked and this is the first chance I've gotten to put them up. Was told this was a group to an Soviet Afghan vet... no idea if this is correct or not. The booklet has not been filled out so I don't even have a name. This came from the same individual (went by DERK for selling purposes... can't remember his name as it was several years back) that I got those two Soviet medals bars from.

Hi all, Just wondered if, #1 there is any list of recipients of the Olympic Decorations from 36 or #2 if there is any type of list re those or other similar high awards given as reissues in 57? Especially the Olymnpic 1st and 2nd class I can't imagine there would have been many reissues in 57. Didn't know if anyone happened to know this. Thanks, Dan

Now Paul... you just had to go and tell him about the keeper part didn't you? And here I was gonna tell him to put it in a packet and mail it over here because it was something he "shouldn't" keep. But yes indeed, a very nice bar that "I wish I had"... so if you ever decide it's "not a keeper"... Dan

Hi Bryan, Not to worry... I'm a captive audience... have all the time in the world. And they're worth waiting for! Dan

Hi Dan, Wow... I'm in heaven! Thanks so much for sharing that. It's truly amazing to me that out of so many similar looking badges... same basic design, etc. that each truly has it's own distinct personality. Each one is just that little bit different and some really just pull you in and won't let you go. There's a number of those that I'd love to have... see, it's all I can do to hold back and just buy nothing but wound badges now! But my Soviet stuff will get really jeolous! Really enjoyed that... thank you! Dan