Hauptmann

Oooh, praise for my precious! Myyyyyy precious! Oops... sorry, wrong movie. I do so love this one... actually like the original issues as well although I agree they do look a bit like cheap repo's. In fact first one I saw was a copy and I thought it must just be made cheap. Then I saw several of Jack Angolia's on one of our visits to his home in Kansas and they're basically the same. I was amazed! I have to mention here that I've found another one I love that I'd highly recommend... but I've never seen a real one and have no earthly idea what they run. I've only seen it in a reference (another Ebay find... Ribbons and Medals by H. Taprell Dorling, new for .50 cents U.S.). It's on page 189 and is a black and white pic. Here's the description quoted from the book: "Olympic Cross of Merit This was instituted in 1952 in two classes, for services in connection with the 15th Olympiad in Finland. The 1st Class badge, worn at the neck, is a five-armed gold cross, enamelled white, with stylized spruce twigs in the four upper angles, and the Finnish lion between the two lower arms of the cross. Across the centre are the five Olympic rings in gold and above the cross is the Olympic flame. The 2nd Class is similar but smaller and is worn on the left breast." Sound familiar? Even the ribbon looks the same... except instead of the orange color with white stripes it's blue with white stripes... and the stripes are identical! It's kind of like what the 36 could/should have been... but wasn't... close but no banana! But basically I had to at least have decent copies (only the 36 1st & 2nd are copies) of them to go with my torch holder, bell and other goodies in my Olympics collection. What I'm hoping for now is to be able to get a full set of decent copy cases for these. I know a place but all told they're going to run me like $200 some odd so that's been on hold for quite some time. On ribbon... we might be able to work something out. Normally with stuff like Russian Front or Luftschutz ribbon I could just give you a hunk... but the Olympic seems to be a bit tougher to come by as you've probably realized by now. No idea what it would be worth to you either in $$'s or trade (open to either... ) but here's what I can do: Check out this pic of my Olympic awards. At the top you'll note the copy of the 1st class with a ribbon that is a bit darker than normal. I also happen to have a 2'3" (roughly) piece in the normal color. Now, I can either work something with you on the slightly darker piece or I can cut off a suitable sized piece (you need to decide if you need short or standard length) from my long piece. I paid around $45 for the copy (one reason I was willing to go for the 57 before I knew what it was... seems to be what the copies run) and no idea how much just the ribbon would be worth. Can't remember for sure but know the long piece of ribbon weren't too cheap. No idea what one or the other would be worth to you... I'd always thought I'd keep it in reserve in case I got another copy or 57 that was missing one. But doing this would still leave me extra and I feel the least I can do for a fellow member is make the offer if it would help. I'd feel more willing to let the darker one go as I like the brighter color but figured I'd give you the choice. I used to keep a fairly large stockpile of Imperial German and TR ribbons but they've gone like so many other things. I still have a good bit of the others I mentioned above and some Knight's Cross ribbon but that's about it nowadays. I've not done the UV test on these... be happy to if it's important but for a 57 I'm not sure if it really matters. But let me know. Anyhow feel free to either PM me or send me an E and I'm sure we can work something out if you're intro'd.

Many thanks! Had no idea as far as early or late on most of these but definitely nice to know. On a maker mark... I just took another look at it, both the ring and the medal itself. I can't see any, however I did notice (amazing what you see even after owning a piece for so many years! ) that around the outer edge it has what look like very fine lines... almost like light file marks going all around in one direction. Almost looks like reeding on coins but much lighter and all at the same angle. Not sure if this is any indication or not. Will keep my fingers crossed as one never knows where such clues may lead.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed but right now unless something shows up out of the blue for really cheap everything is pretty much on hold while I work on some of my Soviet collection... I've neglected it for the most part for several years so I'm playing catch up. Thanks, Dan

Hi Grant, Many thanks on this one! Knew it wasn't the 57 reissue... felt it was a state award... just didn't know which state it was from so much appreciate that bit of info! Now the question is... is this anything "good"? This is another one that I can't remember where it came from as it's been over twenty years since I got it... but it looked so much like the WWII issue I couldn't resist. Probably didn't pay much for it either and that always helps. And I don't have the foggiest idea of what it's worth now either... I'm in that boat with quite a number of the things I've picked up over time. To tell you the truth I was so out of the loop for so long that as far as things like TR awards, it was like I'd gone to sleep twenty years ago then woke up and saw how much they'd gone up... I was floored! And as I've been going through the posts here I've sooooo regretted letting certain things go over the years... although at the time it sounded like a good idea. Made some trades for some Soviet awards and such a number of years ago... and don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with what I got and I'm glad I got it all... just wish I hadn't traded off certain key things. And this award reminds me of one of them... I had a WWII medal bar which had the WWI IC 2nd, a Hindenburg cross, a 25 year Faithful Service and and a WWII Fire Cross. Was a "very" nice court mounted bar and even had the makers label sewn on the back although for the life of me I can't remember what it said. Had another, a WWII IC 2nd, a Social Welfare and another 25 year Faithful Service... nowhere near as fancy a bar but when I see the nice bars on here I wish I still had them. But as they say, you can't keep it all... you want to... you just can't! Well, off visit with more of your posts. Thanks, Dan

Hi Grant, Just getting up and about... was up till 6 a.m. Need more sleep but got woke up and once I'm up, I'm up. Still a bit on the woozy side of things though. Had no idea that was the case with this one... but that after all is part of the joy of all this, learning what we have. Got this one over twenty years ago and can't even remember from where or who. No idea who might have mucked about with it. And shame on me... I didn't even think to check on this one in my ribbon reference or online. May pop over and see what I can find... once I'm fully awake. Many thanks! I'm off to read your other posts... which I very much appreciate. Dan

Hi Christophe, Many thanks! Actually I'd been talking to one of the senior members asking advice on how to post as this was my first shot at all this. After the fact we both realized I could have just kept replying to myself... which I'd considered but didn't know for sure if it was the way to do it so I went the other way. Live and learn. Needless to say I've corrected it in other posts I've made this evening. The basic problems were the number of pics as well as the amount of smilies I used. And I definitely agree on that last one... broke my heart to split it up between the posts. But still hoping folks will enjoy it all. So far I've gotten several positive comments which is always nice. Could you pm me and give me more info on the "collectors thread" as since I'm so new to all of this it's something I'm not familiar with? Well, have to hit the bed... it's 5:04 a.m. and it's been a looooooong day. Again appreciate your kind comments. I've been made to feel very welcome and I deeply appreciate that. In a way I feel like I've come home. As you know a big part of collecting is in sharing and discussing such things with others. I haven't had alot of that for quite a number of years. Most of my collecting has been through Ebay of late and especially up here in North Dakota where I haven't found alot of collectors or shops. So it's great to be able to get on here and share the hobby with those of like interests. Have a great one, Dan

It also seemed to have a fairly low serial number - E108. I did a bit of research and managed to discover the following: After several name changes the MHS name was used for the Hungarian Sports Federation For Defense. That name was used from 17 August 1957 up till 08 August 1967. The other wording on the badge: Kivalo Munkaert (trust me, it's what it says) stands for Outstanding Manpower (or Labor). I could not resist... I bid and luckily won. I've never regretted it since. It's a small badge but well made and the case is as nice as I imagined it would be. Plus I've never seen another set like it. I've been wondering if this was the standard of quality for such small, humble awards at that time or if perhaps this was made up for some party bigwig or one of his/her children? Again if anyone has any further information on this piece I'd love to hear from you. Thanks, Dan

Here's a little ditty I picked up off Ebay back in April of 2005 for a mere $17.50. It was mislisted as a "Vintage Russian (?) Medal with Red Star - In Box". And again, many apologies for the poor photo quality... I'm stuck with a digital camera with macro feature until I can afford a scanner. What caught my eye was the case (I'm a sucker for cases) as in my current experiences with Soviet bloc awards most tend to have come in either cardboard boxes, cheap plastic cases or in fairly decent looking cases but with no base on the inside on which to rest the medal. Either that or it has a base but it's made of thin, cheap plastic perhaps with a thin coat of cheap flocking. However, the key word with this award is not cheap but quality. The case on this one (again at least to me) screams old world craftsmanship. It's heavy, solid and well made. That and the look of the "badge" and the fact that it's silver seemed to indicate 1950's vintage since most of the more recent communist pins and badges I've seen tend to be in aluminum or some other cheap metal if not in plastic.

And here's the maker: I hope everyone enjoys seeing these as much as I've enjoyed sharing them. I hope more members will post awards in this category as I feel there is much yet to be learned in this area of militaria. Thanks for having me as a member. I hope I'm able in some small way to add to this terrific community. I'm amazed at the amount of knowledge presented here as well as the fabulous collections! Many thanks, Dan

We're nearly there... one more to follow after this one: And now for the maker of this award (drumroll please): Dan

We're almost done... but I'll have to split this one up due to the number of pics. My last piece I consider to be special. It's another Ebay purchase and again I think I did very well on this one. It was originally part of the collection of OMSA member Eric Ludvigsen who passed away on November 28, 2004. I'm sorry to say I never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance and did not realize who he was when I purchased the award. But I did some research and got some information from the seller, his grandson who was helping to liquidate the collection as part of the estate. After reading more about this gentleman I feel quite proud and fortunate to have one of his medals in my humble collection. Another definite plus is the manufacturer as you'll see in one of the photos as well as the fact that it's a complete set with the button hole ribbon. Needless to say I'm happy that I got lucky when no one else bid on either of these awards. And now, for the rest of the story... Dan

Next up is a Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class. This was another Ebay purchase which I think I lucked out on... as if I remember correctly I paid around $15 for it. I'd waited years to get some examples of this award but they always seemed to go for too much. So glad I waited. I keep hoping I'll be able to find a case for that one down the road as I think that will really set it off. I'm one of those folks who loves cased awards. Almost to the end... Dan

This is my sole West German ribbon. I sure do wish I had more... perhaps someday. Hang in there... more good things on the way! Dan

I'm not sure of the history on this next one. Looks nearly identical to the WWII Fire Cross except for the center shield. Would love to hear any thoughts on this one. Onward ever onward... Dan

Here's a gold wound badge. I figured since I have a set of full size, a cut out, a naval and a full prinzen set of Imperial German wounds, a silver Condor Legion style hollow/solid back as well as a set of full size and stick pin WWII's I may as well have at least one example of the 57 reissues... although I'd eventually love a full set of these as well. Sorry to have to string these out but it seems the only way I can do it. But hope everything thinks it's worth it... more to come... Dan

Next in line is a Russian Front or "Frozen Meat" medal. I think I got this one for $7. As with all of these I just wish I'd had the forsight to get more. More to come... Dan

Next up is another one I consider a prize. I purchased it from the old Der Gauleiter auction and sales catalogues way back when for the "princely sum" of $25... I think I did pretty good in the long run. Yet more to come... Dan

This is one of my favorites. I found it on Ebay many moons ago. At the time I thought it was an unfinished repro of the 36 version. I wrote and brought this to the attention of the seller who was also not sure. He decided to pull it and offered it to me for the minimum bid which I believe was $40 and I took the chance. I then did some research and discovered that they had indeed reissued these in 57! Needless to say I was ecstatic! Especially since I'm fortunate enough to own an original 36 Olympics torch holder along with several other pieces from those games. So it definitely fits with the rest. As you can see the construction is similar to the original, but at least compared with copies I have of the 1st and 2nd classes of this decoration it is not concave but more flat in design. Also if you look carefully you'll see that the rings are "slightly" off center. But I love it just the same. More to come... Dan

Greetings all, I'm fairly new to the club... I joined a few months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the posts. Very educational and also uplifting as quite often I'm rolling on the floor laughing at something I've read or seen on here. I was very pleased to see this new section and so thought I'd go ahead, bite the bullet and make a post. I've tried to hold off doing this until I get a new scanner but it may be a while yet so I decided to take the plunge. Please excuse the pics as I have to do them with a digital camera on macro. Once I get a new scanner they'll improve, I promise! I've been into a little bit of everything over the years and managed to pick up a few West German and 57 pieces along the way. To be honest I wish to high heaven I'd gotten more. But sadly I listened to alot of my fellow collectors at the time (twenty some odd years ago) who said the 57 issue pieces were junk and would never amount to a hill of beans. Somehow I suspect they were keeping a secret stockpile somewhere and didn't want more competition as they've certainly gotten quite popular and the prices have gone up, up, up! Anyhow just thought I'd share what I have, many of which I've not seen posted yet. No idea if I have any "finds" here although that would be nice. I've been very lucky to make a few in my time. Would love any and all comments. The first piece is actually something I got in a dealer "junk box" many moons ago for like $5 if memory serves. It's had a not so professional repair on it and I'm not positive if it's original or not. But if it is it's my one "denazified" piece... so figure it fits here since before 57 it was the only thing the German vets could wear. More to come... Dan