Hauptmann

Generally pistols tended to be issued to artillerymen, machine gun crews... anyone who would need a weapon for self defense or to defend their post but who would not have been able to lug a full sized rifle around or use same in the environment in which way worked. Same logic for armored crews being issued carbines or SMG's, etc You mention this individual is in an artillery unit so it makes perfect sense that he has been issued the Mauser Broomhandle... as it can be both a pistol and a carbine of sorts once the stock is attached. Great pic! One I'd be proud to own and place with my Broomhandle. You ever want to part with it please keep me in mind. Dan :cheers:

I honestly thought the projections for someone coming up with the answer would have at least risen by now. No one is really reading these clues. I've already all but given it away. Let's see if these help. Perhaps the projections of someone giving a correct answer will go up with these clues. Good luck, Dan :cheers:

Dan :cheers:

Agreed. I went by the original pic you posted being the peened type which is what go me going on all that. Hopefully someone got something out of it and it was not for naught. But now you just need to get a new grip made. If you have a problem getting the pommel off bring it to our next meeting and we'll see what we can do. Dan :cheers:

Perhaps after this the projections for this question being answered will improve. Dan :cheers:

I'd like to add... that anything I see that either is or "should be" rare/scarce/hard to come by that suddenly shows up in droves either online or at shows, etc., raises all sorts of red flags and a resounding "Kirk to the bridge" in my head. Dan :cheers:

I hate to say it but fools and their money are soon parted. Lord only knows the information is out there if one only takes a little time to look, such as here on GMIC. Sad to say but I think alot more fake WW1 related items will be "coming out of the woodwork" the closer we get to the 100 year anniversary of the start of the war. Also sadly, far too many newbie or uninformed collectors will jump into the deep end of the pool and grab whatever they can and get totally and royally screwed as a consequence. I guess there are still a ton of folks out there with more money than sense or brains. One good thing about being on such a tiny budget most of the time, it's made me really think long and hard about any purchase I make. This is not to say I've not made the occasional mistake... not too long ago I purchased what I felt sure was a good early screwback wound badge in silver... turned out to be a bad one. But I didn't put a ton into it so I've learned from the mistake and I move on. I simply can't imagine laying out hundreds of dollars for anything unless I've VERY sure it's good and worth at least what I'm paying for it if not more. If folks simply took the time to use the tools available... references (even at the library where they can borrow or use them for free), the internet, fellow collectors, museums, etc., they would avoid the vast amount of utter garbage and junk out there and would become better collectors. People tend to be lazy. They get money that's burning a hole in their pockets, they see what gleams like gold and they grab it like a magpie to stick it in their little notch in a tree. Later, they need money, think... Oooh! That shiny precious I bought a while ago... I'll sell that and not only get what I have in it I'll make money to boot as it's such a rare precious! Then they find it's absolute junk... fake, bad, awful and worth zip, zilch and nada! Depression moves in... along with anger that they got taken and turns them off to the hobby and those involved in dealing in same. All the while, it was their own fault since they didn't avail themselves of the information out there and jumped in where angels fear to tread. Can't say it often enough... study, study, study and then study some more. For me it's an absolute hunger I've had since I was old enough to at least look at the pictures in books and then read. I would devour everything and anything libraries had to offer in my fields of interest. I still do. When I started out collecting there was no internet and references, though available were primitive by today's standards. There were auction catalogs which helped, especially in making valuations. We went to shows, shops, etc., and did the best we could. Who knows... maybe because we HAD to work harder to collect and enjoy the hobby we didn't have the opportunity to be quite as lazy in those days. All we can do is continue to share our hard earned knowledge to all who are willing to listen and take heed. The rest are like those folks who don't listen to hurricane warnings... have hurricane parties and end up either having to be rescued at the risk of more lives or simply ending up being killed. I've learned a major lesson in my life... most people don't want to be saved... won't listen and will always end the same way. Best one can do is save those who are willing to listen and take heed... the wheat and the chaff. Dan :cheers:

Mervyn, sorry you are not able to pull up the link... I just tried them and they both work so not sure what is causing you to not be able to access it. I've pulled the pic posted on one of the two links and pray that no one objects to my "borrowing it" from the original site to post here. It's for reference, education and I hope whoever originally posted it won't have a problem with it being here. But if there are any objections I'll of course be happy to remove it. You can clearly see the difference at the end of the grip/guard... one being the threaded type pommel with the cap screwed on to keep the assembly together, the other being the peened type where the heated/mashed end of the tang forms the small pyramidal shaped end that holds everything together. Threaded pommel cap type: Peened type: Nick, I hope once you get it cleaned up enough that you'll do up some pics and post as that will be of help in determining exactly the type, country of issue, etc. As always if you need help resizing or posting you've but to give me a nudge and I'll be happy to help. Dan :cheers:

Nick, there seem to be two basic types of this knife... one with a threaded and one a peened tang. Basically the threaded type has a pommel cap that is, after the grip/guard assembly has been installed, screwed/bolted to the end of the tang to hold it all together. However, things that are screwed/bolted can of course come loose over time or come apart. The peen method heats the end of the tang after assembly, and on these I'm assuming a machine would then peen the end of the tang, ie: hammer or more likely in this case use high pressure to form the end of the tang into the pyramidal shaped "cap" which holds it all together. Works great, until you get a situation such as you have where the grip has to be replaced. If you go here you'll see two examples of this knife, one with a threaded tang/pommel and the other that is peened: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t65710.html You'll see they are distinctly different. The example you show in the pic you posted definitely seems to be the peened tang type. Normally, if you didn't have the guard to worry about you could make a repair as shown in the example of a sword here: http://sbgswordforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=swordcustom&action=print&thread=10675 But with the guard involved you cannot afford to lose any of the tang's length. Here is what I would suggest. Finish your cleaning/rust removal. Then either make (or if you are not good with woodworking get someone who is to make) a new grip for it but in two halves, taking care that once complete they will fit together very well leaving a very small seam. Fit it together on the tang then once the fit is right glue the halves together, sand the seams to make them less noticeable, then finish it out (stain, etc.) and if done well there will be very little of the seam to see. I would suspect that with these peened types that this is what would have been done when grips were damaged/split, etc., when these were originally issued/used. I'm guessing it would not happen often but must have on occasion over the years they were used. Either that or field repair would have been made, most likely with someone carving out a grip, inserting the halves over the tang, then wrapping the grip with tape, twine or leather in order to hold it together. If done as I describe and done well, then I think you'll have a great display piece that will still be functional but as it is not being used in combat it won't take heavy punishment... only occasionally being handled and I'm assuming the rest of the time laying in a case or hanging on a framed display. It will maintain the look of the original if the right wood and stain are used and I think will display well. Of course others may have a better way of doing this, but that's the best I can come up with. I hope you're able to finish the restoration as it's a great piece of history and shows to what level of brutality the trench warfare reached during WW1. Dan :cheers:

Clue #1: Getting this new job gave me lots of perks and benefits, although there were a few nervous moments. I worked for my "boss" throughout WW2 and into the early 50's. Dan :cheers:

Sorry... incorrect. I'll say this... our man was not a leader. Dan :cheers:

Many thanks for the insights on this one. This is really outside my areas of interest and I was at a loss to give him much info on it. He's been having problems logging on but hopefully once he's back on he'll pop on and thank ya'll in person. I know his friend is wanting to know and I've no idea... but any thoughts on what something like this is worth? I'm assuming not a ton but again it's just not within my bailiwick so no earthly idea. Dan :cheers:

Told a friend about the two KGB LS medals and a bit later he said he'd managed to find me the one I needed to finish the set. Lo and behold on my birthday I receive not only that but a full set of the other type of KGB LS medals with the Roman numerals! Needless to say it was a great birthday! :jumping: Here they are... all together in a riker mount: Best part... the 10 and 15 year Roman numeral types are on a bar together! He wants to remain anonymous but my deepest thanks go out to him! Dan :cheers:

Question 44: My name is Alex but I was called Ivan when my story was told. I'm not giving last names here as it will give me away. I was totally loyal and had absolute faith in my master till he died then realized the error of my ways. I lost my friends, my wife and much of my life to this man... but gained a daughter in the process. Who am I (give both names)? Who did I work for? What organization did I have to join in order to work for him? What did I do for him? My story was told in two ways... what were they? Good luck! Dan :cheers:

Posting this for a friend who is a newer member. Someone he knows has it and said he was told it is a Bishops dagger or sword. I'd never heard of such a thing so hoping one of our more learned members in the area of swords may be able to ID/value this one. They're thinking it dates to around 1000 to 1100. Far as I know men of the cloth back in the times of swords and such were not permitted to fight with any weapon that could stab someone... only things like clubs, maces, staffs and such. So no idea why such a personage would have a sword/dagger... unless this is just what it's called and it doesn't have anything to do with an actual Bishop. Again any info deeply appreciated as we're totally and absolutely in the dark on this one. Dan :cheers:

Excellent question Frank. I too have heard alot of negatives and put downs on the things that came after the Soviet period and experienced the same general lack of interest. I think one reason is that after folks put out a sizeable amount on Soviet ODM's plus alot of study to learn all their was in that area of collecting that when the new stuff started to come out they were a bit burned out from it all. Soviet went way up, fakes hit the market and so they gave it a break and went on to what seemed to be greener pastures. Also, much of what initially came out were the so called Umalatova awards... mostly cheaper copies of Soviet awards. I for one grabbed what I could for cheap when I could including examples of the OGPW's they put out. Again made much cheaper than the Soviet types, even the 85's but I felt and still feel they needed to be represented in a collection that included the OGPW. I still don't know if they only put them out in one class as I've only seen the one type.. There are several of their awards that I would like and still have not been able to add to the collection but I've not seen much on offer for a long while. Then there were (and still are) a literal ocean of "awards" that were (and are) put out for vets, etc. They can be had for fairly cheap in most cases although it seems they've gone up a bit in the last few years. They're unofficial and seems new ones are being put out on a continuous basis. So by the time the Russian Federation started to put out official awards I think these others had put folks off. Plus, there seem to be many times the total amount of awards in the new system as there were in the Soviet system of ODM's. Way too many at todays prices and availability for most folks to put together a comprehensive collection... but only being able to obtain a few pieces they really like. I don't think there's an end in sight as seems they keep adding things as they go along. I think the Orders are pretty set but as far as medals I nearly expect a series for heroic milk men and another for heroic delivery drivers, etc., before it's all over and done with. Also, it seemed whenever someone who had an interest in any of these would post them alot of negative comments would be made and I think that made alot of folks either give up or just keep their interest in all this to themselves. Again just my opinion but it's definitely the feeling I've had for a long time. As far as Imperial ODM's or militaria in general, it's always seemed to make that such things were WAY beyond the average collectors budget and it only seems to have gotten worse. I have one cap cockade and a few replica pieces and consider myself lucky to have that. I can't dream of owning any of the Orders not to mention most of the medals. Plus they have pretty much been faked to death too so unless one has alot of expertise in the area it can also be a minefield. Anyhow, that's my twenty Rubles be it for better or worse. Hope it helps. Dan

Name of the ship: Soviet cruiser Ordzhonikidze I'm assuming you meant the two Soviet leaders on board the ship at the time: Nikita Khrushchev and Nikolai Bulganin were on a diplomatic mission to England at the time. Name of the British Commando Officer/Diver: Lionel "Buster" Crabb OBE, GM (28 January 1909 – presumed dead 19 April 1956) was a British Royal Navy frogman and MI6 diver. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Crabb Dan :cheers:

I don't suppose anyone would happen to have a Navy Cross mini they don't need and would consider letting go for not too much? I've had a miniature bar sitting here for ages and all it's missing is the Navy Cross mini. Even one without a ribbon, etc., would be fine as I have all that on the bar. Figured it couldn't hurt to ask. Just tired of seeing it sitting there incomplete. Many thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi Dillon, First, welcome aboard! Secondly, I would suggest you also post this in the Firearms & Ordinance section: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/forum/29-firearms-ordnance/ As far as your question... I don't believe there would be a way to trace the original owner. There were so many of these made and many records from the war were either deliberately destroyed or destroyed during the normal course of the war (bombings, fires, etc.). If it is marked to a specific unit it might be possible to narrow it down but still rather doubtful. Is it possible for you to take some good pictures of it (both sides, markings, etc.) that you could post? I for one would love to see it and I know of a number of other members who I'm sure would say the same. With good quality pics we may also be able to tell you more about it. Congratulations on getting one. I was lucky to obtain one about nine years ago after waiting a lifetime. A very good friend of the family had one that I have a feeling he was going to will to me, as he knew how much I loved his and wanted one. His was about a minty as they come, all matching, etc. Had the smoothest action on a handgun I've ever run across and was extremely quiet which really surprised me when firing it. He'd made it known to his family that he was planning to go to his attorney and have a will drawn up after he got back from a routine treatment at the hospital that he'd gone through tons of times during his life. Sadly, this time he passed away so didn't have a chance to make the will. He had an utterly fantastic collection of military pistols from the Civil War up through WW2 and they all went to the four winds. I know it would have broken his heart as I honestly believe he wanted certain pieces to go to certain friends and such. Just goes to show everyone, but especially collectors, should have a will. A number of years later an acquaintance of mine owed me some money on a deal we made and he knew I'd wanted a P-38. His brother had several, so he talked him out of one and gave it to me in lieu of what he owed me. Needless to say I was overjoyed. It's a good shooter, looks good and serves as a good example of the type in my collection. Hope you manage to get yours soon. They are nice and a dream to shoot. Dan :cheers:

I tried your link on this one and couldn't get the Ebay page to come up. So here it is again: http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_2531wt_1270 And here are the pics: Wish I could give a thumbs up or down... but I'm definitely not an expert on these naval WB's. I will say, if I saw this one for really cheap and had the money to spare, I'd grab it on the chance it was real. But one these, screw backs or anything more out of the ordinary I tend to defer to my fellow members who are much more expert in such things than I. Anyhow hoping this helps and that it turns out to be okay. Dan :cheers:

Okay, I left this open much longer than I'd originally planned but have only gotten the one comment, so I'm going to assume, at least for now, that the quiz has died on the vine. If, down the road, folks want to get it going again please let me know and I'll be happy to do so. Dan :cheers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Leonov Leonov was mentioned several times throughout the article, including the fact that he was in on the coverup. Mentioned a couple of times about Leonov in a photo that proved the coverup and scowling. Re: the pics: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/04/soviet-space-propaganda/?pid=1179 http://www.google.com/search?q=Grigori+Nelyubov+photo&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=643&prmd=ivnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pKBZTsHKOKPQiAKN5PmiCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQsAQ Dan

YES! :jumping: Was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever get this one. Tell me, did I give enough info on the original question and clues or not? I thought I had but want to make sure. By the by, that was indeed my source. Anyhow, congrats on a job well done! Dan :cheers:

Sorry re: pics Mervyn... I searched through a number of links on a google search and none of the reports had pictures of the award. No idea why unless the museum just wants folks to have to come there to see it in person. I just pray the family made the loan properly with paperwork drawn up by an attorney. I've been involved in museums in the past as has my family and honestly I can tell you some horror stories. Families or individuals who "loaned" pieces or whole collections only to years later ask for it back only to have the museum say it belongs to them, there are no records of such a loan... or that it was given to them originally, etc. Also times where the museum sells off such items later without the permission of the actual owners... and generally it seems they get away with such behavior. As a consequence I always advise folks considering such "loans" to have it all clearly spelled out in documents drawn up by a reputable attorney, having said attorney keep an official copy, as well as keeping a set themselves in a safe or safety deposit box along with their will and other important documents so down the road they can go back and reclaim their possessions. If the museum no longer has their records you can simply show yours and you have it. At least if they've broken the agreement you can take them to course and nail them to the wall. A shame that some museums give others a bad name like this. Dan :cheers:

Gents... I've given you plenty to be able to figure this one out. Just "carefully" read the original question and the clues. I've actually all but given it away. It is on the web... and will give you all the answers. But if you still need a clue: Clue #4: A certain famous Soviet Air Force General was rather put off that this cover-up was finally found out. Dan :cheers: