Hauptmann

Hi all, Need to know if I'm correct that this is a J.J.Stahl, Strassburg... no idea if that's a good maker or run of the miss or what? Also need a valuation if at all possible. Magnetic core (one pic shows a magnet stuck to it as well as showing the edge. Deeply appreciate any and all help.

Grasping at straws here... as it seems we all are. It couldn't be Vasily Sokolovsky could it? He was promoted to Lt. General in 1940, lived till 1968... but I can't find anything saying he was part of the Imperial Russian Army. Dan

As I'm still on duty till early this evening and am probably going to hit the bed right after, and may not be able to get time to come up with anything till late tomorrow at the earliest, I'd like to pass the honor of the next question to Windu since he did get part of one correct. Dan

Have a few minutes till my next run so... Arkady Gaidar http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/literature/arkady-gaidar/ This one was a bit of a challenge but once again I've learned some new things... which is what this is all about after all. Dan

Just popping in for a few minutes as I'm on duty and have to run again soon. But wanted to thank Jim again for handling the next question due to my being unexpectedly called into work for an extra day. Also congrats to Harvey and to Windu as well for making a great try and getting part of the answer! So far a great start to the quiz! Dan

Marshal Ivan Stepanovich Konev... the trial being that of Lavrenty Beria. Dan

Hi Jim... many thanks for the translation on this! Actually it's just the plaque... not on anything and no idea what it might have once been on. Dan

Wondered if anyone can tell me exactly what this says? Many thanks! Dan

Many thanks! Dan

Rather curious on this one. I've tried checking the various monograms used on AH's silverware on the web (don't have any refs specifically covering the subject at the mo) and can't find one identical to this. So figured I'd see if one or more of our members have any expertise with this area and whether this is possibly from one of his sets or just someone with the same initials. Info/comments welcomed.

Also does this appear to be the original nut? In any case, I'm happy to be able to add a serial numbered example to the collection at last. Dan

Been a long while since I've been able to add anything to this part of my collection. I've been wanting one of the serial numbered medals since I got into these and finally managed to get one. Seller (Motka) says it's a 1954 but hoping one of you can either confirm or correct this if it's wrong and perhaps give a bit more info on it. Also, does anyone happen to have a piece of green replacement ribbon for these?

Prussian Crown Order button hole miniature: Got it to go with a full sized on a double bar... 1914 EK 2/Crown Order 4th Class. Dan

I just feel as though I've seen this somewhere before... but cannot for the life of me remember. Will keep looking but hoping against hope someone ID's it soon... it's driving me NUTS! Dan

Excellent suggestion Chris. No problems on my end. I'd like to see this do as much good as possible so no one else ends up with one. If it saves one person from falling into the same trap then it's all been worth it. Dan

Video... I could cry! http://www.reuters.c...ideoChannel=200 http://www.cbsnews.c...ch/?id=7369943n http://www.cnn.com/v...omber.crash.WLS Dan

http://www.chicagotr...story?track=rss I just don't have the heart to post the pics and full article. I love to see em fly but this is the price we have to pay. I thank God everyone is safe... but what a tremendous loss to history. Dan

It's the letters on the ribbon... the A is clear... but not the others. Could be AOC or AOG or AOE... seems to run from top to bottom and from side to side. I've tried doing searches for same but so far no luck. Will keep trying. But perhaps he can made it out. Again it may be the clue needed to ID this. Also, ask him if the ribbon is purple or blue. That too could make a difference. Dan

I see letters on the cross on the ribbon... but can only clearly make out the A in the pic. What are the other letters? That could help. Dan

Many thanks Chris. Well, I guess it's time to hang it up then... at least as far as anything outside of members here that I can trust re: anything German from any war or era, but especially anything out of the ordinary. Very disheartening! I simply cannot tell anymore. Dan

Many thanks Gordon... on all counts! Can't wait for the new ref... just hoping I won't have to mortgage the house to afford one. Dan

Dear Gordon, THANK GOD! A response! I thought perhaps everyone had left but me... was starting to hear the crickets chirping! Seriously though, thanks for getting with me on this one. I'd no idea this was the case. All I can say is, holding it in my hands... and having quite a number in my collection (not screwbacks) from WW1 up through the 57's... seeing the detail on this one... how well it's made... even down to how well the screwback fits and moves on the post... no wobble, etc., I have to say, if it's not good... then we have a BIG PROBLEM as it would mean the fakers are getting far TOO good. I don't know if this helps at all one way or the other but I know some WB's are magnetic and others are not... I tested it and this one is. But again... holding it in ones hand it compares very favorably to all the other originals I have and have seen/handled over the years... which is a considerable number. Although I've not seen/handled many screwbacks and till one of my friends gave me one a couple years back (double screwback WW2) I'd never owned one... or any other Imperial or TR screwback award. So I can't really speak too much on the screwback portion... other than re: the many examples I've seen on here and the web in general, in refs, etc. But re: the WB itself... again the work is definitely what you'd expect from an original piece. Unless more info comes to light I can only say I feel good about this one. Nothing is calling "Kirk to the bridge"... no red alert lights are coming on. I got it for a very good price so not worried in that department at all. But would be nice to have it confirmed for sure. This is a perfect example of why I, and I'm sure many others, have gotten so skittish about getting anything TR these days. But again the price was low enough that I had to take the chance. Again many thanks for popping over the additional info. Dan

Dan

Dan

Dan