Hauptmann

This is the clearest shot I could get of the marking with my camera. Will have to redo this one with my scanner next time I pull that out. Also, I got a copy of the NRA Man At Arms Gun And Sword Collector Vol. 32 No. 2 2010 with an interesting article on the 1895 Nagant's. It talks about how the officers pistol's (double action) are much more common than the soldier's pistol (single action) and how some of the officer's models have been "converted" to only function with single action ie: faking the soldier's model and thus fetching more money. It shows what to look for to try to avoid this situation. To be honest, I never realized there were two types like this nor that this was being done. Needless to say it's well worth it if you can get ahold of the article. Although it states that some collectors believe a very small number of these were converted during WWII to save on ammo all the examples they'd examined were modern conversions made to deceive. From what I understand only three small pieces have to be removed from the hammer to convert these and unless you know what to look for you could end up spending more for what ends up being a common piece. You basically have to remove the grip and sideplate and you'll then be able to see the difference. The officer's model has a notch on the hammer for a small piece of spring steel, a hole for a screw and another small piece that all go together, whereas the soldier's model has none of these on the hammer. So if you ever come across one of the "soldier's models" take care, do a bit of investigation re: asking if you can see inside the side plate and check it for authenticity. Of course if they don't want to show you then I think I'd just walk away. Anyhow for those of us who are not NRA members you can probably still find these at a local bookstore or order one through same. There's a picture of two Nagant's on the front cover, one in it's holster... you can't miss it! Dan

Finally managed to get a holster for my Nagant:

Hoping perhaps someone has more of these to share. I'd love to see more. The examples posted so far are terrific! I'd still love to get a railroad car plaque and some from official buildings as well one of these days. So if you've got more please consider sharing them with us. Dan

So does anyone have any new buckles to post? Would love to see more. Still hoping to be able to get a belt for my officers buckle at some point down the road plus perhaps add some variations and such to make another sub collection. Dan

Figured this was another good thread that deserves to be continued. Surely someone out there has some more Soviet military toys to post. I for one would love to see more. I'm still hoping to add some but so far none have come my way. So show em' if ya got em'! Dan

Many thanks on the additional info but where on the documents does this match to? If you could post the number of the post, etc., that would be a great help. And as I don't read but a very few words of Russian any additional info on this or the Bravery medal documents would be deeply appreciated... that is if there is anything else there that might have been missed. Thanks! Dan

Award Sheet 1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Aleksandronets, Pavel Grigorevich 2. Rank: Sergeant 3. Duty position: Gun Commander – 45mm Anti-Tank Platoon, 1 Rifle Battalion, 117 Rifle Regiment, 23 Rifle Division Recommendation for the Order of the Red Star 4. Born: 1916 5. Nationality: Belorussian 6. Party membership: n/a 7. Previous combat: since 10.03.1944 8. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a 9. Time in Red Army: since 19.10.1943 10. Inducted by: Loev Regional Military Commissariat, Gomel Oblast 11. Previous awards: n/a 12. Home of record: Gomel Oblast, Love Region, village of Rudnya-Kamenka. Wife – Anna Adamovna Aleksandronets Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment While repelling enemy counterattacks during the capture of Eberswald* and other population centers from 24.4 through 2.5.45, 45mm gun crew commander Sergeant P.G. Aleksandronets and his crew destroyed four enemy machinegun firing positions, two bunkers, one armored personnel carrier, and as many as 20 enemy soldiers, thus enabling the advance of our infantry, the repulsion of the enemy counterattack, and the resultant capture of the town. For courage and valor displayed in battle, he is deserving of the Order of the Red Star. Signed Commander, 117 Luchinets Order of Kutuzov Rifle Regiment, Hero of the Soviet Union Lieutenant Colonel Zinokurov on 13 May 1945 Endorsed Commander, 23 Rifle Division, General-Major Bakhrameev on 14 May 1945 Awarded the Order of the Red Banner by Order 138/N of the 23 Rifle Division dated 21.5.1945. Verified by Chief of Personnel, Captain (?) on 22 May 1945 *[trans: name may be different due to transliteration] Award Card Order Booklet A 852465 1. Last name: Aleksandronets 2. Name and patrionymic: Pavel Grigorevich 3. Rank: Reserve Sergeant 4. Gender: Male 5. Birthyear: 1916 6. Birthplace: Gomel Oblast, Laev Region, village of R. Kameneva, "May Day" Selsovet 7. Party membership: n/a 8. Education: elementary 9. Nationality: Belorussian 10. Time in Red Army: 11.1943-7.1946 11. Place of service at awarding: 117 Rifle Regiment, 23 Rifle Division – Gun Commander 12. Place of work at present: Gomel Oblast, Loev Region, "Star" Collective Farm – collective farmer 13. Home address: Gomel Oblast, Laev Region, village of Rudnya-Kameneva 14. Awards: Designation Serial Number Awarding Organization Red Star 2.183.801 23 Rifle Division dated 21.5.45 Liberation of Warsaw Medal Edict dated 9.6.45 Capture of Berlin Medal Edict dated 9.6.45 Victory over Germany Medal Edict dated 9.5.45 Verified by Love Regional Military Commissariat, Gomel Oblast, Administrative Services Captain Leiter on 14 February 1947 Abbreviated Award Card Summary Belorussian Private Pavel Grigorevich Aleksandronets (b.1916) was awarded the Combat Service Medal for Combat in the Battle of Khalkhin-Gol, according to an Edict dated 17 November 19[trans: illegible, however probably 1939]. He was bestowed the decoration 13.5.1941. At the time, he was responsible for the fuel and lubricants storage site, 37 Independent (?) Tank Division. He had entered service in 1937 and was a non-Communist Party member. He was a farmer in the Rudnya-Kameneva village, Gomel Oblast. SECRET 1 Belorussian Front, 61 Army, 23 Rifle Division Order 038/N dated 21 May 1945 On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the following decorations for exemplary mission accomplishment of the Command’s missions in the struggle against the German invaders and for displaying valor and courage: The Order of the Red Star 7. Sergeant Pavel Grigorevich Aleksandronets – Gun Commander, 45mm AT Platoon, 117 Rifle Division Signed Commander, 23 Rifle Division, Colonel Porkhachev

Hi all, This is one of two very generous gifts I've just received from a couple of friends. I've just posted the other, a Bravery medal and now for the ORS. As before, first I'll post the award, then the research and finally the translation:

Documents pertaining to Bravery Medal #3.285.061 1. Award card Certificate 072870 Last name: Mil Name and Patrionymic: Fedor Gerasimovich Rank: Private Sex: Male Birthyear: 1921 Birthplace: Kamenets-Podolsk Oblast, Satanovskii Region, village of Solomna Party Membership: n/a Education: elementary Nationality: Ukrainian Service in the Red Army: 8.41-11.45 Place of service and duty position at time of awarding: Driver – 677 Rifle Regiment, 409 Rifle Division, 2 Ukrainian Front Place of service and duty position at the current time: Odessa Factory of the October Revolution – Driver Home of Record: Odessa, Red Street #141, Apt 25 14. Awards Award Serial Number Awarder Bravery Medal 282.559 409 Rifle Division dated 12.4.45 Bravery Medal 3.285.061 677 Rifle Regiment dated 24.4.45 Victory over Germany Edict dated 9.5.45 Verified by Guards Lieutenant Colonel Denisenko on 1 November 1947 2. Award Citation Secret Order 011/N of the 677 Order of Suvorov Rifle Regiment, 409 Kirovograd Order of Bogdan Khmelnitskii Rifle Division 24 April 1945 Active Duty On behalf of the Praesidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, I award the Bravery Medal to: 10. Light Machinegunner, 9 Rifle Company Private Fedor Gerasimovich Mil who on 29.3.43 in fighting for the Perbet settlement (Czechoslovakia) while under heavy enemy rifle and machinegun fire supported the rifle company’s attack, thus enabling its success. Born 1912, Ukrainian, non-party member, in Patriotic War since 8.11.44. No wounds. Inducted 24.8.44 by the Satanov RMC, Kamenets-Podolsk Oblast. Awarded Bravery Medal by Order 015/n of the 409RD dated 12.4.45. Home of Record: Kamenets-Podolsk Oblast, Stanovskii Region, village of Solomna. Father – Mil, Gerasim Matveevich. Signed Commander, 677 Order of Suvorov Rifle Regiment, Major Borodin and Chief of Staff Captain Veklenko