Hauptmann

Hi Uwe, I knew about the ring being a replacement and not the much smaller size. But as some repairs go this one is quite sturdy and well done. Just should be smaller... totally agree on that. Only way to correct it of course is to go to a jeweler and have it redone. On the bar I wondered about that. So is that for one of the earlier smooth reverse awards? I know they used those on the higher grades but this is definitely in bronze... I just double checked it in good light. Again for what I got it for I'm not worried if it's a bit of a missmatch. Dan

Keep an eye out on German Ebay: www.ebay.de Search for: Vaterländischer Verdienstorden You can often find DDR deals on there. One drawback, at least for me here in the states, is not too many German Ebayers seem willing to take Paypal. And many that do don't necessarily list that in their auctions. And if you find one (or other things you want) remember it never hurts to make an offer. Absolute worst they can say is no and you're no worse off. But if they say yes you've come out ahead and even if they come back with a counter offer it can still save you some money. Let me know how you make out on this. Dan

I'm not positive but I'm thinking a modern Spanish award. The rectangular metal piece on the top of the ribbon is the same was what the Spanish use on their medals. Also on the coat of arms in the first picture... I believe that's the pillars of Hercules used on alot of Spanish coins, medals, etc. Also the quartering on the arms... the castle and the lion... Castile and Leon. Although on the ones I'm familiar with on Reale coins and such there are generally two quarters with the castle and two with the lion opposite diagonally to each other. Anyhow hope this helps somewhat. Dan

Plus the fact that in the first few the "tribesman" is doing away with the uniformed solder and then they are getting him. Now I assume that in a real situation the guy holding the camera taking these shots would have belonged to one side or the other (doubtful on the side of the natives) and so I doubt he'd merely be clicking away as one of his fellow soldiers was done in. I'm 99.9% certain you are correct that these are movie stills or done for training manuals. Dan

Actually Barry I think you may be right on the spot! That's the very feeling I got when seeing these. Posed and probably movie related. But as you say could also be for training manuals and such. But I've been involved with movie props and such for a long while and I'm really leaning on the movie side of things. Check out the nice looking wrist watch on the "tribesman" in pic number 2. Just seems rather out of place to me. I'm thinking simply extras dressed up for the part and doing their thing. Dan

Oh I totally agree. In this case I got it for a very very good price with no story at all. The story was just a note included with it when it arrived here from Australia. So no more asked or added to it. Just what they passed along. Dan

Many thanks! And hey... you'll get there. I'm still locating and getting goodies I thought I never would. Most if not all good things come in time. You've just gotta be dilligent and keep your eyes peeled. And I've also found that once in a while such things just kind of walk in the door and end up in your lap. Two examples... many years back a friend came over one afternoon and handed me a WWII Japanese helmet, complete with the liner, straps (still tied in the proper way), etc., in absolutely mint condition. His grandfather had brought it back from the war. He was long passed on, his grandmother was moving to an assisted living facility and they were clearing out the big house. His dad found it and asked if he wanted it. He said he really didn't have any interest but could he give it to a friend which was agreed. Sadly I wasn't that much into Japanese items at that time and later traded it off for some TR. I've regretted it almost from that moment. I knew the guy, tried to get it back many times but the guy took advantage of me as a new collector on several other items and I broke with him. Sigh. The idiot mistakes of youth. Then recently one of my wife's co-workers and a new friend to both of us was running the Schwans (frozen foods) route here in our town as a substitute. He came by for our order and I had him in and we talked a bit as I showed him a few highlights of the collection as he was intro'd. He had a few odds and ends he'd picked up over the years but didn't really collect. He'd mentioned he thought he had a German Wound Badge. I showed him my collection and it was confirmed. He said his had two screws on the back. I mentioned that I had never managed to add such to my collection. He said it's yours if you'd like it. It was all I could do to not fall over! And when I got it a few days later and then had it confirmed by our fellow members, not only as authentic but as a silver... it was again about all I could do to stand up! You just never know what's coming around that next bend in the road. I pray you'll find and get that VvO real soon! And would love to see your newest addition. Will keep an eye out for your post. Dan

Hi Keenan, I totally agree... an excellent display! Keep up the great work! Brian... methinks "real" honest to goodness surplus stores have nearly become "old guy talk" too! I remember when you could still find some WWI gear for next to nothing and tons of WWII material. Now so many of these places it's nearly like walking into Kmart. It's sad but the good ole days are long gone. Dan

Another VvO: As you can see the ring has been replaced (very good job too!) at some point. Eventually hope to find the matching ribbon bar and case for it. The last owner included this note with it: This medal from our collection was obtained from an American woman who used to live here in Australia some years ago. She in turn obtained it from an East German who successfully got over the Berlin Wall approximately a year before it came tumbling down. She worked for the U.S. Army in Berlin (American Zone). She was a bit of a collector (also brought me a piece of the Berlin Wall with the grafiti). A shame more information does not follow most of what we collect. But it was nice of them to send this along. Dan

Many thanks Rick! I deeply appreciate!!!! Dan

A couple more have just joined the ever growing family courtesy of koopyetz (Rick)... photos are also his:

Yet another amazing discovery! So glad that this brave pilot was finally given the proper burial and honors he deserved. May he rest in peace. Many thanks for posting! Dan

I'm fairly certain a good number of records from Imperial times do indeed survive, buried away in some long forgotten part of the archives. The reason I say this is from my reading on the various forms of the NKVD, KGB, etc., from the beginning of the communist takeover they wanted to know who had worked for the Imperial system, who had served it in the military... especially officers to see who would be of possible value to the new regime and who had to be eliminated. I'm sure their agents went through such records with a fine tooth comb and kept them on hand in case they were ever needed. The problem would be accessing such records. Like so much in Russia so many things like this are still considered top, top secret even after all this time. And I'm sure they don't want to dig up or air their dirty laundry as I'm sure so many of those whose records one would find were later killed off in purges, executed out of hand, worked to death in the camps, etc. One can but hope that in the future at some point such records would indeed become available for research, both historical and genealogical. But I can't see that happening anytime really soon. Of course I may be wrong in some or all of this. I'm sure we have members who are far more knowledgeable in this area than I. But I figured I'd plop in my two kopeks. Dan

And nearly forgot... I got this as a gift over the holidays. My only German screwback award... a silver one: Dan

My latest addition... an early Souval 57 in silver to go with my black one in post #55. I'd forgotten that one got nailed as a Souval as well. Sure hope they continue breeding. They're like potato chips... can't eat just one! Dan

Thanks Darrell. Good to know I nailed it! So now I have an early black and an early silver 57... have to start keeping an eye out for an early gold. Gotta keep em' breedin'! Dan

Hi Dean, Hey, don't beat yourself up. I'm glad to see you jump in. You tried... that's alot more than most people do in the world today. I'll PM you once I get back from work this morning and send over some examples showing the differences between the different WB's to help you out. They're really distinctive once you know what to look for. Never forgot... we NEVER stop learning. I've also jumped in before and not been right. C'est la vie! It happens. But then I learn from the experience and move on. I'm 47 and still learning and hope never to stop. I'm not an expert in any one area but I think I've been able to hold my own for the most part and occassionally help out others. And hey, that's what we're all about here... helping each other, sharing our knowledge and experiences and all becoming better for it along the way. Anyhow gotta run for now but nice try and I for one deeply appreciate the effort. Please don't hesitate to jump in... and NEVER EVER hesitate to ask questions. There's no such thing as a foolish question. It's how we all learn. Keep on truckin' and it'll get easier... I promise! Dan

Many thanks Darrell. Was indeed hoping it was an early 57! Do you also agree it was probably a silver? I've shown it to Grant and he tends to agree on that. Mucho thanks my friend! Dan

Hi all, My newest arrival... actually waiting for the stork but shouldn't be long. But not quite sure where to place this one. Not sure if it's an extremely well denazified TR one or if it's an early 57. Also not positive if it was originally a black or a silver. Appears it's a zinker which has absorbed the color. I can't see traces of any... at least on the photos. But noted that the base of the catch/hook is silver in color. I'm not positive but I'd think that to be odd on a black one but not on a silver. So opinions extremely welcome on this one. Also, I know it's not possible to make out in the pics but the maker is L/58 which I believe is Rudolf Souval but please correct me if I have this wrong. Thanks!!!! Dan

Yes. Here's a link to WAF I found which deals with these in more detail. Hope this helps. Dan

Dean... here's a thread that might be of interest. Towards the bottom of it you'll see one of the few original SS bars known. Hope it's of help. Dan

Don't give up total hope yet. I'd definitely prefer to see one of our more expert members like Rick Research pop on and give their opinions. Like I said I'm kind of stepping out on a limb on this one. I pray I'm wrong but just had to give my gut feeling. Out of curiosity, is this one you own or one you're looking to buy? Hoping if you own it you don't have much in it in case it is confirmed as a fake beyond a doubt. Trust me, we've all been burned over time, myself included. But always much easier to take when it was not a large amount. Plus, you just have to take it as a learning experience. Over time you'll know precisely what to keep an eye out for. Dan

Hi Dean, I'm far from an expert on these but I'm going to go out on a limb and say I don't like it. The ribbons look far too new, the pin clasp on the back looks like the many Ohio parts bars I've seen examples of in the past. There are extremely few... I think only a couple or so, confirmed original SS bars. If you check this link (by our own Richard Lundstrom (Rick Research) it shows an original SS miniature along with examples of fakes. From what I can see in your picture I think I see some pitting and uneveness in the lines as well as a lack of the cleft between the runes. http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/related/ribbons/device_gallery/ss_runes/ss_runes.htm Have you checked this bar with a UV (ultra-violet) light? It's not a sure thing but it's often an indication of fakes if the material glows. Check the pin clasp... see if you can see any marks like pencil lines. If so that's a sure sign of an Ohio parts bar. I'm sure if Rick sees this he'll hit the nail on the head and confirm it one way or the other for sure. Hope I'm wrong but again I just don't like the look of it. If I saw it for sale as a fake for cheap I'd pick it up just as a space filler or for parts but that's about it. Dan

Not a problem. Just hoping it helps in getting you some info. Looks like a nice uniform. And always great to have items from the service of family members. Dan

Hi John, Hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of posting these for you. Sorry I can't give you any info but hoping some of our fellow members can. Best of luck! Dan