Hauptmann

A bit more info from the auction: 1. COUNTRY of ORIGIN : East Germany (DDR) --------------------------- 2. CONTEXT : Medal Plaque commemorating a Soviet soldier saving a small German girl (see below for more details) --------------------------- 3. ENGRAVER : no attribution --------------------------- 4. COMPOSITION : appears to be Bronze, but may be a less expensive ?bronzed? metal ? no markings --------------------------- 5. MINTMARK(S) : none --------------------------- 6. CONDITION : Excellent --------------------------- 7. DIMENSIONS : 94 mm x 40 mm --------------------------- 8. WIDTH : 3.75 mm --------------------------- 9. WEIGHT : 102 grams. With Presentation Box 240 grams. --------------------------- 10. COMMENTS : The Soviet War Memorial (sometimes translated as the Soviet Cenotaph), is a vast war memorial and military cemetery in Berlin's Treptower Park. It was built to the design of the Soviet architect Yakov Belopolsky to commemorate 5,000 of the 80,000 Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle of Berlin in April-May 1945. It opened four years after the war ended on 8 May 1949, and served as the central war memorial of East Germany. The focus of the ensemble is a monument by Soviet sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich: a 12-m tall monument of a Soviet soldier with a sword holding a child, standing over a broken swastika. Vuchetich's inspiration for the monument was Soviet soldier Nikolai Masalov (1922-2004), who on 30 April 1945 found a German girl wandering near Potsdamer Platz during the Battle of Berlin and brought her to safety. Despite rumors that this episode was Soviet propaganda, owing to a journalist use of a different name for the girl's rescuer, officially confirmed documents exist that substantiate at least five cases of Russian soldiers delivering small German children to orphanages during the Battle of Berlin. The base of the statue contains a small room lined in mosaics, in which wreaths are usually laid. Dan :cheers:

Hi Christophe, Many thanks! Actually I wish I had more info on them. I also posted here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8727...200#entry320442 Hoping Gordon will pop on with more info once he's back and can dig his example and the WAF link out. I'm not a WAF member so can't do searches, see pics or anything else. But as mentioned in the other post there is a silver grade so assuming there's a gold as well... although I've never seen any but the bronze like mine... and they've all been without cases. No idea till Gordon comes back (or other members comment ) as to whether the cases for the different grades were the same or not or any other details. What you see is what I know for now. And it'll probably be upwards of a couple of weeks before it arrives from France although I hope luck is with me and it's a bit quicker. But hoping we can learn more about these. Dan :cheers:

Hi Gordon, Many thanks! Never seen one in other grades so would love to see your's when you have the time to dig it out. Also any info would be deeply appreciated. I've been searching for a couple of days on the net on the off chance I'd get it but nothing on the plaques... only on the park and monuments, etc. Would definitely learn all I can about them. Also, assuming there's a gold version then? Is your's in a blue case like mine or a different color? Just so you know I also posted it here by itself in case you'd like to pop additional info there once you're back and squared away. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3412...mp;#entry320426 Will stay in a holding pattern and keep my fingers tightly crossed. Mucho thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, My latest addition to the DDR collection: http://www.geocities.com/isanders_2000/treptower.htm http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Treptower_Park http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_War_Me...Treptower_Park) If Kim and I ever get over there it's definitely one place I'd like to visit. Dan :cheers:

My latest... just off Ebay: A plaque of the Treptower Monument in Berlin. Dan :cheers:

A few more new additions: Sorry for the poor pic... all I have at the moment. Hope to make scans once they arrive. Dan :cheers:

Hi Charles, I think it's basically ignorance... just folks that thing they're getting a super bargain... especially if it says "German made" as in the example you gave. A lack of English language references or just references dealing with these in general helps to create the problem. As you know daggers generally tend to be biggies. Used to be primarily the Imperial and TR German daggers. I remember when I got into Bulgarian... all was super cheap including the daggers which could be picked up for about $25 to $50 including (much of the time) the parade dress belts with hangers/chains, etc. Now price them! I also remember when you could get Swiss daggers for cheap... I wish I'd grabbed one as they quickly went up, up, up! Same with East German daggers. I remember when the standard officers daggers (with or without box and accessories) went for about $25 to $50 each and the cased Admirals/Generals for about $75 to $150. Again check the prices now. I never did get any and fear I never will unless I lay out a ton of $$'s. As you know I got one of these "Hungarian daggers" sans the eagle on the crossguard for super cheap as a copy... I can't remember exactly how much but think it was only about $12 plus shipping... something like that. For that price it's an okay display piece but for the higher prices I definitely agree... an absolute crime. I remember when no one was intro'd in Communist daggers or those of just about any other country other than early British and as I said Imperial and TR German. Even Japanese naval officers daggers used to be cheap... I had one and let it go. I think I had like $50 in it and let it go for about $150. Italian Fascist daggers also went through the roof long ago and it's another long time regret of mine that I never got one. I've seen a couple of copies over time but they went for about $300 some odd... if I could get a really nice, accurate copy for about $100 or less I'd probably grab it (assuming I had the money at the time) as I just love the style. I long ago gave up on an original unless God tosses me one in an estate sale or through some other fluke. Basically the WWII daggers (primarily the TR) went through the roof, became less and less available and folks (as always) moved into new areas. It's like watching cattle or horses move into new grazing lands. And of course many folks just have more money than brains, don't bother to research and just grab thinking they've gotten a fantastic deal and then... years later when they need/want to sell find out what they got. With me... if I "know" it's a decent copy for a cheap price no problem. If it's "supposed" to be original and at a high price... well, it scares me to death anymore. Dan :cheers:

Many thanks my friend! Been having to keep an eye out for inexpensive deals as that's about all I can do right now. Very happy with both of these. Dan :cheers:

Dan :cheers:

Hi all, It's been quite a while but here's my two latest acquisitions for my Hungarian collection:

The more I see over on German ebay the more I feel that the Feuerwehr used the darker blue colored uniforms and the collar tabs with fire helmet and fire axe, etc., whereas the Zivilverteidigung used the WWII type tabs with the purple backing along with specific civil defense insignia such as the patches, cuff titles, etc. But seems the boards were the same between them... at least as far as the piping color and most likely were indeed the same. So the uniforms and other insignia on the whole would set them apart as two different organizations. Dan :cheers:

No problem! Just sent you more examples via PM. Seems the piping color was the same but the uniforms colors, etc., were different. So definitely... I'd leave it as is as it's most likely just the way it's supposed to be. Dan :cheers:

Hi Paul, Was just surfing on German Ebay and it seems that they might have used that same piping and insignia for both the Civil Defense and the Fire Service as the sellers there keeping mentioning that such insignia were used by both. So it might just be that the boards that are on there are indeed correct. Dan :cheers:

Hey, you'll get there... just keep on truckin'! And remember, you've got some pieces I'd love to have (drool, drool... heavy on the drool!). You really do tend to have the golden touch when it comes to this stuff. Mucho thanks! Dan :cheers:

Many thanks my friend! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Something came up tonight I haven't thought of for a while. When I was much younger I used to get World War II history magazines whenever I could. Sadly I only have a few. But I believe in one of those or a similar magazine there was a very good article on Luftwaffe survival buoys. I've looked high and low and so far I can't find my copy of this. It may be in storage and if so there's no telling when I'll be able to lay my hands on it. These were set out in the English Channel so that pilots and aircrew that were shot down (German or otherwise) could get to them in their life rafts or by swimming if close enough and inside they'd find all the basic survival gear they'd need to stay alive till rescued... bunks, blankets, dry clothing, water, food, flashlights, equipment to make repairs on the buoy if needed, pumps, etc. Both sides tended to check them so they'd either be rescued or captured depending on who was in them and who found them. From what I understand the Germans felt these should have had the same protection as Red Cross facilities but the British would often shoot at them figuring that if the airmen survived what was the point in shooting them down in the first place. Not making any judgements here... it's just what I read in several articles. But basically that's one reason that they finally stopped putting them out there. Here's a site I found with a few pictures... but basically what I'm looking for is a picture or series of pictures that I remember from that magazine showing a cutaway (similar to the one on this site) but labeled as to what was stored where inside. It may also have been in color... I just can't remember for sure. Hoping perhaps one of our members may have this and would be kind enough to post it or perhaps a scan of the complete article as I feel it would be of interest to all our members interested in the Luftwaffe: http://www.luftarchiv.de/index.htm?/gerat/rettung.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirk_bruin_vl...57602180011317/ Thanks! Dan

Also here's a link Uwe gave in another post which may be helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Meri...People%27s_Army http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_For_Fai...%E2%80%99s_Army As you see this also covers the Medal of Merit of the NVA. Dan :cheers:

And last but not least... an early document and folder:

And my two latest additions... one in hand and one just won and will be about a couple of weeks or so. 5 Year Faithful Service medal in the NVA Type 1 - (1956-59) Bronze, with serial number on reverse. DDR flag on the obverse without the State Seal. 10 Year Faithful Service medal in the NVA Type 3 - (1962-63) Silver "900" content stamp on reverse above the intersection of the crossed laurel branches.

Hi Grant, I believe that's what Uwe meant on the case. It's sure a nice one. Please keep me in mind if you ever want to part with it. Hope you don't mind... but figured I'd pop a few over here. First a full set:

My latest two additions. Please forgive the photos... due to some leakage in my basement I've not been able to do scans for a bit but hoping to be able to soon. Plus I just won the second of these so it'll be at least a couple of weeks (I'm guessing) before it will arrive. My first Serial Numbered DDR medal: 5 Year Faithful Service medal in the NVA Type 1 - (1956-59) Bronze, with serial number on reverse. DDR flag on the obverse without the State Seal. And my first silver marked DDR medal: 10 Year Faithful Service medal in the NVA Type 3 - (1962-63) Silver "900" content stamp on reverse above the intersection of the crossed laurel branches. Been waiting a long time to get an example of these. Hoping to be able to find the same at some point for the Medal of Merit of the NVA as that's by far my favorite DDR medal. So far I have quite a few of them but none with either a silver mark or serial number. But here's hoping some day... Dan :cheers:

Hi Uwe, Not that I can think of off hand. You and Gordon have been most helpful. And that link you gave for the pieces in English was a tremendous help. I've seen the Bartel's and heard them talked about but again, from what I've seen they're all in German. I'm sure the same details are in those and probably even in the reference I have... but again I'm not quite fluent enough to pick them out. So having them in English is WONDERFUL!!!! Also I just managed to add my first silver marked piece: Again pics are sellers... it'll be a bit before it arrives as I just now won the auction, but once it gets here I'll do up better scans and repost. With the help of that link I find this one to be a Type 3 - (1962-63). Again thanks so much for all the help in all this. Gives me a much better idea of what I'm looking for. Dan :cheers:

Okay... now reading through the link you gave me (many thanks Uwe! ) I see a few things. The last one I pictured is, it seems, a Type 1 (1956-1959) of the five year medal. I also see that there were indeed "silver" medals that were gold plated, etc., for the higher levels (15/20 year). I also see that serial numbers were discontinued in 1959 and as the bronze level (5 years) of this award was the only one in existance for this particular award prior to 1959 with the 10 year and up awards coming post 1959 the only examples in this particular series with serial numbers would be the bronze 5 year medal. I also found answers to several of my questions on the Medal of Merit. Sure wish they covered all the Orders, medals and badges on that site. But I'll definitely be printing these out and putting them with my other reference materials. Great stuff!!!! Many thanks!!!! Dan :cheers:

I recently obtained one with a serial number... my first and only so far... 044086: Sorry for the pic quality... they're the best I have right now till I can sort out my basement again and get to my scanner. But in that same series of medals as well as the others I showed I've seen the silvers (and in this case the bronze) with serial numbers so I'm assuming any of the levels of those series of medals could have serial numbers, correct? I've also seen "silver" examples of both with the silver marking... sometimes on the reverse and sometimes on the edge. At times this is on a serial numbered example and at times not. And since these are the only "medals" I've seen with them so far those are the ones I've been keeping an eye out for with examples of serial numbers and/or silver marks. So again I'm assuming that "only" the silver grade/silver content awards were silver marked but that all grades could be serial numbered, and at times serial numbered as well, if both were on a silver grade medal with silver content. Hoping I've got this right. As far as valuations on either of these types with serial numbers and/or silver markings I've no idea. I just know they're rather tough to find... at least on this side of the pond. Dan :cheers:

Hi Uwe, Many thanks to both you and Gordon for helping out on this. Still not totally clear on some of it. Will try to clarify in a sec... but for now here's the ref I have: Okay... here are the two medal series that I've seen examples having either serial numbers and/or silver marks (on the silver ones):