Hauptmann

Also... does anyone know if the DDR kept records whereby such serial numbered awards could be researched as with Soviet awards? I know alot of records were detroyed by the Stasi towards the end but would this have included regular military personnel records and such which is where I'm assuming such awards would have been recorded. And as such awards seem so hard to come by I'd assume there would not be that many of them comparatively. Thanks again, Dan :cheers:

Hoping someone can help with this. Out of the earlier DDR medals which ones would have either a serial number or silver mark? The only ones I know of for sure are the Verdienstmedaille der NVA and the Medaille f?r Treue Dienste - Nationalen Volksarmee. Also were only the silver grades actually made of silver or were the golds perhaps silver and then gold plated? And if so could the silver marks also be found on the golds... or only on the silver? I know some silver marks were put on the reverse of the medals but some were on the edge. For those on the edge is there any way to tell it's that type without seeing the edge... perhaps something else that was unique to those particular marked medals? I have one of the refs on the DDR Orders and medals but of course it's all in German and I'm not quite that fluent to pick up all these points. Oh how I wish (and I know alot of others) that someone would do a good reference on these in English. Or at least a decent translation of those in German or other languages. Anyhow I'd be grateful for any help on all this. Many thanks! Dan

Geez Rick... was just thinking that same exact thing! Could have been his double! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Tonight (4-5 p.m. cst) on the History Channel... Cities Of The Underworld - Stalin's Secret Underground. Fascinating stuff! Includes the communications bunker where the cable was sent to call off the Cuban Missile Crisis. Dan :cheers:

Hi Warthog, Sorry for the delay in replying on this. It's been one of those months and then some with the weather we've been going through and such. I wish I could tell you more... I'd suggest you post a query over in the HJ section and copy the link for this thread there for reference. I'm sure the guys there will be able to give you more specifics on these and others as far as what to keep an eye out for. To be honest, I had a fairly decent TR collection and have basically sold off the majority of my original items... keeping a few really nice copies. Now, if I want an example of something and I find a nice copy for cheap I grab it. Much better than laying out a ton of hard earned cash only to find out something is a fake anyway. At least with a copy I know what I'm getting and I'm getting it for the cheapest price possible. Just far far too many copies from utter garbage up to excellent near perfect copies out there in TR land for me to risk it anymore. I got my stuff back in the day when IC's ran about $5 to $25 for a 2nd (either war) and 1st's ran about $30 to $75 (either war). I got fairly decent prices/trades when I let go of it all and nowadays would be scared to death to go where even angels fear to tread. Anyhow... good luck with finding some good pieces at good prices. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Here's my latest addition to the ribbon bar collection. It's from our member Vitaly (mucho thanks my friend! ) and are his pics used with permission: I'm assuming the last award is Polish? Dan :cheers:

As always comments are most welcome. Any ideas on manufacturers? Thanks!!!! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Well, they're breeding again! My newest additions as of yesterday afternoon. Forgive the camera pics but was anxious to post them. Will be happy to do scans in the next day or two if requested. Both are black and I cannot find any makers marks on them. One has a wider edge than the other... or perhaps thicker is the proper term? Both appear to be brass.

Sorry for the slightly off pic quality... was anxious to post these for comments but will try to scan in the next day or so and replace these pics with scans. Did these with my new camera and hoping they'll be good enough to get some feedback which of course, as always is deeply appreciated. Thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, My newest as of yesterday (Friday) afternoon... Order of the Red Star serial number 2132502:

Great pics! I've got to say this though... in that last... the officer in the background... those new peaked caps look awful! The top is way too big! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Great thread! Just wondered... are there any Cavaliers of the OLG who also were awarded the HSL? Or is having the three just considered the same and they wouldn't be eligible for the HSL? Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Finally another new addition here... Medal for 300th Anniversary of Russian Navy: It's actually quite nice with a very nice finish on it. Really stands out. Dan :cheers:

Hi Eddie, Many thanks for this additional information. Although it appears the Banner one is a partial or complete put together but I think I did okay regardless so it doesn't bother me. But this is definitely valueable information on the Banner. Thanks again, Dan

Hi Gordon, Sorry... a slight misunderstanding. I'd meant I'd be happy to post closer shots if it would help to show others what you were saying. I totally understand. But again I feel I did okay even if they are put togethers (will PM). Many thanks! Dan :cheers:

No problem at all. Glad I could help. Just out of curiosity what is it you're looking for as again you may be able to find a not too expensive (comparatively) copy re: the old Replica Arms. I've had one of their MP40's for ages. I actually had another. Long story but had bought one from the old Der Gauleiter auctions/sales catalog for $75 and another popped up in my neck of the woods afterwards for $50. I got the $50 one and returned the other. Been kicking myself ever since as they go for upwards of about $300 to $400 nowadays! But at times you can luck out and find them cheaper. You may also inquire with some of the reenactment groups as they get stuff all the time, most of which fire blanks. But as far as the real stuff that's been made dewat and then had a replacement receiver, as you see you can easily spend $1,000 depending on what you're looking to get. Some like the Stens go much cheaper but still alot for something to hang on the wall or put with a display. Another option is resin movie props. Some look very real but are probably your cheapest alternative, or perhaps the Airsoft copies some of which look pretty good. Check out this search on Ebay: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksi...-All-Categories I saw several Thompsons, an MP 40, some AK47's in the $200 to $400 range but a ton much cheaper. Even a very nice looking M1 Garand for $200 some odd... some buy it now and some depending on how the auction goes. But best of luck. Hope you find what you're looking for for a good price. Dan :cheers:

Hi Gordon, No idea as it's the way it came to me. In these days there's no telling... could be a put together... but I did so well on these it wouldn't matter. But many thanks for the info. Should I post photos of just that bar focusing on how the attachment has been made? Be happy to do so... just let me know. Thanks again, Dan :cheers:

And here's a pic of a Sten parts kit: Receiver has been completely removed from this so it would need a dummy receiver. Again just search the web and there's ton's of info out there. Dan :cheers:

Hi FlaHP, I'm not an expert on this and may be a bit out of date but I'll give this a try. To my knowledge, according to U.S. law, to be demilled a full auto firearm's receiver had to be vertically flame cut in three places with a torch, which of course ruins the look of them as well. Here's one from a Thompson SMG that's been flame cut into 3 pieces with the one that attaches to the barrel completely removed: (pics from International Military Antiques site) They've sold kits for ages (Shotgun News, etc.) where the receivers have been replaced by phony's that are made to look right but are non-functional. Otherwise, if it's been done in any other way I believe they are still considered to be a full auto firearm and has to be registered as same, tax paid, etc. The laws over here (and in many other countries) are NUTS to say the least and at times even the BATF doesn't understand them all. If you inquire different agents will tell you different things. But when it comes right down to it if you do the littlest thing wrong you may expect to receive a visit from several well equipped agents. Trust me... there are horror stories out there (just search the web, read gun magazines, talk to dealers at shows) and most of them are sadly all too true. I've never purchased full auto or even one of the kits. Only thing I'd ever get was one of the old Replica Arms replica's made of metal, plastic or wood depending what was on the original, made to look, function and even break down like the real one but with fully blocked barrels and made to slightly different size specs and out of pot metals and such in order that they could not fire and are considered legally by the gov't to be "non-guns"... ie: like models. I could have gotten or could get a class III if I wanted to go through the paperwork/hassle but to me it's just not worth it. Basically from what I see once you do that... they own you! And as confused as things have always been with such things you end up paranoid as if you even think or imagine you've done one little thing wrong... they'll be at your door! Not a fun way to live. Plus, if you get into full auto stuff you basically have to have a TON of money. And this doesn't even get into importing such things. That's a WHOLE other ballgame!!!! It's not clear to me in your question if this is still in England or was originally and has since come over here. If it's over here and done the way they do it and it's not been registered... RUN... RUN FAR AND FUN FAST AND DON'T LOOK BACK!!!! My advice... and again I hope others will kick in here and set things straight if I'm wrong about any of this... but if I were you and I wanted an example of a full auto simply seek out and get one of those replica's that are considered to be non-guns. Here's a few quick links: http://www.ima-usa.com/index.php/cPath/4_215 http://www.circlekb.com/page/CKCG/CTGY/20thcenturyreplicas This used to be "Replica Arms" back in the day. Looks like they don't carry the full auto replica's anymore. http://www.navyarms.com/ http://www.iracinc.com/ http://www.dsarms.com/German-FG42-2nd-Mode...ductinfo/FG422/ As you can see these run from "reasonable" to outrageous!!!! Just depends on what you want and how much you'd want to spend. But trust me, it's a whole lot easier and cheaper all the way round to go with such things. You can even find some of the old Replica Arms type stuff (made in Japan I believe) on Ebay from time to time but mostly pistols from what I've seen. Or you can pick up a copy of Shotgun News as again they generally have a ton of "kits" listed which are basically most if not all the parts you need to recreate a particular firearm sans the receiver and full auto sear (as having just those without a Class III FFL is also highly illegal!!!!). You can also get the dummy receivers and have a nice piece when you're done. Or you can buy them already complete. These are often what you see at big gun, militaria and armored vehicle shows mounted on jeeps and other armored military vehicles. Dummy's or made to fire blanks. I'd strongly recommend doing some searches on the web. There are some excellent gun forums with some extremely knowledgeable people who can give you the up to date info and tell you the ins and outs in as much detail as you'd like. But to me... even considering getting a dewat of any type firearms from overseas or one that's already here but not done to the BATF's satisfaction is at least a huge headache and could be more trouble than you've ever asked for in your life. As for me, I'd pass. Hope this helps. Dan :cheers:

All have the earlier style pin clasp. Dan :cheers: