Hauptmann

Tractor Driver? Dan :cheers:

How about a Combine? Dan :cheers:

Hi all, I'll give it a shot. Not sure what "Tractor" is in Russian but that would be my guess to part one. Part two I'd say: The League of the Militant Godless The League of the Militant Godless was founded in 1925 as part of the Soviet authorities? attack on religion. At its height in 1932 it had about five million members, before it was eventually disbanded in 1942. Originally its activities included vandalism and the destruction of church property, like smashing church windows and desecrating cemeteries, done more out of its members? hatred for religion rather than any attempt to spread atheism. Over time it became more sophisticated in its approach, organising meetings in the villages to promote its atheist message. It also organised anti-religious lectures, and published anti-religious books, magazines and journals. These included works of popular science written to show how science had disproved religion. These included quizzes, which presented the approved answers to criticism of Communism as well as attacking religion. Dan :cheers:

Many thanks for any info/help. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, I'm hoping one of our members might be able to give me some info (I was told this was an early AK47 bayonet) on this and roughly what it would be worth. I have a local collector who seems interested but neither of us know how to value it. There is no scabberd... never had one for it.

Hi all, Don't know if anyone has posted this before but I just found it and found it fascinating. Thought ya'll might enjoy it too. http://kalashnikov-weapons-museum.ak47-guide.com/ Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Here's my latest addition to my "train collection"... other than my train/subway medal posted here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7389&hl=subway Photos courtesy of collectrussia.com and used with their kind permission. Hoping I'll be able to add more to the collection at some point. Oh, and yes, the nut is incorrect. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, My second addition to this thread: Photos courtesy of collectrussia.com and used with their kind permission. And yes... the nut is not correct. Dan :cheers:

Hi Jacques, That's AWESOME!!!! Are there any other pics of him or any additional info? What is the book/author you got it from as I'd love to find a copy. So terrific to be able to put the face with the item. Hoping to perhaps find some pics of him in his later West German uniform, perhaps wearing the same ribbon bar as that would be the ultimate best of the best... at least to me. Thank you SOOOOOOO much! I deeply appreciate all your help!!!! I definitely owe you one! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Sold for $207.32. I hope whoever got it will get it researched. Dan :cheers:

It's a military school badge for an academy graduating Lieutenants (1957 to 1961). http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=4050...hl=school+badge Dan :cheers:

Hi Jacques, If you could find that (or any other pics or info) and post it that would be FANTASTIC!!!! I just received the bar today and it's even better than in the pics. Can't wait to see and learn more about him. Many thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi David, WELL DONE! She's a beaut!!!! Is she cased? If not... does anyone have cased examples? Are the cases like the originals as they were always a good size and made a great display. Congratulations!!!! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Just received mine... and I'm very impressed! Case is even bigger than a cased German Cross which is saying alot. Very nicely made case with a nice brass clasp on the front, well padded and the medallion is nicely toned and looks great sitting in there. I just LOVE cased awards! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, I just heard from Ed and he's declining this time around. Too many irons in the fire right now. And I still can't come up with anything decent. Marc (Lapa)... would you care for the honor of the next question? Dan :cheers:

And I nearly forgot... I've never heard Maryland referred to as a "District"... only Washington, and I lived in Maryland from the time I was three till I was ten, have been back numerous times, have relatives there, etc. Has anyone else ever heard Maryland referred to this way? Dan :cheers:

Okay... if this is one of the side benefits of drinking beer I think I may start doing it more often. Great finds! Thanks for sharing. Dan :cheers:

Hi Alex, Sounds good. Soon as I receive the pic I'll get to work. Dan

Hi Jeff, Actually not sure. Hoping Charles will pop on and comment. He had actually seen this bar when he was still over in Hungary and yet had already made some purchases and decided to pass on this one so it wouldn't put him over the top. But he likes it and gave it his blessings. Also once I have it in hand (probably a couple of weeks I'd guess although hoping sooner) I'll do up some nice scans to show more detail. Anyhow I'll leave it up to Charles (or perhaps Gordon) to pop on and tell us more. Thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi Marc, Actually no idea on this. It's the only state prize I've ever gotten... and won't have it in hand for a bit as it's coming from the Ukraine. I figure at least a couple of weeks or so. I'm still waiting on the doc sets from over there but hoping they'll be here in the next day or so. I'll ask Roman if he knows. Perhaps it was a repair. Even though it's unissued it's certainly been some time since it was made. Quite possible it was damaged and the ring came off. I wouldn't think that would be that unusual. Thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi Alex, Hey, I like those others you found! Great job!!!! On the one I posted I'll be happy to do a better scan. Let me know how you need it set up and I'll do my best as soon as it arrives. I just saw my mail lady and there's nothing in for me today. Hoping soon though. Have several packages coming in including this one. Thanks!!!! Dan

Hi all, Alex, I hope you don't mind me posting this one here... but thought you might want to play with it a bit. It's one I just picked up and hoping it arrives in the next few days. Not from the period but it's from the 1959 film "The Young Lions". A young Marlon Brando... but in the uniform and that pose I simply couldn't resist! Have fun! Dan

Hi all, My newest bar... just won on Ebay two days ago: Photos are the sellers (ladihun on Ebay). Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Just got this one when no one else bid: 953493 Photos used with the kind permission of the seller alexruscan (Ebay). Many thanks Alex!!!! Dan :cheers:

Additional pics of the award are in the linked thread. Just couldn't resist bringing the set and this medal together... I only wish it was the numbered match. That and I also wish/hope that some day I might be able to get a picture of Mrs. Kirpichenko to complete the set. If any of our members goes to the Ukraine and could see if that wall of photos is still there and perhaps get a photo of her picture I'd be very grateful. Dan :cheers: