Hauptmann

Nagant Revolver:

Radom:

Walther P38:

Walther PP:

The only thing that comes to mind are some of the NATO Volksmarche and wandering club medals, very common through the 60s and 70s.

Hi Michael,

No, these were definitely military medals. Was told they were Canadian. Did the Canadians award Stars for WWII like the British did? As I believe several looked just like those battle stars... at least those are the ones that stand out in my memory. This would have been around 1972-1973 when I saw them by the way.

Dan

Here's a small French pocket Police pistol I picked up at a small antique shop in Florida many moons ago. Not sure if it's WWI or WWII period or what but thought I'd pop it in:

Luger:

I do have the wood shoulder stock/holster for this along with an ammo pouch I found which goes on the strap and is a perfect match to the rig.

Broomhandle Mauser:

Not sure if any of this is a unit mark... it's located under the barrel:

Hi all,

Been meaning to post thse for a while... so without further ado...

Bolo Mauser:

Nothing military.

Hi Laurence,

Actually I do know they were military. Just have no idea what they were used for. I only wish I'd had the $$'s to buy them all those years ago... might have been something really rare. No idea. Just popped into my head the other night and I thought what better place to try and find out but here.

Dan

A hughe, heavy and well made YU-Order

Dear Dan,

if you are really looking for big & heavy stuff (vertical pin for 100 % !), then look out for the "Order of Yugoslavian People's Army" 3cl or 2cl.

On my scan you can see, how big these two beasts really are in comparison to a "Partisan Star": http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=157108 .

For the gold plated 2nd class it is important to look for a genuine silver example - it's simply heavier .

Among the more common YU-Orders I regard the "People's Army" - beside the "Partisan Star" as the most beautiful and most classic design. Just look at the 3 dudes at center: They really look heavy - specially the guy with the massive hammer .

The golden 2nd class has been confered only 9.137 times and the silver 3rd class 45.384 times. So, these are rather moderate numbers.

Prices & market situation in the USA:

One year ago a 2nd class sold at e-bay for USD 158,-.

Some time ago the great dealer Alexei http://pw1.netcom.com/~merezhko/militaria.html sold a boxed 3rd class for USD 65,- and a boxed 2nd class USD 120,-. These are the scans of the two "People's Army" Alexei sold:

"People's Army" seems to be a little bit rare now .

Maybe contact our "Orden Master" Milan for getting the items for a rather moderate price.

Best regards

Christian

BTW: Igor asks USD 25,- for a Labour-3cl-Mini: http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=3816 .

Hi Christian,

Many thanks for all this great info, and the pics as well. The Peoples Army Orders are definitely on my list as they're some of the ones that I definitely like.

And yes, they sure do look BIG!

Dan

Dear Dan,

great and beautiful piece

... and welcome to the Yugo-community

The ribbon bar(s) are usually in the box. The miniature you have to get extra - they can be "rather" expensive in comparison to the order, but from the right source, you might get it for a few dollars .

I like the design of the the "Orden Rada" 3cl & 2cl: Pure, simple & typical. The 1st class of that order is a little bit "kitsch".

Dan, try to get a "Partisan Star 3cl", as long as they sell for less than USD 100,-, if you look around at the market. An item from Soviet production: Enamel is much better! For me, the "Partisan Star" is the most typical (and most famous) of all YU-Awards

http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=15929

Best regards

Christian

Hi Christian,

Many thanks!!!! Can't wait to see it in person as I've only seen Yugo awards in books and online. Vic says they're very heavy which is one thing that attracted me to trying them out. I like heavy well made awards.

Keeping my fingers crossed that it's complete with the ribbon bars... but if not how hard are they to find separately? I may have a line on a mini but I'll have to see how the $$'s stand right now to see if I can manage it. But sure would be nice to be able to add that to the set.

And I agree... I find the 3rds to be the nicest in this set of Orders with the seconds next in line, although I did see one posted that was about neck n' neck with the 3rd in my eyes. I think it has to do with the quality of the gold plating in the center. And I also find the 1st class to be a bit "over the edge" shall we say. Kitsh was precisely the word I was originally going to use so good to know you feel the same on that one.

Definitely will try to find a nice Partisan Star... I really do like them!

Thanks for the warm welcome and the compliments on the new addition!!!!

Dan

Hi Charles,

That sure is a beautiful Gramota! Yet another great find! You're amazing my friend! I think when you come visit when you're back in the states I'm going to let you take a crack at metal detecting... cause I think with your good fortune re: finding neat goodies you'll hit the motherload!!!!

Dan

Hi Grant,

You're really coming along nicely in all this. Another nice addition for sure. Can't wait till you get some Urkunde sets as those are really nice!

Keep up the great work!

Dan

Now that (!) is a great little bar. Nice catch.

Odd he did not have any Horthy era decorations on it-or are those banned?

Hi Ulsterman,

Many thanks!!!! Not sure... Charles will have to kick in on that when he has time. But I agree it's a great bar!

Oh, if anyone wants to see the back it'll have to wait until either Charles has time to do a scan of it or I get it here and can do it. I know he's busy, busy, busy right now. He also managed to get ahold of one of the retirement boxes and a nearly complete set of the long service medals for me. I have shots of the latter but not the box but hope to post those when they arrive as well.

Again Charles, many thanks my friend... couldn't do it without you!!!!

Dan

Hi Dan ,

Yes this is a Kampfgruppe Bester badge in Gold , i think this is the last issue type , IMO the best ones as they have the design in the flag the others are just plain . Very nice badge

Hi Grant,

Very cool! Wasn't positive it was the gold grade so guess I'm starting on the top run again! And I agree... I like the insignia in the center as it really sets off the design quite nicely. I kinda fell on this one as it's from the same individual I purchased the early cased DDR police medal from along with a set of Soviet sub and ship commander badges. Can't wait till it arrives and I can see them in person.

Many thanks for the additional info on this my friend!

Let me know when you and Vic get together and you get the goodies I shipped over. Can't wait to hear what you think about the disc and the surprise.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi all,

Charles, many thanks for that great explanation!!!! I'm up with the front of the herd again! Believe you me the view is much better up here in the front!

I wanted to pop on a link to my latest acquisition, thanks to Charles (Thank you so much my friend!!!! ) as I felt it might be of interest as it's a medal bar which includes one of the Fire Crosses.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16324

I really love these and hope we continue to learn more about them.

Dan

Hi all,

Many thanks to Charles for this one! (Many thanks my friend!!!! ). I'd mentioned getting some of the more modern Hungarian awards and he knew of this bar and recommended it to me. I liked the description and especially as I don't have any Hungarian medal bars I thought this would be a great start. He was kind enough to go ahead and get it for me and also to allow me to go ahead and post it for the benefit of the rest of our Hungarian collectors.

So without further ado here is a pic and also the results of some research Charles has now done on this wonderful bar:

"The medals on the bar are a late war production Fire Cross W/ Swords dated 1943. The ribbon is a modern replacement. Next to it is the Medal of a Democratic Hungary. I didn't catch the date at first of Dec 21, 1944. This was the day that a provisional government was established in Debrecen (on the eastern portion of the nation) while the 2nd Ukranian front was encircling Budapest. The medal was created in 1992 and awarded to individuals who were in the Hungarian Army on the December day and who were part of a small army that went over to fight the Germans. 4500 individuals were confirmed to be part of this small army (most of them were from two generals who had complied with Horthy's wish on Oct 15th, 1944 to turn and fight the Germans.) Of the 4500 recipients about 1000 were awarded posthumously. Then the last one is the medal given to 6600 people who had proof of revolutionary activities from Oct 23rd, 1956 to November 12th 1956. So - this means this guy (sadly no name to go with it) fought the Red Army in 1943 - 44 in a front line position, then was part of a couple of regiments who then turned on the Germans and fought Fascism, then who in 1956 fought the Russians again."

Great research Charles did on this bar! Again many thanks my friend!!!!

Looks like a terrific piece and I can't wait to see it in person. Hope ya'll like it as much as I do.

Dan

Hi all,

Here's my newest addition to the DDR collection:

Correct me if I'm wrong... a Kampfgrupe Bester badge... not sure if bronze or gold.

Should be shipping out Friday with some other pieces I've ordered... so with luck I'll have it by mid week this coming week. Once here I'll do a couple of scans front and back.

Thanks!

Dan