Hauptmann

Maybe we should just learn Russian and speak only in that language?

Hi Ed,

I mean to me, I've just kinda gotten used to it being any or all of the above. But at first it was very confusing to see each of those called by so many different names. Funny as most seem to have the one name that's used all the time and no problem. It's just these two... well and perhaps the Service to the Motherland/Fatherland, etc. Have seen that one several ways but all pretty much the same thing for all intents and purposes.

Just didn't know if there was now a more accepted standard on the names. As again, especially for newer collectors I'm sure it can get their heads spinning after a time. And it is something I've wondered about for some time so glad it came up.

Dan

Hi all,

Just wanted to thank you all... Rick, Doc and Ed for getting back with me on this so fast. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's a bit wonky. It's currently at $19 with $1 shipping out of Central Pennsylvania with just over 2 days to go. I'll be happy to provide the link if anyone is intro'd or you can do a search on Ebay for Soviet Medal for Combat Service.

I think I'd tend to agree that it's been messed with at some point and pass on it. If I'd seen it as a flat out buy for $10 or less I might have considered it. I don't think the medal itself is a fake... don't think they're that desperate yet... but definitely doesn't look totally correct either.

Mucho thanks Gentlemen.

Dan

Yes it is VERY odd. So is the finish. I'm glad you can see a serial number on there, because I can't.

BTW, wash outchu mout wit soap, calling the Military Merit Medal "Combat."

Hi Rick,

I agree... just struck me as very odd... and I was tempted to mention the finish as strange as well but felt I'd leave it and see if others picked up on it as well.

On the naming... I've seen these as the MMM as well as the Combat medal and it's counterpart shall we say called both Valor medal and Bravery medal.

So, which are correct on these and why the different to start with? Differences in translation?

On The Soviet Military Awards Page they're called: For Bravery and For Combat Service. Same in the Red Bible.

I have several other basic refs which name them as follows:

Orders and Medals of the USSR (Moscow 1994) - Medal for Valor / Medal for Combat Service.

CCCP 1917-1991 Orders and Medals (Russian Connections 1994) - Same as above.

Orders and Medals of the Soviet Union (Byrne 1984) Medal for Valour / Medal for Battle Distinctions (for Battle Merits)

and last but not least:

Russian and Soviet Military Awards (V.A. Durov 1990) - Medal for Gallantry / Medal for Military Merit.

So needless to say it's rather confusing on these two at times.

So what are the definitive names of these two medals?

Thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

Just saw this one and I've got to say I don't ever remember seeing a ring like this. I've checked the Red and Green bibles as well as The Soviet Military Awards Page and can't find one like it. Manufacturers variation? Replaced ring? Any thoughts?

The number is 420522. Pics are the sellers. Guaranteed forever... so guess that's good.

Dan

Hi Charles,

Indeed, another gorgeous set! You sure do have the luck in finding all these great and unusual pieces. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see them all in person some day.

Dan

Thanks for the welcome Dan . . . I've been here since 2005 . . . haven't posted much but I've read alot. I've got several friends here who have some serious collections by comparison. Thanks again for the nice words about my St. Savas. Here are a few of my favorite enamel crosses. European craftsmanship at its finest, don't you agree?

Oh definitely! Works of art from craftsmen long gone.

Dan

Hi all,

I did actually start out a few years before the wall fell... but not with awards. At a small gun dealer in Florida I found several pieces I was interested in. One is the Type 14 Nambu I still have... another was one of the WWII British Enfield revolvers and the third was a Nagant Soviet officers pistol dated 1939. The Nambu was $300 and I grabbed that quick. The Brit was $250 and the Soviet $200... I picked the Nagant. And although I love it I wish I'd gone the extra $50 and gotten the Brit. Later, when the Nagant's were going for like $40 to $50 with all their accessories, holsters, etc. I was a bit depressed. But then I'd go and spend some time with it and remember how much I love it and all was right with the world again.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7987&hl=nagant

I started into awards and uniforms and such right after the wall fell. I'd seen a few things in books over the years and had always had an intense interest in learning more about Soviet militaria... just not much out there at the time. Still not nearly enough in English.

My first piece was one (I believe... I'd know it if I saw it down in the bunker... but too relaxed to go down right now) of the anniversary of Victory medals with document... and a few of the small collector pins which were really cheap. I think I got the medal and doc for like $15 or thereabouts so don't think I did too terribly bad. This was literally when stuff first started hitting the market. The same dealer had a Red Star on consignment. I fell in love... that beautiful red enamel... but at a $350 price tag (and don't think I didn't seriously contemplate it) I finally just had to pass it up. Needless to say I'm so glad I did! Of course knowing my luck it had a really good serial number or was one of the rare types or something, but in those days SN's didn't even enter into it.

I also managed to get an Air Force tunic and a naval greatcoat, a few caps and such. I did make another mistake in that I had a choice in helmets between one of the early Soviet helmets with the flared edges and such or a DDR helmet. I picked the DDR. Again you can still get those for dirt whereas the early Soviet ones are really up there.

Had a friend who called me literally right after the wall fell. He asked me if I was still into that "military stuff". Turns out he'd been there at the time and said the guards and troops would give you just about anything for packs of cigs and such. Said he could have gotten me tons of stuff. But of course he'd gotten a few things for himself, mostly hat badges and small pins... no awards I'm sorry to say, but he did get a nice pocket watch. But he calls me after he's back out of that section of Europe and can't get more. Like, why torture me like that... at the time I could have sent him enough money to buy a gazillion packs of cigs and he could have brought me back a gazillion goodies! Arrrrrrrrrrgh! Sigh. Ya win some and ya lose some I guess.

But I totally agree with Chris that had I known then what I know now I'd have sold off just about every bit of TR I had and bought all the good Soviet stuff I could get my hands on and then some! Oh those were the days!

Dan

Another

Order of Victory

Hi Vic,

Love both your shots/layouts. But the red set really stands out! Has that candie apple red color I really love like they used in Hungarian communist period awards. Beautiful!!!!

Would love to see more. Oh, and from the first set you know my favorite!!!! Just gotta get a real Nevsky one of these days. Oh how I wish I'd gone ahead with that trade for one for my Blockade Runners set when I had a chance. They're just great pieces with a ton of history.

Dan

Any Serbian St. Sava collectors out there?

Hi... welcome to the club! Some gorgeous pieces there! I actually hope to get one for my friend in Florida (and a fellow member) and myself as we're big movie fans and one of these was used in the John Wayne movie The Searchers. For ages he didn't know what it was... he showed me the movie and then I popped it on here and the rest of the members made quick work of it.

Great collection there. Hope there are some others out there with more examples they'd be willing to share. Definitely a beautiful Order. Thanks for showing them.

Dan

Membership Badge (and Miniature) of the Socialist Brigade:

And a shot of both of these cased sets to show the covers with the dots in each corner:

Again Charles, many thanks for these. My collection would still be sitting a two or three pieces without your help. I hope to be able to dive into the deep end of the pool in the next few months (knock on wood) but I'm so grateful to you for keeping things going and inspiring me to continue in this great area of collecting.

God bless you my friend.

Dan

Excellent Workers Badge cased with miniature:

Kivalo Munkaert (Excelent Job / Work) Medal... cased, but I'll have to do pics of it in the case later:

The case is the red plastic style and very nice!

Hi all,

Here are the latest additions to my small but growing Hungarian collection... with a HUGE THANKS to Charles for these wonderful gifts. Thank you my friend! You're the Greatest!!!!

I've attempted to ID these and hope I did okay. Waiting to hear back from Charles for final confirmation... so without further ado... here goes:

Service to the Fatherland Medal in silver:

I have found these two:

Ehrentitel "Verdienter Mitarbeiter der Staatssicherheit" (conferred to Stasi members)

Ehrentitel "Verdienter Volkspolizist"

These were actually honorary titles with a medal accompanying them.

Now there is the full set!

Note please that in all the ribbons the left band covers the right one, which was characteristic of the medals for the police, customs and other uniformed non-military services. Ribbons of the medals for the military were mirrored, ie with the right band covering the left.

Hi Lukasz,

Wow, this is terrific... just what we needed. Thanks so much for posting all these! I actually feel like I have a reference to go by on these now and can plan out the hunt much better now than I could before.

I'd never seen those last two... and I have an awful feeling they're pricey to say the least... if not downright unobtainable. Again in all these years of searching Ebay, other auctions, dealers lists, forum sales boards... I've not seen so much as one. But thankfully for the most part the rest seem fairly easy to obtain.

I really love the Verdienter Volkspolizist... beautiful!!!!

And I didn't know that about the ribbons... another very important piece of info. Again thanks so much!!

Dan

Hi all,

I hope it's okay to post this here but felt it might be of interest to someone in this section:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORDER-MEDAL-STORAGE-CA...tem250076374732

Note the manufacturers info, etc. on the satin lining inside of the lid.

Would be a shame if this was just reused as a general display case or worse yet reworked as same. Hoping someone can get it and preserve it as is and use it for what it was intended for.

Dan

Well, I checked with the man. The left tab could be cleaned up a bit, but the right one is beyond hope it seems. Poor guys

Hi Nack,

Kinda what I expected. There are miracles and then there are MIRACLES. I agree, a shame. I'm just thankful they weren't rare. Of course had they been I'd have never had my mom even try. Not sure if it's worth it to just get the one done. I guess if nothing else they can serve as an example of what happens when the moths get to them and when a non-professional attempts a restoration. If it saves a good pair then it's worth it.

Many thanks for checking. I deeply appreciate that.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Dan

Glad you like it Dan

If i ever want to sell the set I will let you know

Vic

Hi Vic,

Many thanks for that my friend... but hoping to see your collection grow to immense proportions and hoping you'll keep it all. Of course, extras would definitely be appreciated.

Dan

An aside, which I hope may be of help. We have designed a medal cabinet, made in mahogony, with individual shelves. This alows the medals to be viewed and preserves them. The normal display case can allso be stored on the tray. If anyone is interested I would be pleased to give details.

Hi WL,

Would definitely love to see and get more details if you'd like to post them. I'm sure everyone would agree we're always looking for new and better ways to display our treasures.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Soviet,

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. That's a great piece and yes, it does seem totally authentic. Here's the post on my copy which includes pics of an original. You'll see the same attachment points on the back as you have on yours.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7682

You'll also see some examples I posted on how they were originally mounted on the border poles, etc.

Definitely a great piece. Wish mine was an original but for what I paid I don't think you could get an original unless you got extremely lucky. Definitely a great centerpiece to any DDR collection. And the Soviets had similar plaques on their border posts.

Thanks for sharing your's. Always love seeing more examples.

Dan

Costume jewelry, unfortunately. Several companies in the 1950s and '60s made award style jewelry, often mixing and matching parts to come up with something "new". You'll see DIs included in many of the designs, but often with odd colors.

Hi Jeff,

Many, many thanks for your ID'ing it so fast. I'll pass this along. I'm sure she'll be glad to at least know for sure. A shame it didn't turn out to be something better but still a nice looking piece and something from her mom so that makes all the difference.

Thanks again!

Dan

Hi all,

Boy things are moving around! I'm feel I'm on the verge of getting lost. Anyhow, I'm hoping this is the right place for this but if not please feel free to move it to a more appropriate section.

A friend of ours requested I try to find out about this "Order". Her mom just passed away a few weeks ago and she found it in her possessions. She did these pics, and I have to apologize that they are not better quality/resolution. I did request more but so far I haven't received any. Am happy to keep trying. She's in Pennsylvania so nowhere near me in order for me to do better ones.

Anyhow here are the pics, followed by the story in her own words:

While going through some of my mom's huge jewelry collection I came across something I had forgotten. She had a huge brooch that also had a chain that looked like a medal. I asked her about it once and she told me that when she'd worked in DC after she graduated from college (she met Dad in a USO canteen in DC during Korea(, she had briefly dated a guy who worked at an embassy -- she didn't remember which country any more -- and he'd given it to her, claiming it was real... but a real WHAT she never knew.

Perhaps you can find out something about it?

Looks like bronze, a good 3 1/2 to 4 inches measured widest points to widest points. three eight-pointed starbursts (one superimposed on top of the other in a stack) made up of rays. In middle of smallest starburst (very center of whole thing) is an enamelled shield. I can't make out the small gold-color enamellings, but basically the shield is red and dark blue quarters (upper left and lower right, facing, are red), with a white X cross over them. The X is made of crossed double lines of white with a gold divider line between the white lines. The crest on top of the shield is a knight's visor with weapons around it. Whole shield is no more than 1/2 inch diameter.

I know you're interested in medals. If you can track anything about it, perhaps with web photo so I can verify if it's correct, I'd love to know what this is, if it's real.

Anyhow I'm hoping one of our members might recognize this and be able to tell us a bit more about it... ie: if it is indeed an Order or something else. It looks very well made and "looks" like a breast star but one that has been converted to be hung like a piece of jewelry. Very difficult to tell from these photos I know.

Will be keeping my fingers crossed and many thanks in advance for any help on this.

Dan

Hi Dan

Well its here and placed with family on this thred

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1404...mp;#entry142084

Vic

Hi Vic,

Just saw them and they're terrific! Beautiful set! I'm so happy you've got the whole family together. Now on to bigger and better sets!

Dan

Just arrived this morning, the Bronze Order for Merit for the Nation and Fatherland

I would like to thank Dan for his contribution in finding this for me

Hi Vic,

I'm very pleased I could help out. Always love seeing another set completed. Plenty more left to work on though so we'll keep forging ahead. One of these days I may need your help to find a set of these too.

Hope the arrival helped you feel a bit better. Hang in there... before you know it you'll be right as rain and ready to take on the world. For now though just work on some R&R and feeling better.

Enjoy the new goodies my friend!

Dan

I have a color copy for the paper ribbons issued if that might help?

Hi Kirk,

Sure would. Would deeply appreciate the help. Are they named so we'll know what's for what? That would be a huge help.

Mucho thanks!

Dan

Hi Richard,

Welcome to the club! Great pieces... I especially love the obverse design. There's alot going on there but it doesn't come across as cluttered. Very nice! How hard would it be to find one of these? And in what kind of range if you don't mind me asking? This would definitely be one I'd love to add to the pile one of these days.

Dan