Hauptmann

Pat, if it's anyone of any importance it should say something about him on the back of the card. He looks somewhat familiar but can't be sure at this point. If it comes to mind I'll pop on and let you know but perhaps one of the other members will chime in on this one. Dan

Hi Pat, No problem. Happy to have pitched in a bit. Keep an eye out for the full books... they're on Ebay from time to time and show up in other places as well. Some are rarer than others but speaking from my experience of having the AH volume and the two volume Olympia set they're well worth having complete with all the cards. Dan

Hey, just try to find much less buy some of John Angolia's early books! Methinks the books have been a good investment for some time. Only problem with mine is that I've read them so much and they're so dog eared that they'll not grab the top prices. But I've loved them and devoured them and they've been very entertaining and educational for so many years that I've already gained so much... anything else would be icing on the cake. But I fear I'll be dead and gone before they'll get sold... unless my son Nick decides to jump into all this whole hog. Dan

Hi Paul, Glad to help. Thanks to Rick (was hoping you'd come to the rescue on this one. Mucho thanks Rick! ) it looks like a confirmation of what I'd said with additional info. So Rick, does this indeed strike you as being for Customs or would it be more for their version of the IRS? In any even a very nice piece which will look terrific on display. Dan

Hi Paul, I'm thinking it's a promotion document raising this Beamter from Steueranwarter to Steuerdiatar... not sure what the rank levels are. A Beamter as you probably know is an "official"... in this case like a civil servant. I believe the first rank is "Tax Candidate"... the second is "Tax ?"... can't figure out the second part of the word. Steuer has two meanings I can find depending upon whether it's used in the masculine or feminine... in the masculine it's for steering... as it's used in some German naval rates... Obersteuermann and such. Like a coxswain, etc. But in the feminine it means "tax". Anyhow someone far more knowledgeable will probably jump in and shoot this down but that's the best I can do. Sadly I have a book which gives rank tables for quite a number of TR organizations... but although Customs is shown in one photo and they do have a few paragraphs covering it in brief there was no table of ranks to go with it. Not sure if this is for customs (Zollgrenschutz) as I don't see that mentioned in the document... although that script is murder on the eyes. A few words pop out here and there and the rest I have to strain to figure out. Here's hoping someone a bit more fluent in German takes a look and either confirms or refutes this. In any event I hope it helps. But it is a very neat looking piece and would look fantastic mounted and framed, etc... perhaps with the appropriate insignia if they can be found. Dan

Serial Number closeup: [attachmentid=58943] This is another I'd like to get researched someday. Anyhow please post any you have... would love to see them. Dan

Hi all, Here's my sole Duplicate issue award. I'd love to see others as I really love this area of Soviet collecting and hope to add more over time. Obverse: [attachmentid=58940] Reverse: [attachmentid=58942]

Combat (Obverse): [attachmentid=58937] Combat (Reverse 1): [attachmentid=58938] Combat (Reverse 2): [attachmentid=58939] I hope to get them both researched some day. Dan

Hi all, Here's my contribution to the thread... one each of the Variation 1 Variation 3: Bravery (Obverse): [attachmentid=58934] Bravery (Reverse 1): [attachmentid=58935] Bravery (Reverse 2): [attachmentid=58936]

Hi Doc & Vic, Sadly I only have one... at least for now. It's another one of Jahn but again shows quite clearly his award of the Held der DDR and the HSU: [attachmentid=58083] I'll keep looking but for now that's all I think I have. Would love to see others post DDR HSU recipients if they have them... and also those from other countries. Perhaps a side thread would be the best way of doing this but either way it would be great to have a pictorial record of those non Soviets who were awarded the HSU over the years. Dan

Hi Vic, I couldn't find any for the others so far... but believe I have some in one of my references down in my library. Will have to go down to the bunker a bit later and dig them out. If I do have some more shots I'll post them in a bit. But here's one of Sigmund Jahn in uniform: [attachmentid=58068] And in later years in civies: [attachmentid=58069] Have to run for a bit but will check on more when I get back. Dan

Hi Eduardo, Many thanks! I've got Kim working on the Avatar by the way. Dan

Hi Gordon, Yeah, if both melded their best details together we'd be in trouble as that would be a bit scarier. Thanks for sharing that one. Dan

Hi Gordon, Hey, at least being silver it's got that going for it. And wouldn't look terribly bad in a display... I'd certainly not mind having one. Thanks for posting it. Dan

Hi Eduardo, Sorry bout that... my brain has been steadily melting down all week. Sure hope things start to kick into gear soon. I'm feeling much better on some levels but brain wise is not one of them. Everything seems to overwhelm me and that's not normal for me. Dan

Hi Eduardo, Very nice one! Shows that finial a bit better as well. Many thanks!!!! Dan

Hi Barry, Nice one! Very pleasant design. I like that one. Thanks for posting it. Dan

Hi Eduardo, Many thanks! I especially like the one with Pershing... guessing that's his flag as commanding General. Dan

Hi Barry, Very cool! Hey, any chance of a closer shot of the wings? Great looking group. Many thanks for sharing those. Dan

Hear hear! Torsten, I know we've chatted a bit about such things but I knew many others would be equally curious. This is a fascinating subject. Thanks for asking Paul. Dan

Hi Torsten, Welcome my friend! Allow me to help out and post the pic for you. [attachmentid=57758] It's a great shot. I'm dying to pull out the parade tape this weekend and look for this scene and perhaps find you in a few others. Great to have you as a member and know we will all benefit from your being here. Dan

Hi Barry, Hee hee... yeah, that might be wise! One never knows what those paparazzi might grab hold of. Glad you were able to be on the other end of things during your time in. So do you still have your certificate and such? As for me, I only cruised around in the Gulf of Mexico between Pensacola Florida and Corpus Christi Texas shooting off pilots in training for their carrier take offs and landings. Those poor Ensign's really got a workout I'll tell you. But so did we as we had to learn just about every department on the ship. But it was a blast and an experience I'd not trade for anything in the world. Guessing I'll have to scan some of my pics of that cruise and such one of these days if anyone would be intro'd in seeing them. She's a museum ship down in Corpus Christi now and I hope and pray we're able to go down and spend some time on her. My family has heard these tales for years but I want them to actually see where it all took place and why I fell in love with the old girl. She's a beauty and I'm soooo glad they saved her for posterity. Dan

Hi Barry, Very cool! That's quite a ceremony, getting to meet with King Neptune and his Royal family. Definitely a memory to be treasured for a lifetime. So... did you ever end up on the other end of the stick? Am sure that's so much more fun than the other way around. Dan

Hi Eduardo, Fantastic. Lots more detail. How about the ones in posts # 82, 83, 84, 89, 97 and 99? Those last two in particular would be of great interest. Thanks, Dan

Hi Torsten, Many thanks for the heads up on this one. Very cool! Thanks! Dan