Hauptmann

The Capture Of Campaign Medals

I still need the Capture of Budapest.

The Capture of Koenigsberg:

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The Defense of the Soviet Polar Regions:

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The Defense of the Caucasus:

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The Defense of Kiev:

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The Defense of Moscow:

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The Defense of Stalingrad:

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This one I have absolutely no doubts about as I got it from Dave who was selling it for a friend. So it's got the seal of approval on it already.

The Defense of Sevastopol:

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This is the second of the ones I have with the thick gold wash.

The Defense of Odessa:

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This is one of three that I have with a thick gold wash and I'm wondering if these "might" be the Variation 2 medals mentioned in the red bible for later issue to those who should have received them earlier but didn't.

I figure it's either that or they're copies. Anyhow that's the first of that type.

Hi all,

Okay, be gentle... as I "think" at least a few of these may be copies. Not to worry though as I got them for less than dirt so other than putting me back a bit time wise in order to get originals I won't be crushed or anything.

And of course if you need to see anything specific I've not shown you have but to ask and I'll try my best to get a scan of whatever you need to see.

Well, with no further ado... on with the show.

The Defense Of Campaign Medals

The Defense Of Leningrad:

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Hi Kevin,

Again WOW! Great collection. Be fantastic once you have it all out on display. Are those DDR armored binocs I spy? Have wanted a set of those forever. I managed to get a set of USMC armored binocs when we were in California about a year and a half ago and I love them. But the DDR ones always seem to go for mucho... too much for now but hopefully down the road as I'd dearly love a set of those, a set of Soviet's and a pair of U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships marked.

Great job on those documented ones you have... I definitely would love a Banner der Arbeit documented... if not a full set with the Urkunden. It's one of my favorite DDR Orders... well the affordable ones that is. Those and the Grim Reaper Order.

Again fantastic collection! Definitely post pics when everything is out on display.

Dan

Does any body know any thing about this medal, it says FURAUSGEZEICHNETE LEISTUNGEN, now bable fich translates the last word as Achivements, but cant seem to translate the rest, if any one can help I would be appriciated

Thanks in addvance

Order of Victory

Hi Vic,

Yes, it's a polizei outstanding or excellent achievement medal. Basically FUR AUSGEZEICHNETE LEISTUNGEN means For Outstanding Achievement. There's a whole series of police medals that you can get and they're all fairly cheap. That Grim Reaper Order is the highest in the series.

Dan

Hi Kevin,

OUTSTANDING! So... that's where all those early qualification badges ended up! No wonder I can never find any!

How I'd love to go to a garage sale sometime and ask... do you happen to have any military stuff and have them show me a pile like this... all for say $50! I'd die on the spot and go right to heaven! I could dig around in those boxes and bags forever.

And I totally agree with Doc... it's time to come out of the boxes. Will make some beautiful displays.

Once you get them set up in Riker's would love to see some more shots. Like some of the bagged items.

Also, is that a documented award with a photo of the presentation? That's another dream... not only to get something with a photo of the original recipient wearing one or more of the awards in a set I now own but to have a photo(s) of the original presentation. I think it's more likely to happen in a German set and since I've pretty much gotten out of TR it would have to be either West German or more likely DDR.

That one's an absolute treasure in my eyes. You've "GOT" to do up a display with that set!

Kevin... thanks so much for sharing all these goodies. Definitely want to see more of it all as you get it out and ready for display.

Dan

Scott,

That is a beautiful example. I have not seen that pattern before, either. NICE

I have only seen one camo example. I hope you find another.

I will take some photos of my others tonight. My favorite is a nice bullion droop tail from an NCO Tuchrock.

Regards

Paul

Hi Paul,

Figures! I "KNEW" I should have hung onto it. Was the only one I'd ever seen and I let it go. I'm an idiot!

In fact I just did a search and could not even find a picture of one. And the one I had was beautiful... stone cold mint condition and one of the most beautiful luft eagles I'd ever seen. I think it was even a droop tail but been so long I can't remember that for sure. Just a great piece. Arrrrgh!

Nuts!

Dan

Here'a an ugly duckling

KR

Peter

I don't know... I rather like it.

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the suggestions I acctuly thought I spoted a order of Grim Reaper on Ebay the other day

When I get the Order of Karl MArx and HSU I will also buy flight ticket for you

Order of Victory

Hi Vic,

PM sent by the way re the Reaper. And I'd love to come see the new additions as soon as you manage to find and grab them at a good price.

Dan

Great DDR collection Dan! Vic, now is the time to get into East German collecting when the prices are relatively low and the repros are mostly restricted to the high end medals and orders. The best place for variety, older items and price is Ebay.de, but shipping does get a bit expensive on larger items

Here are a few of my NVA badges. If anyone is interested in seeing more of my collection I'll start a new thread as we have gotten a bit off topic on this one. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Many thanks! And you also have a great looking group of sets there... definitely, if you have more I know I for one would LOVE to see it all!

And yes Vic, I definitely agree. Prices have been pretty steady on most DDR militaria for quite some time but a few have gone up... as Kevin said mostly the higher end pieces. But even some of those are still well within the range of affordability for most folks.

You can put together amazing collections of this stuff with relatively little investment.

Dan

I know that this type was used on trains. I'm not sure about yours. The seller told me they were used on trains, but I don't thnik so. Yours is different than the one I could buy in Moscow. It looks like the hammer and the other tool (what is the name in english) is in 2 parts. The oldest version is in one piece.

I believe the word you're looking for is wrench. Beautiful pieces, one and all . They make me truly regret not buying one when I had the chance. But hopefully another one will turn up at a good price. I totally agree with Vic... if you've got them or got pictures of them... flaunt them! j

Dan

Here's the case which is marked Bench or Dench & Sons London 1916 and also has the broad arrow mark.

Just realised this is the US forum so slightly off topic although, I'm sure the US would have used the British compasses in 1918.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Nice case! On the mark... I think I've heard of a Dench & Sons London somewhere along the line so perhaps that is it.

And of course we used British equipment, they used ours... same in both wars. And as they are both basically identical I feel that perhaps it's really not off topic. Gives a good comparison between two nearly identical items used by different allied nations. And to me that's educational... and I'm fairly sure the others would agree.

Many thanks for sharing it.

Dan

Other than biographical research on individuals, driven by having the document, I don't see where one could go.

Hi Ed,

So research based just on the number is not possible? I got this from Alexander Filer over at Soviet Screwbacks.com. He made a comment in one of his emails to me which made me think it might be possible to do it based solely on the number.

It's not a biggie one way or the other... just would have been a nice little dollop cream on top of it all.

Mucho thanks!

Dan

Wow! Nice one Vic! I remember seeing those in the Sovietski catalog and a few other places. Was very tempted. I keep hoping one will come up on Ebay and that by the grace of God I might actually luck out and get for dirt cheap.

Hey... I can dream can't I?

Dan

Hi all,

Don't suppose anyone has any camo examples? I had one and let it go many moons ago. Didn't want to and really wish I'd kept it.

Was a beautiful piece and I haven't seen too many pop up since. And best thing was... it was stone cold mint!

So come on folks... dig some out and let me see, although I'll just start kicking myself harder for letting mine slip away.

Thanks,

Dan

Dan,

Here's my one, a British Vernier's pattern VIII dated 1917 without any name scratched on it. It looks exactly the same as the US pattern.

The case to my one (can't find it at the moment) is very different to the US case.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Beautiful piece! I especially love how the base material on yours stayed red where mine got dark. Would love to see the case if you manage to find it.

Also, what does the FL stand for on the back of yours?

Thanks so much for sharing this!

Dan

Hi all,

I'm waiting for the absolute final confirmation, but looks like I've not only won the second of those Umalatova OGPW... but I should have four more coming to me as well... so I'll have a total of six when all is said and done.

I hope to have pics of those other four very soon. Am hoping there will be more variations. Really love these things. Once I have them all I'll have thirteen OGPW total. Never thought I'd have that many. Now I just can't get enough of them. Sure hope one day I can get the early hanging types as I really like those... but at the very least more type 2's would be terrific. Great awards.

Dan

Dan,

Wonderfull collection of DDR awards

I was surrprised there does not seem to be that much on ebay for this stuff

Ok I need a find a Order of Karl Marx now (As well as a HSU), my bank manager is going to love me

Order of Victory

Hi Vic,

Hey, if you can afford to get those then you need to fly me out to see them in person once you have them!

Seriously, they are really beautiful pieces... at least in my humble opinion. But I fear I'll never own any of them. They shot up into the heavens and are well beyond my reach. But I do love them from afar and wouldn't mind decent copies one of these days if nothing else.

Thanks so much for the kind words re: my DDR collection. Actually I also have a few uniforms, caps and field gear I've yet to post. But as far as awards that's the bulk of it. Of course, donations are always gleefully accepted!

Try for a set of the Banner der Arbeit if you don't mind the suggestion. They're really nice pieces. Also the highest police Order... nicknamed the Order of the Grim Reaper for obvious reasons. they're really quite nice and not much at all if you bide your time and keep an eye out on Ebay.

And you're lucky actually... from what I've seen there's literally a gazillion tons of inexpensive DDR stuff in England. Whereas on Ebay the listings I tend to see here are same old, same old... all the common stuff I've already seen a million times.

Here's hoping that before long your collection will be filled with many quality items we can all drool over.

Dan

Dan,

My apologies. I did not know everything in the box was identifiable as WW1, that is why I stated maybe WW2. The fact is if it was made in Metz, say for the sake of arguement, pre '45. It would have had to be made 1914-1919 or 1940-1945. I do not see much of a need for a WW1 pilot (who by 1940 would most likely be of staff officer rank or higher) to have a need for something like this during WW2. to be continued.

Hi Dan,

Hey, no apologies necessary. Just happy this thing is finally getting some air time so to speak. If anyone should apologize it's me... for not making the connection between the award packet address and that match book. In all these years it's never hit me until today. Just never put that much significance on it. But all it takes is one small key to open a big lock and hence a large door.

What you say makes perfect sense to me so far and I totally agree. I'd see little reason for an elderly WWI pilot in a staff or higher position to wear one of these. Again to me all signs still point to it being a WWI period piece. Not that I'm closing any doors but it just seems logical given all the evidence I currently have.

Oh if only a picture would show up. What I wouldn't give short of my soul to see a shot of a WWI pilot wearing this during the war. It would make several of my years believe me as this has been a mystery for a long time, with only Judge Crater, Amelia Earhart, Flight 19 and Jimmy Hoffa winning a higher place on the food chain for me.

I'll continue to stay tuned to this bat channel for further developments.

Many thanks,

Dan