Hauptmann

And the WWI Gold:

These Imperial wounds have a bit of a story behind them. My mom and dad were looking to purchase a farmstead up near us in North Florida many moons ago. The realtor that was showing them their property happened to want a black powder rifle to hang on his wall... he already had several. I happened to have purchased one with a ton of accessories for $90. He expressed an interest in the rifle but had no interest in the accessories.

He said he had a possible trade that might interest me. It was a box, about the size of a shoebox that he'd found in the attic of an old house that he'd bought to restore and sell. It was filled with WWI militaria... several full and partial sets of German wound badges, some U.S. and British flight related material, a couple of French railway tickets, some German and I believe Serbian matchbooks (complete with matches) and some razor blades. The prize of the lot in my eyes was a WWI German pilots badge "in cloth"! With "original packet"!

He decided to keep one set of the wound badges to keep on a bookshelf in his office and the rest went in trade to me for the rifle. Needless to say I was ecstatic!

I sold off most of the wounds as well as the U.S. and British aviation material but I kept the pilots badge with packet and the wounds... pick of the lot of course... as well as the railway tickets, razors, matchbooks, etc. And I still have it all to this day.

I think I did okay on that one.

The WWI Silver:

And now the WWI Black:

Here's a naval. Sad that they didn't continue to issue something similar in WWII. And again, some day I'll have to add the silver and gold. It seems kinda lonely at times along with the black cutout.

Hi all,

Been holding off on this one as #1 there's alot of pics; #2 been waiting for a sunny day in order to do some good pics of the group as I'd forgotten to add a couple of them the first time I took them.

First off, the "family" pic, and then one by one, front and back.

The cutout in black:

As soon as I discovered them I just "had" to have one. They are strangely appealing... some day I'll have to get the silver and gold to finish the set.

Whooooa .. now you're talking .... is all that loot yours Dan??

Hi Darrell,

I sure do hope so... otherwise I'm in biiiiiig trouble!

Thanks!

Dan

Thanks for looking.

Dan

Hi all,

Here is my Afrika Korps cuff title as well as my German/Italian Afrika medal plus a little group of items I popped in with my Afrika Korps pith helmet.

Also if anyone has any info on these... or could tell me the military designation of these... the types of units they would have been issued to... basically anything at all I'd love to hear from you.

And I guess another accessory I'd love to get for these is any original paperwork, like a manual, although I'm not even sure that would be possible at this point.

Thanks for looking.

Dan

Only things that seem to be missing are:

The covers for the big lenses.

The case.

And a small screw in "medallion" marked USMC that goes into the screw hole you'll see in the following photos in the center portion of the binocs.

If, my chance, anyone knows where I might by chance find or obtain any or all of these items for a modest sum, please let me know as I'd love to complete them at some point.

Hi all,

I'd needed a new set of binocs for quite some time and wanted something built to last. Also wanted something that fit in with my militaria collection. My dream binocs would be a set of the huge Japanese ship binocs, an "Afrika Korps" set, a Kreigsmarine set and a good pair of U.S. Navy binocs... ideally that were issued and used on the U.S.S. Lexington during her years as a training carrier. I took a cruise on her and absolutely fell in love. Got to use a set as a lookout as part of our training on that cruise... oh the temptation to "walk away with them" was soooooo strong! But I don't do those things.

Well, on our trip October before last to buy out house here in ND, Kim and I then went out to California to visit with my mom. While in Oakland we visited an out of the way, hard to find militaria shop and found this pair of USMC binocs complete with recticle. And they are in perfect working condition... in fact we used them quite often on the rest of our trip and have continued to do so since. I've even taken beautiful photos through them. And all for the Princely sum of $50!

Hi all,

This is a bit late in getting here but had to put it in. Not a nice, perfect, parade ground example of the dress bayo but obviously one that's seen some action. And to me, one of the best parts, (other than my uncle bringing it back) as I'm also a non-military (as well as military) blade collector... it's a PUMA!

Thanks for looking.

Dan

Hi all,

A couple of pics as I couldn't resist joining in on this one.

And I hope no one minds but had to sneak in something Japanese... no cross but hope it's okay.

I actually meant this one to go under Artistic Crosses but guess I messed up. Of course if "someone" can move it...

Thanks for looking.

Dan

Hi Greg,

Many thanks for the compliments to my "precious". And also for the additional confirmation on the value. I deeply appreciate both.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi all,

Well, I just got a pleasant surprise to come out of my original attempt (now laid aside) to reconstruct these medal bars.

I'd ordered all the common medals that I did not already have for like $3.50 each. And yes, that was after watching Ebay for several weeks hoping for some without their ribbon mounts,etc. Only ones like that I saw were in the Ukraine and I'm still a bit skittish about ordering from over there unless it's someone highly recommended to me by those I trust.

Anyhow there was a mixup in the order and instead of sending me the 40 years Soviet armed forces I got two 30 years anniversary GPW. When I realized the mistake I informed the dealer who offered an immediate and full refund including the shipping or the same amount as credit on any of his other stock I was intro'd in.

And I've dealt with him before so knew this would be the case.

Well, was getting ready to pack them up and take them over to the post office today when I actually took a good look at them. Turns out I'd "forgotten" this was one that has different varieties. Three types I know of according to Byrne's Soviet medals book... one for military, one for civil and one for foreigner's. I checked the one I already had and sure enough it's a military issue.

However, from the two I received in the shipment one was military and one civil!

Needless to say I'm thrilled and have written and said I've decided to keep one and send the other back. And I've no idea if this is a harder to find piece or more valuable or what but either way I could not be happier!

So now I have two of the three types on that one as well as two of the three on the Lenin Centennial medal. Now all I need are the foreign awards as well as the several types of the long service medals set... along with the umpteen others I need to finish out the entire set. More mountains to climb... but hey, I like climbing!

Oh, I'll be happy to do up pics if anyone would like to see but didn't know if there's be enough interest.

Anyhow just wanted to share my good news! So I feel like this was not in vain or a total disaster after all.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi all,

Hope it's okay to pop this one in here. I missed getting this photo off Ebay a while back but just had to save it as this HSU looks just like a close friend of mine.

I'm curious to know if anyone out there might have an idea who this is? I'm assuming he's a Sergeant of some sort by the shoulder boards he's wearing.

Anyhow I know our experts in this field will probably be able to tell quite a bit more from the photo than I could. Sadly, as far as I know there was nothing written on the back of the photo... just the picture itself.

If by chance anyone can ID this gent and give any information on him, how he received his awards, etc. I'd love to hear about it.

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi Dan, Now your talking

Hi Darrell,

Ahhh, my friend! You make references almost unnecessary! Thanks so much for the info. I mean, literally, other than some basic references to know which is which I don't have anything detailed. These are ones I got in trades... other than the Oct. Rev... I "think" I got that from Alexei... all many many moons ago (no, not quite twenty years for a change. ) so don't even remember what I've got in them and no earthly idea on values for them now.

I did have a couple more of the labor orders and now regret having let them go. Then they were still common and cheap... but hoping to pick up a few more before things go any higher.

Gotta run, work is piling up. But very much appreciate the info on these. I simply cannot wait to get my McDaniel... but probably have to work out selling that SA buckle to do that.

Thanks,

Dan

Nice pieces. Especially the rather low number October Revolution.

Hi Stogieman,

Many thanks for the compliment. Do tell on the number on the OR... I'm pretty much flying blind on all this stuff until I can get a copy of the McDaniel book so no idea what's what for the most part.

Thanks,

Dan

And last but not least my Order of Labor Glory 3rd Class:

Thanks for taking a look. And as always any additional info, etc. would be most welcome.

Thanks,

Dan

Now for my Badge of Honor:

Now for my Order of the Red Banner of Labor:

Hi all,

Just got back from work a bit ago and decided to go ahead and post a few more of my Soviet Orders. So here goes... starting with the October Revolution:

This is one of my favorites. Always liked the design although there are not too many of the Soviet Orders I don't like. Tons of enamel on most of them. And that's always a good thing.

Oh, and checking the photo just now I noticed it looks like there is enamel damage on one of the arms of the star... however it's just a reflection. There are no problems with any of these.

Hi Darrell,

Oh I know... I should be ashamed of myself!

You've no idea how I needed that laugh! Been one of those days. But hey, it's getting better since it's nearly over. Have to head in to work tonight around 10-10:30 and no idea what I'm facing but hoping it'll be an easy night and I can finish up and rush home... and yes, try and get back on here so I don't miss any more excitement than absolutely necessary.

Knowing my luck ya'll will start giving away great prizes worth hundreds and hundreds of dollars... and I'll get stuck with the white elephant by the time I get back on.

Thanks!

Dan

"OUR BOY IS ON LINE". Bring Jack to the discusion.

Hi War Lord,

Nuts! Been one of those days work wise and this is the first chance (8:22 p.m. cst) I've had to get on. Figures he'd come and go while I wasn't on. Jack... sorry I missed you! PM me when you're back on... Kim and I would love to hear from you!

Also Jack, would love your imput on this piece again if you wouldn't mind. Been going crazy with this... do you happen to have the weight and measurements for this one? Anything that would move this one way or the other? Many thanks!

Again sorry I missed out.

Dan