Hauptmann

Yes, very important so we can learn what to look for. Honestly, had this been presented to me for a price I could afford I would have been very sorely tempted and felt it was original. But of course with anything I'm considering that I'm not positive about or don't have sufficient expertise in... I always check in for just this reason.

Was extremely sorry to hear this was not the find it appeared to be. But also if they look this good, at least to someone like me and as you know I'm not without experience, then I'm very afraid of what else is floating around out there that could so easily fool us.

Also assuming this is a from scratch copy and not one made by altering an original?

Many thanks!

Dan

Also, if I'm correct this is a Type 1 Border Reverse. Please correct me if I'm wrong. According to the Red Bible the highest SN observed at that time was 724 and this of course is just over that.

Dan

I'll await the opinions of others more expert in these but IMHOP nothing is leaping out at me that shouts anything but original. I blew it up on my screen to a very large size and can see no signs of it having been messed with around the serial number, as in removing others in order to put in a smaller number. Unless someone else jumps in and says otherwise I can just say it's one I'd be extremely happy with and proud to have in my own collection. I'd also LOVE to see it researched to see what interesting story might come back.

Dan

Here's the pics. I took the liberty of cropping them down a bit as there was a lot of glass background and we want to concentrate on the Order itself.

Welcome to the club! Best thing to do is post clear pictures (preferably scans) of the obverse and reverse as no one will be able to say much without seeing it. As far as the kolodka (mount) and ribbon that's not a really big deal.

If you want please feel free to email me the pics and I'll post them for you a bit later this evening (gotta get some more sleep before work). My email is: dwatson@daktel.com. I'll check it a bit later, post the pics and we'll see what we can tell you on this one.

Dan

Slacks instead of kilts for a Highland Regement? Interesting.

Hey Nick... just popped on for a sec... heading back for some more ZZZZzzzzz's in just a few in prep for work tonight and then our "mini militaria show" tomorrow. Can't wait!

But yeah... there were instances of this in the U.S. Civil War (I use the term loosely as being born and bred in the South I generally would refer to this as "The Late Great Unpleasantness". Anyhoo, there were lots of Scottish emigrants who forms regiments on both sides during that conflict... some wore kilts but some wore their tartans on slacks. If I remember correctly, it's the Highland Clans who wore the kilts and the Lowland Clans wore the slacks. Those from the Highlands tended to be wilder mountain folk whereas those in the lowlands tended to be more into business/trade/manufacturing... city slickers. Hoping I've got this right being part Scot meself. Although as this is the HLI... no idea where it all fits in.

See's ya in a bit!

Dan

For anyone who is intro'd in more details of D N's life and times here's some additional info... but I HIGHLY recommend his autobiographies... he lived a charmed and fascinating life:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Niven

Dan

Thanks Victor! Excellent info! So basically any that have that raised base at the bottom of the screw post are bad. Are there any pointers re: ones with the pin backs or are they not faked (yet)?

Dan

Dan. Suprime and 1st BSSR (Belarus) are genuine, rest of them -not

Thanks Victor! Can you do me a favor and add the post #'s of the two that are genuine? Needless to say though I'm very glad I checked. Not quite in a position to do much of anything at the moment as you know but as with all we deal with it's a learning process and when I'm ready to jump in I want to make sure I know as much as possible. Do you know of a good reference on these in English by any chance?

Dan

Interesting information Dan. Although I must be honest and say I never liked him much as an actor - he always seemed to play David Niven....

The HLI shako could be part of the current question on the Lounge quiz.

Hi Mervyn. Well, to me, that was part of his charm. You always knew what to expect with him no matter what the role. And he was also quite a character in real life. I've read his bio's and was quite impressed.

Dan

Many apologies for there being so many. I'm trying to learn all I can on these and although I "feel" they look okay... I figure it's always better to come to those members with more expertise than I have. I've never personally seen or handled these... only a very few pics on the web. Hoping other members who may have an interest in these can learn from these one way or the other.

As always, any and all help is deeply appreciated!

Dan