Hauptmann

Hi all, Here's are my latest additions to my Soviet document collection. I'll include the (paraphrased) descriptions of the seller (Zozlo) and also the pictures are his and used with his kind permission. As always any and all comments and translations are most welcome. First off... my favorite of all of them: DOCUMENT FOR HIGHEST SOVIET AWARD ?HERO OF SOCIALIST LABOR?. Congratulation Document For ?Hammer & Sickle Golden Star? Hero Of Socialist Labour Of The USSR. IT IS HUGE!!!!!! The Dimensions Of The Item Are About 16,93`(43cm) x 12,2`(31cm)! Awarded To Comrade Petr Mishkin.

Many thanks! On the ribbon, I suspected as much. Will have to be on the lookout for the correct one. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Well, the "start" of my Romanian collection (knock on wood)! Other than my few Imperial pieces this is the only Romanian communist period piece I've managed to acquire. I've wanted one of these almost since I started collecting Soviet and Warsaw Pac. They always seem to allude me though. But finally managed to get one. Pics are the sellers Ken Martin (joeysplace76 on Ebay) and used with his very kind permission. To quote Ed from one of his posts it's an: Order of Labor, 3rd class, 1948-65 variety, "RPR" / Ordinul Muncii, 3rd class, 1948-65 variety, "RPR" After checking out other examples of this Order here on GMIC and on the web I have a feeling that the ribbon bar included with it is incorrect. If someone could confirm this it would be appreciated. And if so if anyone knows where I might be able to get the proper ribbon for it I'd deeply appreciate it. Also if it's incorrect does anyone have an idea what the ribbon is (country, award)? Many thanks! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Just spotted this and thought it would be of interest: http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/20...09/1189585.aspx Dan :cheers:

Okay, the answer to 1) is Tomsk in Siberia. The found something saying at some point he was accused of stealing from the other prisoners... possibly the red cross packages but no specific mention of them. And the fact that he basically was offered power directly from his prison cell by the sound of it (this from: http://www.workersliberty.org/node/2322): Things came to a head in February and March, 1919. On its left the National Government was opposed by the newly formed Hungarian Communist Party, formed only four months previously and headed by former journalist, B?la Kun, who, like many of his comrades, had been recruited to the cause of revolution while a prisoner of war in Russia. After a demonstration outside the offices of N?pszava (People's Voice), the newspaper of the Hungarian Social Democratic Party (a major partner in the National Government), Kun and many of the leading HCP cadre were arrested and imprisoned and publication of the Communist paper, V?r?s ?js?g (Red News) was banned. Just a month later, with Kun and most of the HCP leadership still in prison, Karolyi was handed an ultimatum by Colonel Vyx commander of the French forces in the area (France regarded Eastern Europe as its 'sphere of influence' and had stationed an army in eastern Hungary). The ultimatum stated that Hungary must immediately withdraw to demarcation lines drawn up by the allies. Karolyi had no desire to accede to the French demand which would have meant the end of 'Greater Hungary' but he had no support with which to mount any opposition. He then asked the Social Democrats to form a Government. The Hungarian SDP was, without a doubt, the most influential party in the National Government, claiming strong support from both the Soldiers' Council and the Workers' Council, although many activists were turning to the Communists. However, the SDP baulked at taking over the reins of power. The Hungarian SDP was a mirror image of the Austrian SDP and shared the same evolutionary, cautious, step-by-step approach to the struggle for socialism. In a sense they needed 'cover', some organisation that could take the risks and the blame should things go wrong. They also needed the increasing popularity and energy of the Communists. B?la Kun must therefore have been somewhat bemused when a delegation from the SDP, the very people who earlier had thrown him in prison, visited him in his cell and proposed that the two parties share power in a new government. The outcome was a hastily arranged amalgamation between the Communists and the left of the Social Democrats (the right wing withdrew) to form the Hungarian Socialist Party. Without a single shot being fired, with no fighting, not even a street demonstration, power passed from the Karolyi government to a Revolutionary Governing Soviet (with Kun at its head). The populace of Budapest woke on the morning of 22 March 1919 to find the Red Flag flying from the Parliament Building and the bourgeois democratic revolution transformed into a proletarian revolution! That's about the best I can do at least for now. Dan :cheers:

Many thanks Rick. And the same to all of our members... may the good deals keep popping up! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Just spotted this one and thought it might be of interest: http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/text/news/2008/07/203523.shtml July 3, 2008 16:20 News BAKU.Dmitry Medvedev awarded Great Patriotic War veteran and citizen of Azerbaijan Agadadash Samedov the Order of Glory 2nd and 3rd degree. Agadadash Samedov should have received these awards during the war, but one of the orders got lost and he did not receive the other award because he was presumed dead. Agadadash Samedov liberated the North Caucasus, Ukraine and European countries from the fascists. In 1942, on Ukrainian territory near Dubno he remained alone after his squadron retreated, defending against the approaching forces. For this feat he received the Order of Glory 3rd degree. Agadadash Samedov also participated in the Vislo-Oderskoy operation and the capture of Berlin. In an order dated June 6, 1945 Agadadash Samedov was awarded another Order of Glory (2nd degree) for courage and bravery displayed in the Great Patriotic War. In December 1945 he returned to his native village where he worked as an agronomist before retiring in 1980. He has 13 children, 44 grandchildren and 36 grandchildren. Today Mr Samedov is 84 years old. In addition to the orders of glory which were presented to him by the President of Russia, Agadadash Samedov was awarded a Great Patriotic War Order 1st degree and has more than 10 medals and honorary titles. More than 700 thousand Soviet citizens born in Azerbaijan fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War and more than half of them died. Official visit to Azerbaijan, Baku, July 3, 2008 Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Well, the OGPW in my collection are breeding again. Just won this one about an hour ago. Pics are the sellers (Trader Nick's Collectibles in Kissimmee Florida). I'm not positive about the SN... hard to make out in the pic but will confirm once it arrives. I love the patina which gives it character... a nice rainbow toning. I "think" the SN reads: 998986. This is my 4th 1st class and my 18th OGPW overall. For now I'm shooting for the big 20 and then I'll keep going as long as the good Lord continues to bless me with good deals on them. Here's what I have so far: Order GPW 1st Type 2 Variation 1 (214126) Georgian Group (Researched!) Order GPW 1st 1985 issue (474172) Order GPW 1st 1985 issue (6627703) Order GPW 1st 1985 issue (998986) Order GPW 2nd (19745) Type 1 Variation 3 (fake from original WWII issue... gift from Vic) Order GPW 2nd (907735) Order GPW 2nd 1985 issue (2662709) Order GPW 2nd 1985 issue (3471267) Order GPW 2nd 1985 issue (3878174) Order GPW 2nd 1985 issue (5789984) (Complete with award booklet and box) Order GPW 2nd 1985 issue (6300504) Order GPW 2nd 1985 issue (1823103) (Scratched but visible number) (From Paul J. Schmitt) Order GPW 2nd Umalatova issue (3002) Order GPW 2nd Umalatova issue (3089) Order GPW 2nd Umalatova issue (3391) Order GPW 2nd Umalatova issue (3574) Order GPW 2nd Umalatova issue (5476) Order GPW 2nd Umalatova issue (5502) Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Of late I'm even seeing one of the Ebay sellers from Estonia offering Order and medal docs and some ID docs (BLANK!!!! ) for exhorbitant prices. Here are some examples: http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-ORDER-OF-PATRIOT...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-SOVIET-MEDAL-BOO...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-SOVIET-MEDAL-BOO...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-SOVIET-MEDAL-BOO...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-SOVIET-MEDAL-BOO...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-BELGRADE-SOVIET-...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/BLANK-SERVICE-SOVIET-I...1QQcmdZViewItem As far as I know these docs are all common as dirt and there are who knows how many millions of each of them out there. I pity the poor sod who pays this on any of these. As far as alot of this goes (Orders, medals, badges, etc.) a big part of it is the old supply and demand I'm sure. Russia won't let more out so what we have is pretty much what is available from here on out. But sure that's been discussed tons of times already. Another part of this is sheer unadulterated GREED! Just like folks on Ebay and the other auctions charging three or four times what shipping actually is to get even more money. Even if it's an extra .10 to .50 cents on insurance, etc., it all adds up very quickly. The ones I mind are folks who charge say $12 to $15 (within the U.S.) for a small item like a medal (not heavy at all) and it's for basic standard shipping. No insurance, no extras... just stick it in an envelope or package for a couple of bucks and out it goes. And they laugh all the way to the bank. And then there's the folks who want to complain about Paypal. Too expensive... too many fees. They want money orders. And of course the money orders cost, must be paid for in cash, so neccesitate running to the bank, then the Post Office, filling out tons of stuff and shipping it out. I only wish I had what I've spent in unnecessary shipping over the last fifteen years as I could then afford to buy a high end Soviet Order. It's nuts! And it's only going to get worse across the board I fear. As far as collecting any militaria or pretty much anything else for that matter I've had to be a bottom feeder for the most part for a long time. I've been blessed and gotten some terrific deals (yes, mostly on Ebay) over time. I just take it that it makes it more of a challenge. I just won an Ebay auction for an 85 type OGPW 1st class for $19.99. I lucked out as no one else bid. That doesn't happen very often anymore, even on the 85's which I'm assuming most Soviet collectors still feel are junk. But when prices for the pre 85's tend to generally go up into the $100 plus range anymore there are many of us who simply can't afford anything else. I especially try to grab the 1st's when I can, the lower the numbers the better. But with all the rest the 85's have jumped and I'm sure will continue to do so. As with most of us I'm very happy to have gotten in when I did and get what I could before things took off. Sadly, I will probably never be able to get any of the higher end stuff from this point forward. I especially regret that when it comes to the Order of Friendship. I regret not getting one from Alexei many many moons ago. I'm glad I managed to at least get the basic Labor Orders, an October Revolution, a Red Banner and a few Orders of Glory when the getting was good. I can only pray I'm able to get a few more Red Stars and OGPW of any type, 1st or 2nd before it all ends. Then I'll move on to researching almost exclusively. Dan :cheers:

Hi David, Many thanks! I was so blessed to get this one. I felt like it would get bid through the roof but I got it for an extremely reasonable price. As I remember the same thing happened with my black one when I got it. Keep your eyes peeled on Ebay as they do tend to turn up there quite a bit. And if you find one I pray you'll get a great deal like I did. And if I see any I'll be sure to let you know. Dan :cheers:

I'll be happy to do better scans as soon as these arrive later this week to make them easier to read. Dan :cheers:

And better still... a 1948 Soviet Army ID document to issued to Sergeant Shatilov Pavel Emelianovich on March 15, 1948. Best part is it lists his awards as: Combat Service medal # 1,941,100 on April 19, 1944 and Order of Red Star # 1,850,009 on April 4, 1945. So hoping I'll be able to get him researched and find out more about him and his awards. And having his pic where he's actually wearing one of his awards is a definite bonus in my eyes! Just wish I had the awards to go with it. Perhaps they'll turn up some day. But hoping at the very least there will be an interesting story behind it all.

Hi all, A couple more additions this evening... fresh from my friend and our fellow member Vitaly Kudinov (okudinova on Ebay). The pics are also his and used with his permission. Many thanks across the board my friend!!!! First off... a 25th Anniversary of Victory medal with award document. This one issued to Sergeant Kusch Ivan Semionovich. As my only other example of the medal doesn't have the award document this is definitely a nice addition to the collection.

Hi Paul, Many thanks! Re: the seller, I'm not sure. This is the first time I've done business with him. I'll PM you with a bit of additional info. Dan :cheers:

Many thanks! Tell you what... if he has time and doesn't mind I'd like to pass the honor of the next question on to Charles (Hunyadi) in honor of he and his family being once again on this side of the "big" pond. Charles... if you'd like to run with the next one it's all your's my friend. And WELCOME BACK HOME!!!! Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Here's the link to the one I mentioned that looks like mine. It's also and L/58. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=432&st=80 It's the one Laurence posted in #'s 89 and 90. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Been a bit since I've been able to add anything here in my Soviet Orders thread. But just lucked out and picked this one up for not too much on Ebay: Pics are the sellers (Dmitriy Itkis - Harum2801). It's number: 1436396. It's not often now that I see any of the Soviet Orders for what I feel is a reasonable price. I'm just so happy to have lucked out with this one. Dan :cheers:

Again many thanks in advance for any and all comments. Dan :cheers:

Also I just got this one a few days ago. Not sure if it's a good one or not. Didn't pay much as all so it's okay if it's not good... but of course if it is that would be terrific. So any and all opinions are most welcome. The MM is L/58.

Hi all, Got this for cheap... any opinions? The MM is L/58. Looks identical to another one posted in GMIC from what I can tell so hoping it's a good one. The seller didn't seem sure one way or the other. If a copy no biggie money wise... but if it's good I'll be an extremely happy camper. Again mucho thanks in advance for any and all opinions. Dan :cheers:

Hi Charles, Many thanks my friend. Sure does to me as well. Was kind of hoping for other comments but guessing everyone is pretty busy with summer activities right now. Hopefully some more will pop up down the road. Here's my latest addition to this collection. A 1957 Silver. Been waiting a long time but it's so nice to finally be able to finish off my 57 set. Pics are the sellers (Citidel_777). Can't wait till it arrives later this week and I can see it in person. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Well, I've finally managed to finish off my 1957 Wound Badge set. I just got a Silver which is the last I needed. Here's pics (sellers - Citadel_777): It's been a long time coming but I'm finally able to finish off this set. Dan :cheers:

Hi Alex, Okay, I'm going to take a crack at this one. I'd actually found a story referring to this a while back and posted it : http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=15021&hl=drink It's a tradition whereby the recipient of an Order or medal would drop it into a glass of vodka, drink down the liquid until left holding the award in his or her teeth. Hope it's what you're looking for. Dan :cheers:

Hi Brendan, Well, looks like we have ourselves another winner! I kind of figured this would be a quick one. The toilet was what I was looking for on this one. I think many were praying they'd not drop their "loads" from this bird. Some bombs are worse than others! The honor of the next question is yours. Dan :cheers:

Hi all, Okay... here's one... not sure if it'll be easy or hard or what. But here goes. After decades of work by their most famous design bureaus, the Soviets finally beat us flat out with their Sukhoi-34 fighter/bomber. It had a technological breakthru that would make it unique among this type of military aircraft and in the right circumstances could have perhaps helped to win the day. What makes this aircraft so unique? Have fun!!!! Dan :cheers: