Hauptmann

Hi all,

I stumbled on this while checking for reviews on this. Thought I'd pass it along.

http://www.ebookee.com/Soviet-Rifleman-1941-45_141903.html

It downloads the book as a .pdf document so if you have Adobe Reader you'll be able to read it and view the pics.

Dan

So glad you both got copies! Definitely a must have IMHOP. And again at the price it's really a no brainer. I do hope some other members will decide to order this now that Christmas is over. I'm still reading my copy and already I've learned so much. And when you add in the great pics of all the goodies... well, you simply can't go wrong on this one. And at the price of most reference books these days this is really a super bargain.

Charles... definitely a great addition re: the cap badge. Super! I'm also hoping to add some of the items pictured in the book to my humble but growing collection.

Dan

Hi all,

Upon reading this thread I simply cannot remain silent. But I will start out by saying I am not trying to anger, hurt, offend or put off anyone with what I'm about to say. However... I deeply and strongly feel it MUST be said.

I suppose all those wonderful people who so idolize Stalin would not mind at all if the purges were reinstituted... so that millions more (including those who support the return of Stalinism) can march to their deaths in the new Gulags or at the hands of the new state executioners. Hope they all have fun being killed off with a bullet in the head or by being worked and starved to death in the prison camps.

While I'll agree that the Soviet Union ended up needing a very strong leader to bring them up to the level of the other world powers of the time, especially as things turned out in needing to defeat nazi Germany... but what an incredibly horrible price they paid, before, during and after! The blood of millions cries out... NEVER AGAIN! But seems no one is listening.

Here's hoping they have fun being marched off to prison, the gulags or their deaths!

And just a reminder... at least in my eyes a large part of what we must do in collecting relics of the Soviet state (or nazi Germany or any other such tyranny) is to show and teach people that such things really did happen... and MUST NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AGAIN!

Dan

Hi all,

I managed to get the rest of the series. Got the KGB one a few months back from Amazon.com and Kim just got me the last one "Soviet Uniforms & Militaria 1917-1991"... for all of $3.50 plus Priority Mail shipping! Another Ebay find!!!! She also got me:

also for a great price ($37).

The next one I'm hoping to add to my reference library is:

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Dan

The second class was originally part of the collection of OMSA member Eric Ludvigsen who passed away on November 28, 2004.

Well... hopefully one of these days I can get the medal and at least one of the higher sets with the breast star, etc., in the case. But for now I'd dearly love to be able to get the case, etc. for the neck Order and also a case for the first class. Again if any of you can point me in the right direction on those I'd deeply appreciate it.

Dan

Second Class cased:

Hi all,

As promised, just got home from work (through a snow storm! ) and so here are the rest of my Merit Crosses:

First Class:

Hi all,

My beloved wife just got me this and I couldn't wait to share. Also wondered if anyone could tell me where I might be able to purchase a case and suspension loop (looks like it's missing the one to attach it to it's neck ribbon?

I'll add in my other levels of this award a bit later tonight after work as I have to run. I'll keep my fingers crossed that one of my fellow members can point me in the right direction on the case and suspension loop.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Jim,

You are indeed the winner! Sorry for the delay but I've been at work on a closing shift and had court work before that. Just got back in and this is the first chance I've had to get on and confirm this. So now it's over to you for the next question.

http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/mig3/pokryshkin.html

Dan

Hi all,

Hope no one minds but I've listed these down in the sales section for my newfound friend Peter Czink. Please go here to learn more:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2407...mp;#entry228110

I feel that those of us who collect Hungarian militaria from this period or have any interest in this subject would do well to purchase this book. I've been reading my copy and I truly hate having to put it down for even a moment. And I feel that along with gaining further knowledge about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution I've also gained a valuable reference for militaria and relics of the period.

I highly recommend this book and for the price you simply cannot beat it in my opinion... especially with even small references going for such big prices nowadays. And if you already have a copy please consider buying one or more as gift for those who would appreciate it or who you'd like to introduce to the subject.

This is a way to not only learn more, add to our reference libraries but also help out an organization that is working hard to raise awareness of Hungarian history, the history of the 1956 Revolution as well as running a museum and helping out the Hungarian community in Canada. Talk about getting alot of bang for your buck! For the price of the average small badge or common medal you can do alot of good for yourself and others.

And I'll say again as I did in the sales section... I'm not profiting from the sale of these books. I'm simply trying to help out with the sale of same. And I strongly feel that each of you who buy a copy will truly enjoy reading and owning them.

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

Okay, the concensus seems to be to go with the one I have. Again please don't judge me on this one as at least I feel someone is going to nail this right off the bat. But, here goes, my holiday gift to one and all:

What am I?

Who did I belong to?

Why was my owner famous?

Name some awards my owner earned.

I hope it's not super, super simple... but I do hope it is easy enough to give everyone a bit of a break during the holidays.

Good luck to all!

Dan

Dear Dan,

congratulations to your victory #5 and for achieving the ranks of the "honourable answerers"

Best regards

Christian

Dear Christian,

Many thanks my friend. As far as my next question... although I've been off for two days I've still not had much time or brain power to come up with something I feel is really good. I have one in reserve but fear it may be too easy. So the question for now is should I hold off a few more days and do it right or should I go ahead with this one and hope for the best?

Let me know and I'll go from there.

Thanks!

Dan

Hi Charles,

Congratulations my friend! I'm soooooo happy for you! See... I told you that the good Lord would provide and so He did, in droves! Those are fantastic. And the first one just goes to prove that my age old expression often works... "It never hurts to ask.". I've done lost count of how many times I've asked in a conversation and the goodies start falling my way... out of thin air. One never knows from where the treasures will fall.

Keep up the great work as there's tons more to be found before you head back home.

Dan

Hi Rick,

Many thanks for posting your examples. Wow... if that other award is about the size I think it is then these 50 year pins must be awfully tiny! As I say I've only seen pics... never one in the flesh so I'm really looking forward to getting mine and seeing what they actually look like. You'd sure think they'd have done something more impressive... but then again this is the same bunch who did those 25th Anniversary of the end of the GPW medals which compared to the rest of the series is a joke by comparison... I like them but still very tinny and small.

Am I correct that the 50 year pins are silver which has been plated?

Dan

Hauptman:

I very much enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your excellent collection. By reading your posts I can see how much you enjoy this hobby. The members of this forum have played a major role in keeping it so enjoyable. Through their guidance and assistance they have helped me navigate a safe course. I believe this is why I enjoy this hobby so much.

Thank you for sharing what you have collected.

Regards

Rick

Hi Rick,

Sorry I'm so late in responding but have been up to my ears at work (3 jobs and may be heading into a 4th). I'm very glad you've enjoyed my posts. And I definitely agree that our fellow members here are life savers when it comes to keeping us safe and happy in this hobby.

I'd also like to say welcome aboard! I look forward to seeing your posts as well and wish you much luck with your collection as well.

Dan

Hi Christophe,

Well, didn't expect that but many thanks my friend! I worked on this after finishing up two of my jobs last night and was not at the top of my form. Plus I simply could not find that last one... but sounds like it is indeed a bit obscure... at least nothing was mentioned on the web that I could find, or in any of my meagre supply of references. Definitely a good question!

If it's okay I may need a little time to come up with something this time. I'm working again in just a few hours and still need to catch up on sleep. I'm only up to take Kim over to work. I'm only on till 9 p.m. (cst) tonight and then I'm off for two days from one of my jobs... the other two don't take up too much of my time so I'll have more time to figure out what the next question will be. If I can't come up with it at some point tomorrow then I'll be happy to pass it along to someone else.

Again many thanks!!!!

Dan

Hi,

Here is Question #170 :

Should be an easy one... Time to relax... , after Frank super challenge .

Question :

These names, dates, facts have all something in common, and are all specific :

* Christian Gaudian

* Chris Gueffroy

* 8 April 1989

* 16 April 1989

What is their common point ?

Each of them represents something similar linked to this common factor. For each of them, what is it ?

The winner is the first one able to answer these two questions, with the detailed specificity of each 4 points.

Good hunt and good luck !!

Cheers.

Ch.

Hi Christophe,

I've only been able to get this far:

On February 6, 1989 Chris Gueffroy and his friend Christian Gaudian attempted to escape the DDR as they were under the mistaken impression that the border guards would no longer shoot those trying to escape. They were spotted by the DDR border guards who rushed in from both sides, shouted warnings, fired warning shots and finally took aimed shots killing Chris Gueffroy (who was the last person to be killed trying to escape the DDR) and his friend was wounded, taken into custody and sentenced on May 24, 1989 to three years in prison by the Pankow District Court for attempted illegal border crossing of the first degree. In September of 1989 he was freed on bail by the East German government and on October 17, 1989 was transferred to West Berlin.

On April 8, 1989 the last escape attempt from the DDR was made at Checkpoint Chausseestrasse when the escape of two teenagers was prevented by the gunfire of the DDR border guards.

Sadly I cannot find anything I can see connecting all this on April 16, 1989.

Here is a picture of Chris Gueffory on a memorial at Checkpoint Charlie:

From: http://www.lilano.de/catalog/product_info....products_id/139

And the monument set up in 2003 at the Britz District Canal in Berlin's Treptow-Kopenick Borough:

Assuming this is all correct then I'll keep trying on April 16th and see what I can come up with... but someone else may beat me to it.

Dan

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gueffroy

My understanding is these were silver (gold plated and enameled). Neat little badges. Can't wait till it arrives so I can see it in person as so far I've only seen pics of these.

If anyone has any other examples of either the badge or document I'd love to see them. And of course if anyone has any additional info on these please feel free to add to the thread. I'd looked but could not find any of these so hoping this will be another good topic.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi all,

Here's my latest... a gift from my Mrs. I've seen these badges by themselves on Ebay a few times as well as a few dealer sites... but I've only seen the document for one on a dealer site and that separate from the badge. I love this as it's a complete set:

From what I understand it was awarded to an Armenian by the name of Ohajanian Hrachia Agasievich... a member of the Communist Party since 1931.

Nice collection!

Many thanks! It keeps growing bit by bit but it's definitely a labor of love.

Dan

Dan,

Sorry for my request to show the cover of the magazine. For some reason I didn't the post where you showed it when I looked last night. A very worthwhile publication, which I haven't bought yet. Peter is a helpful guy and certainly runs great web site for Hungarian collectors. I've bought a few things from him and was always very satisfied with both the transaction and what I bought.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

No problem at all. Just glad it all worked out. And many thanks for the info on that one badge set. Just went by what Zsolt had it titled as on the original auction. Always great to learn more.

And yes, Peter seems very nice and the magazine/book looks terrific. Can't wait till I can see/read it in person... hoping it arrives soon. Looks like it will also be a great reference for that period of Hungarian militaria, etc.

Also many thanks to Jeff (Ulsterman) for his help re: the book.

Hoping to post more soon. But for now I'm heading off to hit the sack.

Mucho thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

Here's a nice medal set I picked up in the last month or so and this is the first chance I've had to post them:

Wish I had a case for all the loose medals but hopefully I'll find some in time.

Dan

Well, that's it for tonight. Need to hit the sack. But hoping to do more as soon as possible. Hope everyone enjoys and continues to do so. Special thanks to Gordon, Zsolt and very special thanks to Charles without whom I would not have been able to build up my Hungarian collection in anywhere close to the short period of time or in the quality of items that I've been able to obtain. Ya'll are simply the greatest!

Dan