Hauptmann

Hi all, Thanks so much everyone for helping out with this one. I'm still hoping for more info over time. Am I correct in thinking this is a rather unusual piece? I've "never" seen another of the tinny type awards engraved much less serial numbered so when I saw it I just had to have it. Again many thanks for all the help. Dan

Hi Christian, Many thanks! It was a term I'd not heard before and I tried looking it up without any luck. Funny enough I hadn't even noticed them until I did the scans. It's amazing how often that happens with me. I guess my eyesight is getting worse than I thought! But they sure are pretty and I think as with OGPW and RS's that I'm hooked on these. Dying to get a Soviet made example but think whenever I can I'll try to pick them up regardless and start another herd. I'm sure as with OGPW and such... if you put them in a box (as Gerd says) they'll breed. Dan

Hi Ed, Definitely knew that. When we lived in north Florida we'd get their copters over our place quite often... along with other aircraft from the naval and air bases in that part of Florida. About the only aircraft we'd see except for life flight on occassion, a logging company chopper or crop duster. There are a few surplus stores in that area and they do indeed pick up goodies from the personnel stationed there. I got a helicopter helmet many moons ago at once such store. Often see some great pieces in the area. Dan

Hi Kevin, Terrific collection. I especially like the Polizei one... but green being my favorite color that was natural. Many thanks for sharing them. I hope to see more examples posted over time. Nice thing about these is how cheap they generally are... unlike the WWI and WWII examples which are just out of sight. Even the remakes of same tend to be pricey. But I've found most of mine for about $5 each or less. This one was about $18 which is the most I've paid. But as it was one of the very few military related items of interest I found on my trip I felt it was worth it. Dan

Here are pics from another attempt earlier in the season: And although there were spots that flaked off due to the humidity problems and such... looking at these pictures again I almost feel it made it look like more of an original old paint job as I've seen many that looked like that after so many years of wear and tear and such. Anyhow... when he decides to try it again I'll keep ya'll posted and show it again once it's done. Dan

I feel the new paint is a definite improvement over the old brush strokes and such, especially on the back. A friend of mine locally (and a fellow member) (Thanks Ernie!!!!) did it for me. He's a master of repainting cars and is a perfectionist. He took this on as a challenge. He's actually still not satisfied after redoing it at least 30 times! He said that the humidity this summer (unusual here in North Dakota) is messing up how the paint is drying. So once the weather changes he wants another crack at it.

Hi all, Okay, time to let the cat out of the bag. It is original. I've had it for ages. I'd originally posted it here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7431&hl=hauptman Here's the original pics on the left and the new on the right:

Hi Charles, No idea... but that makes sense to me. Saw it with a bunch of regular beer steins... just couldn't resist as it was the only military related on. At some point I'll have to do a thread of all my steins... nothing fancy but I like them. Dan

Hi Charles, Need I say more! Congratulations my friend!!!! Dan

Hi Vic, My friend, I literally could not have done it without you. As you know the vast majority was obtained by you and passed along. And that makes it all the more important to me. Many thanks!!!! Dan

Hi Christian, Mucho thanks for answering on this one. I did want to ask... by "Punzierungen" I take it you mean those small stamps on the back... I'm assuming they are silver marks then? I can try to get better scans of them if that would help. Dan

Hi Stefan, Danke sehr viel! Ich sch?tze tief das. And I see Christian has already answered the question. Dan

Hi SasaYU, Many thanks! I'm going to definitely keep trucking along. And may I say welcome to the club! Dan

Hi Christian, Many thanks my friend! Little by little it'll get where I'd like it to be. I can't wait to get a Soviet made Partisan Star and the next in the Labor series. Dan

And although not Orders since they go with a series of Orders that I hope to complete at some point I figured I'd plop them in here... hope no one minds. Oh, the 2nd class was another Ebay find by the way. Dan

Hi all, A few more additions to the collection. A boxed Motherhood Medal 1st Class courtesy of Order of Victory (Thanks again my friend! You're the greatest!!!! )

Hi all, Here's a couple of better shots of the last medal I posted: Dan

Thanks, Dan

Hi all, Any opinions or comments?

And closer shots of my first Partisan Order 3rd class: Will keep trying to add more over time. Dan

Hi all, As humble as it still is, here's what I have so far:

Hi all, Here's one I picked up in a little shop down in Dothan Alabama while I was on my trip down to Florida: First West German piece I've found in quite a while. I love the panzer on the front. And it's in terrific shape. Dan

Hi all, Now that I'm home I've been doing scans of the items I got while I was down in Florida. Here's some better shots of the above ribbon bar: Dan

Hi all, One of my Ebay acquisitions while on my trip... a Gagarin medal: Dan