Hauptmann

I sure hope someone can read the inscription as I've been dying to know what it says. Keeping my fingers crossed. Dan

Hi all, As promised here are so closer scans of this one:

QUOTE(Gerd Becker @ Jul 11 2007, 14:52 ) Come on, guys, there must be more out there. Be careful, when you stick them together in a box, they breed Hi all, As Gerd says... they tend to breed. Here's a group shot which includes my 1st's (hope ya'll don't mind): I actually did a few of these in reverse order by accident but basically the top three from left to right are 85 issues, then a WWII 1st. Next row is a WWII 2nd followed by an original/fake. It's been posted before as it was previously owned by Order of Victory who was gracious enough to make a gift of it to me along with other pieces over time (Thanks my friend! ). It's a WWII issue but has been "converted" to a type 1 variation 3. A shame as we'll now never know the original history. But all in all a very nice display piece until I can get an original (knock on wood). Next row are my 2nd class 85's and last but not least a couple of rows of Umalatova 2nds. And I figured I'd pop in a couple of shots of the converted 2nd in it's case that I made for it. It was a case I got along with several Bulgarian cases, all with blank exteriors (no incriptions). I'd seen pics of an original 2nd t 1 v 3 cased in what looked like an identical case so decided to copy it. So with a bit of felt, white ribbon for the pull tab, light cardboard and a few minutes to cut it all out and fit it this is what I ended up with: Not half bad if I say so myself. I really think it looks great cased. And for those purists out there, not to worry. In about a 10th of a second I pull out the base and the case is just as it was... nothing ruined or permanently altered. So there's the family... ever growing... breeding like rabbits. Dan

Hi all, Here's my latest since coming home from Florida. A bit worse for the wear but I tend to have a soft heart when it comes to underdogs. I got hooked on it the minute I saw it and lucked out on the bidding. It's serial number: 2766686 And who knows... with research it may turn out to be a crown jewel... but if not I'll still love it. I'll post better scans when it arrives later this week. UPDATE: Just arrived and posted here with better scans: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2090...t=0#entry199424 Dan

Hi Richie, Many thanks! It was a good price and I just couldn't resist. I can't spend much right now as I had to buy a new laptop for work but just couldn't pass this one up. The seller had had several made up and this was his last to sell. I lucked out when no one else bid and couldn't be happier. Can't wait till it gets here this week. Dan

Hi all, Here's my latest edition... a copy yes, but of an item no one will ever be able to buy. I think it will make a great piece for my overall Soviet display when and if I ever get my bunker display area done. Photos courtesy of Michael Bessler. Dan

Hi Charles, That's stunning! What does it say? A beautiful find!!!! Is it one sided or two? Absolutely beautiful!!!! Dan

Hi Rick, Just a suggestion... but when I try to make markings on firearms show up better for scans and such I carefully rub some chalk into the markings, blow or carefully wipe off the excess and it makes them come out much clearer. Then can be cleaned off and no harm done. Dan

Hi Gaffken, Many thanks! And I'm in the same boat as you as far as the many types. I loved this one since it was so similar to my others and since it was cheap I thought why not. As far as Umalatova (at times miswritten as Umatalova) it's actually the last name of the woman who ended up in charge of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) after the fall. They are convinced that the present government is illegal and that they are the actual rulers of Russia/The Soviet Union which of course does not exist anymore. They've continued to issue awards, most being those of the old Soviet awards system. On some, like the Orders of the Great Patriotic War (have only seen 2nd classes so far... not sure if they only issued one class or if they did indeed issue a first class.) the quality has gone down... using cold instead of hot enamel, etc. Note that on the documents her signature looks like a series of loops... very distinctive. Anyhow if you run a search in the club for Umalatova or do the same on Google or Yahoo, etc., you'll come up with quite a bit of information on her as well as some photos and info on the CPSU after the fall. Many feel these awards are not worth bothering with... and that they'll never be worth much. But whenever I find one cheap I grab it. I figure if it never goes up big deal as like many of us I'm not in it as an investment. To me it's part of the continuing history of what used to be Soviet Russia. Plus, back when I was hot and heavy for Third Reich I became interested in the West German reissues of TR awards. I obtained a few... but then sadly listened to the "experts" who all said they were "junk", "would never be worth anything", "no one would ever collect them", etc. I only wish I had turned a deaf ear to them on that subject. As back then you couldn't give them away... they were much more widely available and could be had for dirt. If only I'd bought all I could get my hands on. I'd have had little in them but could have sold off all the excess, dupes, etc., and been able to buy a TON of Soviet awards and still had tons of money to spare. But I let the opportunity pass by. So I decided that I would not risk making the same mistake twice. Also, I'm seeing the same things happen now with Soviet awards that happend with TR. Heavy reproduction of same with them getting better and better at making them hard to spot. Prices soaring out of site. And this will I think have the same end result. Folks who would have gone for Soviet will be priced out of the market, will want an alternative and will begin to go for both Russian Federation as well as the Umalatova pieces. I could be wrong. That's the one thing no one ever admitted in reference to the West German reissues. But to me, as long as they're cheap I'll grab what I can and enjoy them for what they are. If I'm wrong I figure I won't have spent much, I will have the enjoyment of collecting them and no harm done. But if I'm right, then they'll eventually go up and be just as desireable as the WG reissues. Dan

Hi Charles, Many thanks my friend. Email sent. Dan

Hi Charles, Email sent. Many thanks! Dan

Hi all, Managed to get a steal of a deal off Ebay on these two... kind of a happy birthday to me present... even though my birthday is not till August 13th: Now hoping against hope I'll be able to get the other two in the series of the second one pictured on the right: I understand that the one on NKVD uniforms has some errors... but would like anyway just for pics and in order to have the set. So keeping my eye out. Hoping to have them by Saturday or Monday. Plan is to have them to read on my way home the end of the month. Should be some good reading. Dan

Hi all, A couple more additions off Ebay lately. An Umalatova set which the document seems to bear out. But cheap so... And I think this one makes a nice addition to the other Russian Federation awards I've shown so far in this thread: Dan

Hi all, Well, I finally managed to get this one. It was relisted on Ebay and I managed to grab it. I'd actually forgotten this post it's been so long... I'd thought it was a year but only about six months. But well worth waiting for. I currently have it with me but I'm still in Florida. When I get back home I'll try and do better scans of the serial number and the inscription in the hopes of finding out a bit more about this interesting piece. Dan

Hi Charles, Great find my friend! Much better than I've been doing on my trip to Florida. Been through Georgia twice and Alabama once so far and very little has popped up. But have picked up a few goodies on Ebay since I got here... seems that's just destined to be my primary for finding new goodies. Keep up the great work. I just know there are more treasures hding in them thar hills! Dan

And last but not least: Kollektiv der sozialistischen Arbeit 1 bestowal with complete box 2 bestowal with complete box 3 bestowal with complete box 5 bestowal with complete box 5 bestowal with year 1971 - 1975 Dan

Badge for good work with suspension for second bestowal:

20 and 40 years DDR medals: 25 years FDJ:

Leistungsabzeichen NVA: Sport Club stickpin:

Cased Activist badge:

Hi all, I'm still on vacation. No luck as far as awards on the trip so far... but I have been able to get a few goodies here and on Ebay. Here are my latest additions to the DDR collection courtesy of Andreas (photos used with his permission): Cased Artur Becker Medal in brass with clasp:

Hi all, Still on vacation in Florida and so far have found nothing of particular interest locally. But I'm still finding goodies here and on Ebay. Here's my latest addition to my OGPW's... another 85 1st class: I stumbled on it after a day of watching things I wanted go way too high. This was cheap so I grabbed it. Before long I think I'm going to need a ranch to keep this ever growing herd! I think this is my 14th or 15th OGPW of various types and of both classes. I guess it's like potato chips... you can't stop with just one. Dan

Hi Dave, Thanks for the reply. Sorry it's taken me a bit to get back on this. Just been extremely busy down here. Anyhow so far we've gone up into Alabama and into Georgia with no luck save some very overpriced pieces close to home... more souvenir type items than awards. However, I've managed to grab a few things off Ebay and here in the club so yet again that's seemed to be the best option in my situation. Had hoped to find something nice while down here but it just doesn't look like it's going to happen. Many thanks, Dan

Hi David, Terrific additions to your collection. But I especially LOVE this one! Has just the right amount of that "I've been worn... been there, done that." look to it. If you "ever" want to part with that one please give me a nudge. She's a beaut! Thanks so much for sharing these! Dan