Hauptmann

Oops! Sorry bout that... can't see that part that clearly in the pic. And I was so hoping. But hey, you're getting closer! God will provide! Dan

Hi Ed, WOW! That's stunning!!!! I LOVE cases but I wonder why such a big one for such a comparatively small award? And any significance to the I on the back? Congratulations on finally finishing the set! Stunning! Dan

Hi Sergey, Fantastic pics! Makes me want to hop a plane and come join you for a walk in the woods! Can't find goodies like that here. But amen to Paul's comment... please be careful!!!! We want you to be around taking pics and putting together displays for a long, long time to come! Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us. Dan

Hi Gerd, Many thanks my friend! Love your bar... and to have one that actually belonged to a General is nothing to sneeze at. Be great if you could trace who it belonged to but figure that would be a tough one. But it's terrific for sure! Dan

Hi Christian, Mucho thanks my friend! I too love the contrast on the obverse... really brings out the inscriptions and overall design. Dan

Hi Grant, Many thanks! Actually they're in the brown (red) book of DDR badges, etc. I've always loved the one with the tank/planes,etc. on it and was so happy to finally get one. Dan

Hi all, Hope it's okay to post this here... going to put it in the lounge as well but I know not everyone visits there so wanted to make sure anyone interested would be able to see this. Here's the story. A young woman purchased several lots in Stutsman County North Dakota a few years ago. Seems she got them fairly cheap, sight unseen and intended to build a house there in a few years. One of the lots has a house and a trailer on it. Well, she's now in her twenties, married and wants to built their dream house on the lots. They go to check out the house and trailer and find them packed with all sorts of stuff... collectibles, that sort of thing. Literally the old woman who originally owned the home had packed it so full of stuff you couldn't slip in a piece of paper! So the new owner decided to hold an auction in order to clear it all out. And there was an item of interest in amongst the rest which is why I'm posting it here. And although I didn't think these items went for anywhere near the price this sold for... nonetheless the item in question went very high. Would love opinions as to whether it went high or was reasonable. But I was under the impression such an item would go for about $2,500 or thereabouts. Without further ado here's the link to the video: http://www.kxmb.com/video.asp?ArticleId=11...mp;VideoId=7219 Dan

Hi all, It finally hit my mailbox... here are some scans: Obverse is nice and dark and back is bright silver. Wish to high heaven I knew what happened to the one I had before but glad I was able to fill the void after I discovered it was gone. Dan

Hi all, I have a small group to a vet who was awarded the Chernobyl medal and it includes the document. The group is posted here if you'd care to see the doc: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7425...chernobyl+medal Post #2 for the doc. Dan

Dan

Hi all, Made a trade (Thanks Scott! ) for these pins. This one is my favorite of the bunch:

Hi Charles, Congrats on the tunic!!!! Fantastic!!!! And note... you now seem to have the small sports badge that I have cased. Great find!!!! Dan

Hi Grant, Hmmm, guess it varied by maker or something. But mine also looks like brand new. Just new stocks that were never given out I'm sure... like so much of the DDR militaria. Well, the rates aren't helping much but often it's just a case of not finding the same type of material over here. I don't know why it is but as an example those medals with the short ribbons... various types, organizations, etc., like the Reichbahn medals, medal medals, etc., I see tons of them in the UK and over in Germany. But here... few and far between. At least on Ebay. Just one of those things I guess. And now with the international rates going up it's going to be harder for ya'll to get things from over here. Basically as of May 14th the rates go up with Global Priority going from around $4 to $6 to $11! Then Global Express which was $26 as a base rate is going up to $40 for the base rate!!!! I think it's insanity! No idea how folks will be able to afford it. Dan

Hi Grant, Love your service medal. I've had one for a few years now. Just wish it would fit in the base of the case a bit better. Does yours fit snug or loose out of curiosity? Absolutely love your Sports Badge set. Generally you just find the standard size ones and sometimes the minis... I've only seen one or two of the cloth. But I've "never" seen a cased set not to mention one as complete as this. You must have some terrific sources over there because nothing this complete ever seems to turn up over here. Congratulations on a great find! Only way it could have been a bit better is if it came with the original award document. Keep up the great work my friend! Dan

Ed, Christian... many thanks for your help on this. Wanted to let you know I managed to get one which I hope will be here by the end of the week (knock on wood)! Just wish to high heaven I knew what happened to my other one. I really can't believe it was stolen as there were much more expensive and desireable items than that and yet everything else is accounted for. And as it was sealed in a small riker with other medals and all those are accounted for... I can't see it having gotten lost. But I've searched high and low and it's just not here. So no idea. If it ever turns up all the better I guess but for now I've filled the empty spot again: Thanks again! Dan

Hi Gordon, Not a problem my friend! I've been that way alot lately. Not been sleeping well... seems to happen every few months for some reason. That and early senility... my biggest excuse! Dan

Hi all, Don't suppose anyone might by chance have an extra of one of these Veteran medals? I had one that I got when I first started out in Soviet awards but now it's turned up missing. I've gone through everything several times and can't find it. I can only imagine it was somehow lost in the move (which is not likely as it was in a small riker mount with other medals all of which are here) or was stolen. Again I can't see how but I just can't imagine what else happened to it. If you by chance have a spare please nudge me with a PM and hopefully we can work something out. Mucho thanks! Dan

Hi Gordon, Actually, it's the locations mentioned in the helper ID I posted. Dan

Hi Vic, Sounds to me like one of the earlier ones!!!! Ya did great on it my friend! May you be as lucky with the other two!!!! Dan

Many thanks Christophe... I deeply appreciate that. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more that I can answer. Thanks again! Dan

Hi Vic, Well, I just checked all three of mine. Your example seems to have a much less pebbled background than mine. Mine all have the later bent over type pin catches. I can't tell for sure if your's has the barrel catch (early) or the intermediate type. But from what I see on the pic I suspect your's is earlier than any of mine... just can't tell which type. Can you do a better shot of the pin and catch? Perhaps Gordon can also pop in on these. I've heard that the earliest ones had "really nice" enamels compared with the later pieces. But to be honest I love them all! Great Orders, very nice cases, and generally for low prices... can't ask for much more than that. Dan

Hi all, I hope I didn't make that last "too" easy ... but after talking with Christian it seemed I needed to give additional hints. When I originally did these I had no idea either of them would be that difficult. Seems ya'll have come up with things much harder than this... but perhaps it's because these are areas I've been intro'd in for so many years and I felt others would know of them. I saw the movie (which I "HIGHLY" recommend by the way!) when I was young when it originally aired on tv (I believe it was a made for TV movie) and it left a deep impression. Years later I got a copy of the book about Belenko and it too impressed me. Well, hope they gave a bit of entertainment for all concerned. Best of luck on the 100th question! Dan

Hi all, Okay, I guess a few more hints are called for on part one of the question: He served as a merchant seaman. He was a defector who "literally" jumped ship. There was a movie made about his experience. Hope this helps. Can provide more if needed. Dan