Hauptmann

Hi all. I've finally managed to obtain the final Excellent Railway Badge (Signalman) to finish my set. However, this last one does not have the screw nut. I wondered if any of you might by chance happen to have a spare that you'd be willing to part with? If so, please let me know and hopefully we can work something out. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Once I have this last one in hand I'll do pics of it as well as the entire set and post them.

Many thanks!

God bless,

Dan

Come on guys... I don't have near the knowledge on these but I'm sure some of our members do. Can someone chime in here one way or the other? Nick is on pins and needles to know if this one is good or not. Please help out if you can.

Thanks!

Dan

So glad you finally got one big guy!!!! She's a beaut!!!!!!!! Cannot wait to see her in person!

Hi all. I have a close friend... she's like my older sister, who also collects and who made a purchase on Ebay last night while I was incommunicado at work. Hoping this is okay... it's the link to the auction which has ended.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/German-WW-I-medal-original-big-knight-cross-steel-core-800-marker-1914-org-case-/142454337796?hash=item212af0b104%3Ag%3AGXEAAOSw5gxZdH~I&nma=true&si=HvCaykmTQ35HzjEVhxEYPNQe1Ho%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

First off, need, if possible, to know if this is indeed an original, ie: one made during either WW1 or WW2 for display in museums/shops or if it's simply a more modern copy? Secondly, if so, is it worth what she paid or thereabouts?

The listing states in the title that it's cased and is a Godet, yet no pics were provided of the case. She's written to request same.

After the auction ended she discovered a previous auction where the same seller sold a cased example which went for less:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/German-WW-I-medal-original-big-knight-cross-steel-core-800-marker-1914-org-case-/142418393975?nma=true&si=HvCaykmTQ35HzjEVhxEYPNQe1Ho%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

This made her more than a bit nervous and she wishes she'd thought to look before bidding.

Hoping all is okay but felt best to post here and let the experts take a crack at it. I do not want to see her get taken and would prefer to try to find out what's what before the item is shipped. She sadly paid right after the auction but hoping if it's not a good one then we can get it worked out before shipment and get her money refunded. She paid via Paypal so has the coverage from them and Ebay but hoping against hope we don't have to go that route.

However, if it's a period piece used for display purposes at the time then I'd be okay with it as I know awarded examples are pretty much impossible to obtain and would cost a mint. If she even went just a bit high then that's still okay as we all do that from time to time with pieces we really really want.

Hoping I can get some help/opinions on this and save the day if it needs saving.

Many thanks in advance!

God bless,

Dan

Hi Thom. Sorry but not ready to part with it. If I ever decide to I'll definitely get in touch if possible.

Thanks!

Dan

Hi all. Hoping for some help on this one. So many fakes out there. The core is iron... magnet sticks to it. Pics not the greatest but all I have at the moment. Any help deeply appreciated!

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi all. I acquired this recently as a replica, but on arrival I'm not so sure. It's hollow with the back plate. Very good workmanship. I have an original early type silver WB made the same way. Rather light weight and solid construction. I don't believe these hollow/solid backs were all that common, plus they require that much more effort to product. Can't believe fakers would go to the trouble to not only do it but do it right.

Anyhow, I welcome opinions. The pics are the only ones I have right now but I can do some scans if required.

Many thanks in advance,

Dan

My deepest thanks Hugh! I sure hope one of our members can help me solve it. It's been driving me nuts! I hate it when I can't research and find things on my own and this one has me totally stumped!

I definitely agree it has that post war Asian army feel to it in my mind. I thought about South Korea, Taiwan, Japan... can't find any matches to save my life! Will keep pacing in the trench and hope someone comes up with it. If I figure it out I'll definitely post as well.

Thanks again!

God bless,

Dan

With the chrysanthemum I'm thinking Japanese... but for the life of me after searching on the next for the last few hours I cannot find anything similar to confirm it. Hoping one of our members can help. Possibly police or ? if not military? If someone knows what rank is it for?

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi all. I know this is an OLD thread I posted... but wondered if anyone can point out what each of these graduations were for... re: the schools/academies, etc? I was told the one in post #7 is for Space Forces... is that correct? Would love to know the actual title of the Academy or School and anything else anyone could tell me about that one... it's been one of my favorites. Got it from Alexei way way back in time.

Many thanks! 

Dan 

Hi all. I managed to acquire a Major General's daily uniform from a friend. Common type but worked a very good deal and would like to dress it up a bit for display on a torso dummy. Am thinking perhaps one HSU, a good sized ribbon bar, an academy badge or two and possibly a Soviet Officer's Association lapel pin. Here's the possibilities I have to work with:

First the tunic in question:

Most of my academy graduation badges are here:

Some of my ribbon bars... thinking one of the top three:

Officer's Association pin:

Here's one I found on the web that's rather like what I'm hoping to do:

Although would two of my graduation badges work on this (assuming any of the ones I have would be proper for this rank)?

I don't know of anything else that would be appropriate for this uniform and rank but if anyone knows different please let me know. Also, keep in mind that I have no intention of selling this but if I should I would remove the items I add as I would not want them to be considered original to the tunic. This is simply for my own display.

Many thanks in advance. 

Dan 

My friend is trying to get more info from his relatives... not sure at this point if there is anything else available... but will try to get what we can.

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi all. Just a quick one... getting ready to head into the gulag... tonight and tomorrow night then three blessed days off! Can't wait.

This is a photo of a friends great grandfather. Trying to get more info but he has to contact family members, etc. For now, just have his name: Edmund Jacob, and this photo. I'm praying some of you can give us some info based on the uniform, insignia, etc. Assuming it's early war or pre war due to the numbers showing on the pickelhaube cover, and I think the shoulder boards. Wish we could see details on the belt buckle as I know that would help. Plus if in color a lot could be learned from the colors of the numbers (regiment?) and portepee. Anyhow, I'm hoping some of ya'll can put the pieces together and come up with something... anything would be a big help. He just wants to know more of his family history and he's very interested. He's a U.S. army vet, a great guy and a good friend. So hoping I can help him out.

Many thanks in advance! 

Dan 

Hi all. Just managed to pick this one up this evening. The pics are the sellers but sadly none of the rim.

Seller says the rim says:

4258 Pie J.Perrott 17th C.C. & T.C. although she sounded like she was having problems seeing it all clearly. After looking a bit on the web would it be safe to say that should read 17th Co. C&TC for 17th Company Commissariat and Transport Corps?

I've requested scans/pics of the edge but no idea what if anything will come of it. Should be here sometime this coming week so if nothing else I can scan once it arrives.

The old girl needs a ribbon... so on the hunt for that so I can give her back some of her glory. Now still learning about British awards... my understanding is unlike say, German award collectors, these are often cleaned, etc. So asking on this one should she be left as is just with the addition of a ribbon once I can get hold of one... or should it be cleaned?

Might anyone have any info on this recipient? Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Many thanks!

Dan

Many thanks in advance!

Dan

Hi all. I've not had a ton of time for nearly the last two years due to my work. I try to pop on when I can but not nearly as much as I'd like or used to I'm very sorry to day. But I got a nudge from a friend who asked me about these two "awards". Not sure what the story behind them, if she has or is thinking of getting them or what. But she wanted to know if I could ID them for her. I've not been able to keep up with the myriad of awards, official or otherwise put out in Russia these last few years to honestly I don't have a clue. Hoping one of you might be able to help me out. Here's the pics she sent... hoping it's enough but let me know.

Many thanks in advance for any help on these. 

Dan 

Hi all. Been a long while. Finally have a tiny bit of time and wanted to post something I'd added to the collection. It appears to be a staff car flag from the DDR:

It measures 30cm x 20cm. The DDR crest is very nicely embroidered, not printed. It is covered in a plastic cover to keep it from being damaged in rain, snow, etc., and as you can see has the frame for placing it on a mount on the vehicle.

I've never seen another and hoping perhaps one of our members has and might have additional information on it.

Just thinking how cool this would look mounted on my Mercedes 300D going down the road.  Now if only I could find a matching one to have one for each side. 

Dan 

Chris... no idea if just similar or what but I'd just happened to run across this one:

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Americans setting up a French 37mm gun known as a "one-pounder" on the parapet of a second-line trench at Dieffmattch, Alsace, France, where their command, the 126th infantry, was located, on June 26, 1918. (U.S. Army)

Found here... go down right about half way on the site... marked number 23:

http://controversialdocumentaries.blogspot.com/2015/03/american-legacy-in-wwi.html

Hoping it helps a bit. 

Dan 

Found it!   It is a U.S. Ambassadors car flag. It's shown here, first set of images, number 8 of 19 images:

http://diplomacy.state.gov/collections/180280.htm

Here's the pic:

But again if anyone has any additional info on these please don't hesitate to chime in.

Many thanks! 

God bless,

Dan 

Hi all. First time I've had any spare moments to get on here in quite a while. As it is I'm now heading out the door again in about 30 minutes to head to Fargo for the day. VERY cold! Not looking forward to it.

Anyhow, have this flag... thinking it's for a car... not sure. Measures 18x12 inches... could be for a boat too I guess... just not sure. Don't have it in hand yet so no idea if there are any markings on the fly but once I have it I'll post any I find.

Closest thing I could find online is the flag for the Foreign Service... but it's just the blue field and stars... no eagle in the center. Possibly a U.S. Diplomats flag? I'll keep checking as I have time but hoping perhaps one of our members might recognize it.

Any help, information, etc., would be, as always, deeply appreciated! 

God bless,

Dan 

My latest:

Found what looks to be a great site about these:

http://antique-photos.com/en/awardsdatabase/ussr/ussr-badges/573-stalins-appeal-shock-worker-badge.html

This was of particular interest:

First 79,396 badges had serial number stamped on reverse. As the badge came down to a mass production award, numeration was discontinued.

Depending on a period of manufacture, five major types of the badge are known to exist:
- Three-piece badge measuring 31,5x31,5 mm made of three riveted elements: banners, nut with five-point star and steam engine. Altogether ca. 55,000 numbered badges of this type were manufactured.
- Two-piece badge measuring 31,5-32x34-34,5 mm made of two riveted elements: banners and steam engine with nut. Approximately 20,000 numbered badges of this type were produced.
- One-piece badge with flat reverse and counter-relief steam engine measuring 31x33 mm. Only 3,000 numbered pieces were minted.
- One-piece badge with flat reverse and counter-relief steam engine measuring 31,4x33,2 mm. Those badges had no serial number on reverse.
- Late production one-piece badge with strong counter-relief (mirror reverse) bearing no serial number.

However, dozens of slight variations of the “Stalin’s Appeal Shock Worker” badge can be singled out, differing in finish type (brass or nickel-plated), reverse workmanship and obverse details.

The vast majority of badges were made of brass, while unique pieces are found in copper. The badge was attached to the tunic with screw and round nut. Early pieces were issued with an additional round thin washer for perfect fit.

The badge was presented together with either a standard hard-cover red or red-brown award certificate or a temporary printed document of various types, depending on issuing local railway authorities. Lost award certificates or temporary documents were replaced with duplicates. Holders of the badge were often rewarded with special notes of thanks or even were mentioned in departmental press.

Photographic evidence shows that elite shock workers were decorated with the badge twice and even thrice.

Initially “Stalin’s Appeal Shock Worker” badge was deservedly regarded as a highly prestigious departmental award. However, with the lapse of time mass decorations with the badge naturally diminished its importance and value.

Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the highest legislative body of the Soviet Union, issued on September 16, 1957 discontinued decorations with the badge. Totally ca.500,000 badges were awarded within 1934-1957.

She's definitely much nicer and very well constructed compared with the run of the mill examples one generally sees on the market. Can't wait till she arrives and joins her brothers in the display.

Dan

Just to clarify... the set of three I've had since the mid 80's... they came together and no desire to let those go. However recently I lucked out on an extra gold which is the one I'm offering.

The pics are from the last owner I received the piece from... I'll be happy to do scans if requested... just let me know.

Re: pricing... I originally posted my set of three back in 2006, posts # 6 & 7:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/7654-my-wound-badge-collection/?hl=prinzen#entry73004

At the time I did not have a scanner so pics were taken with my digital camera at the time with no macro function. I've since upgraded to one that has one as well as a scanner so in later posts the pics got much better.

Comments on pricing were in post #28 here:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/7654-my-wound-badge-collection/page-2?hl=prinzen

To quote:

Given the rarity of the prinzen wound badges, they don't seem to command as high a price as one would expect/think. I think this is due to a few factors: 1) the quality of the prinzen wound badges is not like a Prinzen EK1/EK2 or prinzen pilot badge nor is the quality comparable to some of the better quality full sized private purchase wound badges 2) there are not a lot of wound badge collectors like there are EK collectors or aviation specialists 3) I can not recall ever seeing a prinzen wound badge in wear in period photos but I have seen prinzen EKs in wear 4) the prinzen wound badges are so rare that hardly anyone knows about them, plus they could be for civilian wear 5) their bigger brothers (the real sized Imperial wound badges) don't command "high" prices, but I think this will change in the future. As Third Reich items move out of the price range of many collectors, those same collectors will turn their interest to other items such as Imperial, where the quality is just as high but the items much cheaper.

As for prices on the prinzens, a dealer at a show I was at recently was asking $150 for a silver prinzen. I have seen a few black prinzens sell for around $50. Ken Greenfield of Der Rittmeister has a set of a BWB and matching prinzen for $125. Since he is asking about $40 for full sized black wound badges that leaves about $80 for the black prinzen size one. As far as your set would go, I believe about $300-$400, not that you would ever sell them. Also a set like that is really worth what someone is willing to pay for it; the wound badge collector who needs the set to complete his collection would be perhaps willing to pay more.

Problem is no pricing info was mentioned on the gold. I've done some quick searches on the web but since the are so rare I've found little to nothing as far as any for sale in recent history much less pricing. I can only assume that if in 2006 a silver Prinzen WB had a price tag of $150 as above that the gold would have been more than that... just no idea how much or how the prices are now in nearly 2015... nine years later.

I've never had any reason to doubt originality on these... especially as most collectors probably don't realize they exist or that they don't tend to be nearly as popular as their full sized brethren. I've yet to see a copy of a Prinzen WB... of course if one of our members has please don't hesitate to share and provide pics if you happen to have same... hopefully front and back so we'll know what to look for.

Anyhow, as it's an extra and quite a rare item, plus the top of the food chain in any set of WB's... ie: the gold I figured it would be a very special piece for our budding young collector to add to her growing WB collection and with the thought that it would then be far easier to find and obtain the black and silver down the road to finish the Prinzen set.

So... just need to know if any of our members have a fair idea of what kind of value to set on this gold. Any input would be deeply appreciated. And it goes without saying that if any member has any problem with the badge in question re: originality please don't hesitate to let us know... but please, provide a reference, pics to show why they feel that way. But again, after posting my set many years ago, no one having any problems with their originality and my having those to compare with this newest addition I again have never had any doubt or bad feelings on these.

Anyhow hoping this helps set things straight and that the pics and additional info will help in determining a value for it.

Many thanks!

God bless and a Merry Christmas to all!

Dan

...

Out of curiosity, what are the signs this Partisan Star 1st Class is a fake? Were they only made with screwbacks or were there pinbacks like this? No makers mark? I currently have no specific references on Yugoslavian awards so have little to go on except the various forums, etc.

Dan

Hi all. First off, many thanks for your wonderful comments. I deeply appreciate it. My apologies Brian for not getting back to you on your PM's. I'm honored that you decided to place my work here. Although I'm very proud of it I didn't really think it was anything super special as I know many others have restored these over time.

My friend Tyrell helped me with it... both of us being comparative strangers to the Enfield series although I'd read about them, seem many photos and actually knew a good bit more about them than he did. But he has a great knowledge of milsurp rifles in general and so between us we managed to sort things out and get her all dressed up in her WW1 duds. She's also a great pleasure to shoot, especially now that we've added a bit of weight with the full stock set as well as the longer buttstock. I've kept the original wood... basically the buttstock and the bottom forestock which as you've seen in the photos was cut down right at the barrel band. But I strongly believe everything should be kept together. If more bubba's had done that when they sporterized these they'd have been extremely simple to put back into their original condition with few exceptions. Sadly most such parts were probably given away, or popped into spares boxes and lost or thrown out over time. A real shame.

I feel I know enough now that if another similar example of one of these... any model, were to come my way for a good price I'd not hesitate to pick it up if I could afford to and put it back to it's original military condition.

Thanks again to everyone and please, if anyone is working on one of these and has questions, please feel free to pm me and I'll do what I can to help or point you to where you can get some excellent advice.

God bless,

Dan

Hi all. Sorry it's taken me this long to get back to this and post pics but once again work at the "gulag" has kept me from living my life or doing anything enjoyable for quite a while.

Other than getting the stock pieces to match a bit better color wise she's pretty much done. Well that and getting hold of the proper shoulder strap and proper WW1 period oiler. Anyhow, hope you like her as much as I do.

God bless,

Dan