DutchBoy

Hunyadi, That's some pretty sweet deals you made...I'll keep a closer eye open for those! I guess people may assume it is a later version while actually it's a nice WW2 example.

I think the next closest would be an East German Karl marx order, the other commie countries don't as I recall have quite the same thing (except Mongolia of course, which I suppose you have already).

Coastie, Definitely Austrian, for the rest I don't know. Matt.

Man, those low serial numbers!! Would love to add a Cavalier set to my collection but $14,000...YIKES!! I remember those groups going for a LOT less, but that's an all too familiar story.

Hi Piet, Always nice to see Dutch items, especially the collaborators' stuff. Welcome to the forum, Matthijs.

Jacaranda, If you can post a pic of the reverse that would be great, too! Are there any makers marks on there? Matthijs. p.s. didn't mean to highjack your thread there with the political stuff.

Hi Ed, It's just the stories in the news about repression of political opponents of the ruling party, the rigging of elections, very strict censorship of the media, etc. Here's the CIA's assessment: "Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. Opposition and labor strikes in 2003 were unsuccessful in pressuring MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their brutal repression of regime opponents. The ruling ZANU-PF party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition, according to UN estimates." Such a shame, because it is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited (Victoria Falls, need i say more?) Sorry if this is off-topic, Matthijs.

Hi Ed, I think you may want to put the word "democratic" in quotation marks there...... Matthijs.

Hi Jacaranda, I love Southern African awards! Thank for posting this beautiful breast star, I've never seen it before. BTW, what kind of book did you write? Matthijs.

I'm sending you a PM with the address. Matthijs.

Knowing very little about EK's, maybe it's a rare variation. I know that a variation manufactured by Schinkel can run upwards of $300 - $400 for a regular EK2. This is, however, the extent of my knowledge on the subject... Matthijs.

I've never heard of a fake Red Star in this serial range (although these days, anything is possible). They tend to fake earlier variations that are worth more. This one is a later WW2 example probably in the $40 - $50 range, and there's a plentiful supply of them, so I'm pretty sure you're safe. Matthijs.

"Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst" is Dutch for "Decoration for Faithful Service." Dutch was used as an official language until some time around WW2 instead of Afrikaans, which was more of a popular language and not considered suitable for use on decorations at that time. Check out this link to SA medals and decorations from all time periods (only descriptions and ribbons though, no pics of medals): http://www.geocities.com/militaf/ Cheers, Matthijs.

One word Sam: SWEET! Good luck on the research mate, and be sure to post it when you get it! Matthijs.

Thanks everyone, Your info has been invaluable to me! Considering the unissued ones are MANY times cheaper than issued ones means one can build up a very comprehensive collection in a short time with relatively little money. Then again, nothing beats a nice issued one from WW2! Let me expand my collection then before it's too late... Matthijs.

I saw some of the late Prince's awards displayed at the Het Loo palace in Apeldoorn. Very impressive!

Can someone enlighten me please? I've bought a couple of US medals recently on eBay (Bronze & Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit). They are modern production unissued medals. My question is: Are these the same medals that are issued to the troops, or are these somehow different? They are advertised as being made by the same manufacturers that deliver to the US military, but does that mean they are the same as the issued ones? I thought I'd ask first before committing to buy more. Please help, Matthijs.

Hi Paul, Congrats on your new position! Anyway, as someone just starting out in Japanese ODM, I'd really like to see a thread dedicated to fakes of all the orders and medals (and of any other type of Japanese militaria if fakes exist). I hear many Japanese order fakes are easy to spot, but maybe I'm mistaken. A consolidated reference thread would be a good idea I think. Cheers, Matthijs.

Hey Steve, I know this site and it's great! Thanks for posting it! Matt.

More medals in my showcase identified! The Republic of Venda medals in post #18 are as follows: On the right, the Distinguished Leadership Medal. On the left, the Venda Defence Force Soldiers Medal, with incorrect ribbon (this present ribbon is the ribbon of the Venda Defence Force Long Service Award in Gold for 30 years service). Many Venda medals were "liberated" after the reunification in 1994 I think because I've seen a lot of Venda medals for sale without ribbons and in mint condition. In this case someone must have just added a ribbon they had lying around to this medal to make it more saleable, and that's how I bought it. At least that's another mystery solved!

Beautiful presentation and very interesting items...keep 'em coming!!

I've identified the unknown Bophuthatswana medal! Post #21, the medal on the left is the Bophuthatswana Defence Forces Commendation Medal, instituted in 1984. It was awarded to reward service of a high standard. Matthijs.

Hey Wild Card, I have no specific knowledge about fakes from the German States. What I was commenting on was Ed Haynes' discussion about what can be done about fakes on eBay. What I was illustrating was that while companies will sue eBay for allowing listings of fakes of their items (like fakes designer handbags or clothes), this is impossible for fakes of militaria. If there is a fake Iron Cross on eBay, the current head of the Hohenzollern family or the present German Government will not sue eBay for selling fakes of real orders that they (or their ancestors) had a hand in awarding or manufacturing in the past. I used Hannover only as one such example. So fakes can proliferate on eBay without anyone telling them to cancel those listings or ban those sellers, because eBay itself is not pressured by anyone to do so. Matt.

Ed, You're right of course...they're not going to have someone scanning the items for fake orders and medals....that's nuts. However, you CAN get in trouble on eBay for selling counterfeit merchandise...a friend of mine (shame on him!!) tried to sell some fake Louis Vuitton handbags on eBay and he got a VERY stern email from eBay and from Louis Vuitton the very same day warning him from ever trying that again. His listings were pulled immediately, but since it was a first offence they let it go, and even refunded his listing fees..... Now I doubt the German government or the Prince of Hannover is going to complain to eBay about their fake items....

Thanks g deploige for the pics of the crowns.....loooove those crowns!