Kev in Deva

Close-ups:- The ribbon is 25mm wide. Kevin in Deva

Nice ones Ricky, please allow me to introduce you to a first class once owned by Mr.Nicolae P. Craciun (Mr Nick Christmas ) who between trips from the North Pole resided in the town of Brad, Hunedoara County, Transylvania, Romania. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Conker, By the way, typing in large case letters, means in computer speak, that you are angry and shouting. You did ask for opinions, and opinions are being offered. Another tip, It would have been a help to include the size / dimensions of your object, when looking for information the more information you provide about your item, can help determine if the item is real. Unfortunately, in the world of Third Reich Militaria collecting everything has been faked, or fantasy items created and cloth items are the easiest to fabricate, just because the came from a house clearance of a 90 years old man does not mean he did not pick them up as fakes 35 years ago when he was 50ish. Most of us here have been caught out by a fake at some stage or other, its all part of the learning process. Kevin in Deva.

Rear:- Kevin in Deva.

Recently on Ebay:- Seller Blurb: Kevin in Deva.

The Lebanese Communist Party (?) Kevin in Deva.

ISRAELI COMMUNIST PARTY: Seen recently on E-Bay, not a military item but interesting enough. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Leigh, PM received will pass on the info to London. In regards the pin holes the only thing I can think of is that the U.N. Congo Ribbon has been shortened at some stage to the same size as the Service Medal. Probably by the soldier himself, to frugal to buy new ribbons for both medals I think it can only be possible that the Congo bar was original in those holes, but not originally mounted over the medal bar plate, it would look odd, with the pins rubbing against the plate and cause a bump in the ribbon. Kevin in Deva.

Possibly, but, it would sit rather high on the ribbon. My brother, Kieron, in London is the Secretary of the: U.N. Veterans Association: Post one, Felix Grant DSM. UK. Named after the first Irishman to die in the Congo, I will ask him if any of the Congo vets who are members recall anybody with dual service, in the Irish and British Forces if you would P.M. the name of the recipient. Kevin in Deva.

You mean like this one? Kevin in Deva

Franz K?nstler Born on the 24. 07. 1900 in Soost, (now in Romania.) Died ? 27. 05. 2008, in Niederstetten, Germany, a German of Hungarian descent and former soldier of the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Army, was the last surviving soldier who fought with the Central Power's armies in WWI in Europe. He died on the 27 05 2008 from the results of a medical procedure. Franz K?nstler, born in the "German" city of Soost in the then - Hungary in 1900, He served from early February 1918, till the end of the war in the 1st Artillery Regiment of Austro-Hungarian army, nine months before the end of the war. He fought on the Italian front.and saw combat in Italy. He also served in WWII and fought in the Ukraine. Afterwards, it was impossible for him to return to Hungary. He became a (Hunting) museum's guide in his new hometown in Southern Germany. He was married to Elisabeth K?nstler for more than 60 years and outlived her by 27 years. Even till his final days, he took care of his life on his own. According to his own words, it was his dream to become 110 years old. "Then I can go to hell", he said in an interview with a German magazine only some weeks ago. With the death of the last surviving Turkish WWI veteran in April, 2008 K?nstler had become the last living man who was a soldier in the Great War on the Central Power's side. May he + Rest In Peace + Kevin in Deva.

Close up of the dedication. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Yankee, Nice piece but can we some closeups of the Cross? I attach my commemorative piece for the Austrian Air Force, sadly without the box Kevin in Deva

Hallo Michaw All I can say is that it is a Scottish Badge from a Regiment in the British Army, written on it is Highland Cyclists Battalion T. F. ?? (cant make out what is on the bottom right of the badge) The figure in the center is Saint Andrew, the patron Saint of Scotland, who was crucified on a X shaped Cross instead of the more normal + Cross. Will try a search on the net and see what comes up. Kevin in Deva.

Err. . . . you are not suggesting China is getting the minerals for free. . . . . Kevin in Deva

Greg, I doubt the Chinese will ever be making V.C.'s for either British, Australian, or New Zealand versions in the future. They never made them in the past, the reference to China comes from the source of the cannon originally captured and used to make the British Victoria Crosses. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Theo I highlighted the back of the badge for you Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Chris, Is not the Thread title a little misleading?? The V.C. itself was not made in China, by the Chinese, but, scrap metal from Chinese made cannon, captured from the Russians, was melted down and cast as the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. At best the Chinese were responsible for supplying the raw material in a round about way. China, Russia, United Kingdom, all had a hand in the raw material on its journey from its source. Kevin in Deva

Hallo RRA227 just got a reply from my brother who is a tank modeling fanatic: Kevin in Deva.

Any of these look familiar? Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Stogieman, Badge 1:- More than likely an early* post WW" Skill At Arms Award for proficiency with Rifle, S.M.G., M.G., and Grenade. Now the question would be is the same badge given for a PASS with just one of the weapons, or had the soldier to qualify on all the weapons. * I think early as all the weapons featured are WW2 vintage and the badge has quality construction. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Alex, A lot of iii Reich items were being faked in the 1970's, in lead or zinc. Hopefully G.M.I.C. member Robert Lumsden, sees this thread, I am sure he could add something to the discussion. Can you post a pictures showing a close-up of the front, rear, (Less the button) and the rim of this particular medal? also weight and dimensions. Kevin in Deva.

Re-modeled Dutch style Romanian helmets. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Roeland, many thanks for the info with regards the Dutch Helmets and the Rumanian Connection. Here are a couple of Postcards showing the Ceaucescu era Russian Model:- Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, My instinct says this item:- is a repro but the owner, who posted on another forum (his pictures) is adament its 100% the real deal. Any opinions welcome please. Kevin in Deva