Kev in Deva

Hallo Ed I understand your reasons with regards this, because you have been the most active in informing the medal community what crass nonsense the so called "Stolen Valour Act" was in the first place, however i do think we have to stick to the no politics guide-lines as set down by the GMIC Chairman. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Rick, I believe that most recipiants are civilians, as for any military or police who would have been granted this, it probably gets slapped onto the uniform beside the cloth ribbon bars, although I have to say, you dont seem to see all that much salad dressing on uniforms at any official functions (the tv newscrews are notorious for not showing any decorations except for long distance shots ) There are new service medals issued but the quality of them is very poor, I attach a picture of some Service Medals modeled on the old Royal type the ribbons look and feel like they were knitted by a grandmother somewhere as opposed to a fine weave. I will scan some documents with regards the new medals to replace the old types and some of these medals are for WW2 veterans to replace medals that were banned under the communists, the information with regards the medals is in Romanian only, but there are some coloured drawings. Hi Carol I thanks for the identification of the Order: Ordinul "Victoria Revoluţiei Rom?ne din Decembrie 1989" As for the other awards I think they are sold / issued by Veterans of the Revolution of 1989 Commities who got fed up waiting to be recognised by the State. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Yank44, just a reminder, while we appreciate comments and replys to the topics posted, but there is a strict "No Politics" rule here at G.M.I.C. I made the intial post with regards a person, a former soldier misrepresenting himself, this man did not hold an elected office or a high postion of any political party. What members of the U.S. Government do or other U.S. Officials and Politicians has no bearing on this thread unless they are contravening the law with regards the Stolen Valour Act. Kevin in Deva

Strange, but I have heard the (Dubin) Irish slang off Romanians as Romulans Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Rick I have to admit I dont yet have details on the criteria for this medal and the others in the series. There is another type, on a pin-back broach, which I know was issued to members of the population for either the ultimate sacrifice in the Revolution or active participation in "combat" agaunst the Securitate, Police, Army during the Revolution. Again, I must verify its correct title, its shown here with the lapel pin. Kevin in Deva.

The rear. Diameter: 38mm, metal gilt. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents I picked this up at the Collectors Fair / Meeting in Brasov. (For the first time it was held in the International Trade Center which is a great venue far better, than the old factory canteen located in the Industrial Estate Area of the city. The medal is one of a series, that commemorate the Peoples Rebellion of 1989 and I hope to add pictures of the others shortly. Kevin in Deva

Because its a rare picture of US Coloured troops who fought in France in WW1, returning by ship from France to their homes in New York?? Kevin in Deva.

All Hail the Rick The RICK is the ONE, The ONLY, The EVERTHING!!!! Kevin in Deva, Sorry Rick, must be the delayed train lag for the 456 km covered by a s l o w t r a i n to and from Brasov. . . .

Close up of Maker Marks. Kevin in Deva.

The rear showing "Maker-Mark" and silver content number. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents While in Brasov, Central Romania at the collectors meeting, I was approached and asked did I know anything about this piece, Allegedly a iii reich Luft-Sweetheart pin (thingy) it hangs from a long silver pin. Kevin in Deva

The un-marked rear of the N. Korean Badge. With a simple pin device to secure to the uniform. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, my one and only North Korean piece obtained today Saturday 02 June 2007, at the Brasov Collectors Fair. The yellow on the red is caused by a reflection of the light. Any comments welcome, Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Igor, thanks for the information that there are hallmarks, it probably could mean that early pieces are made in real silver!! And now I have to wonder are the I class in silver & Gold plated or with a high Gold content Kevin in Deva

Hallo Johnsy, the original is nearly pure black and you cant see any of the letters, the two brass clips look normal though. (on my screen, and all your other pictures are fine.) Kevin in Deva

This type is to be avoided at all costs, its a cast fake, look at the drill holes in the ribbon mounting bar that were never fully fretted out. The squashed look of the swords is another give away. Note the casting crack to the rear, and the poor definition of the detail. the ribbon is original though. Sellers have been known to say its been made by a WW2 veteran to replace the ones the communist took, hardly, as they are easily to be found. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Igor I believe this to be a rare version without swords from the 1913 Balkan Campaign. It might denote the award was to a NON-Combatant. I attach another picture of one from my reference files which was found a long time ago online for comparison.

Hallo uknews aka mark welcome to the G.M.I.C., sorry we were unable to roll out the red carpet & brass band, for your arrival, but it was at the cleaners, and the brass was being polished Now and again it occasionaly happens that there is a slow response to questions, the reasons vary, but patience has to become an acquired trait of the militaria collector. No rushing in to buy that Wonder bra opps bar, careful research, must be carried out and sometimes the chaps in the know, just dont happen to have their reference books beside them at work, or while on the road. You will find that many of the members here are goldmines of information, feel free to browse through the sections and have a good time while here. Members are encouraged to drop into the Lounge section now and again for a bit od chit-chat and there is a place to post some info about yourself if you are of a mind to do so, Kevin in Deva, Lounge Host

Hallo Johnsy Hope you dont mind I took the liberty of highlighting the detail to the rear of the badge. Kevin in Deva

Igor I am not sure about hallmark, I think maker-marked is the correct description, post WW1 & WW2 pieces were probably made by the Romanian National Mint and did not carry a maker mark, I do know that some times medals that were contracted out to smaller firms for fabrication did not have a Maker-mark applied!! I will try to see what can be found out. Kevin in Deva

Interestingly the inner core is of Iron / steel, sandwiched to a Bronze / Copper front and rear plate Kevin in Deva.

The rear showing how the thin bronze (?) Copper back plate, has deformed by the heat where the small ring has been attached to the rim. Close up of the attachment Kevin in Deva

And here is one that has either lost the ribon Ose and then adapted to hang from a spange, or was purposely altered to hang from the Spange hooks in line with the other awards. Kevin in Deva

The Rear. Kevin in Deva