Kev in Deva

Hallo Gents, On another forum, where I am a member, there was posted a picture of a group of medals recently for sale on Ebay, and identification was asked for even though some are blatant poor copies / repro's in base metal, among them was this one: Which I always believed was more of a Patriotika item than an official issue medal from WW1. I drew this conclusion because there are so many of the features of the Iron Cross featured on the front:- Crown - 1813 - 1914 - "W" - "F.W." However, a fellow poster claims its a poor copy of a Mecklenburg Cross of 1813 which was in gold and contains the date 1813 and the letters "F.W." I have not been able to find any Royalty mentioned in the book, Orden & Ehrenzeichen 1800-1945 by J?rg Nimmergut. Amongst my reference pictures in my files I have this: but do not know if this is a fantasy piece as one side looks like a blatant copy of the rear of the Iron Cross. Any ideas and thoughts appreciated, Kevin in Deva.

Another Japanese armour variation: Now why did I throw away all my Tamiya empty boxes Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, there are also pictures of German troops inspecting British WW1 tanks found in Russia, during WW12, they were acquired as during WW1 by the Imperial Russians for testing. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo miguel Welcome to the forum, for a better response can you please post some pictures of your item?? also see http://users.skynet.be/hendrik/eng/F-Cdg.html#Vichycdg the site owner is also a member of the G.M.I.C. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Paul, thanks for the comment, I believe there appears to be an Irish (?) connection, as the one on the left has a net inside a Harp?? Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Laurence Great Model, I don't know if you ever saw the Japanese variation like this: Kevin in Deva.

To my eyes more like a stylised "W" "A". "H" Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Fellow Members I am trying to identify these two insignia: Any ideas??? Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, just a thought, and probably way off but to me it looks like an Army collar dog, Is there any possibility he served with a army unit as a forward air controller? and is wearing this as an unofficial insignia? The shape is very similar in design to: a, The Suffolk Regiment cap badge. b, The Northumberland (Yeomanry) Hussars 1908 -1956. Kevin in Deva.

Ulsterman Congratulations on obtaining such a fantastic example Another one to add to the "I want" list!!! Ricky yours is a fine piece as well Kevin in Deva.

One of the two badges with the similar screw-back fixing nuts, has had the screw-posts bent at some stage, I am not sure if I want to attempt to straighten it for fear of damaging it. Kevin in Deva

Spot the small variation on the Number 3's?? Its to do with the lines, to the left and right of the Number "3". Short in the left example, Long in the right example. I am working on obtaining a "Number 1" to complete a Set. Kevin in Deva.

The Rear. Please note the variation in screw fixings. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, I picked this up over the weekend: Communist R.S.R. Period Romanian Tank Crew Grade Badges Front. Measurements: 5cm X 3,5cm. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, the style of smock or combat jacket on the right is very similar to the first Combat Uniform, I was issued with while in the Irish Army in 1976, except that the colour was plain green. The upper pockets were deep enough, (so they could comfortably take the 7.62 F.N. Rifle Magazine ok.) There were buttons under the collar to facilitate the use of a hood, but no hoods were on issue, we used to buy plain green British ones from the Army & Navy stores. It did not have a pocket on the sleeve, but there was inner pockets to the rear of the outer upper pockets Nor did the version I had have, the white-grey inner lining, it was all green. The picture shows me (red hair) wearing the Irish version in Beirut Airport, late October 1979 for comparison, sorry about the quality of the picture its old There was a very strong rumour during the late 1970's that the Irish had taken a consignment of British D.P.Material styled as Irish Army Combat Uniforms, but they were never issued due to fears of there being an incident on the Border, where the terrorist I.R.A. might target an Irish Army Patrol by mistake!!!! Its possible the Leigh's Gardai / Police Jacket was ex-Irish Army stock, dyed for Police use with the U.N. (the Police don't wear such items in Ireland). Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Mr. Zulus There is already a Thread with regards this in the Lounge area: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25206 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25206&st=20 And the "Post 21" contains a link to the same pictures you posted. Kevin in Deva.

The Romanian Military, Reserve and Civil Defence used these in WW2, they have been encountered here in Romania, with a Romanian badge and still with the original Dutch badges fixed, and some with no badge at all. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Snoopy, I took the liberty of brightening up your picture. The bottom 3 with blue ribbon are: Italian Military Merit Medals, in bronze, silver, gilt The 2 crosses are Italian Cross of War, one with a sword insignia* on the ribbon. * = Please see: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16840 Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Bryan, sorry but I gave the wrong link above, this one: http://www.o5m6.de/kv_1s.html shows "your" tank and the picture must have been taken about the same time more than likely for Soviet Propaganda job. Mr. Zulus, is right, its a KV 1's. and not the KV-85. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, A Great photo, congratulations on finding it. Its a Russian Heavy Tank KV-85 please see: http://www.o5m6.de/kv_85.html Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Molders, what you have described would be very familiar to any member of the Irish Defence Forces circa 1976 till about 1989. With regard socks, we were issued with three pairs of grey woollen socks, later green wool polyester mix, if you chose not to wear them then you could wear civilian self bought socks. In the early 1970's onwards the issue scarf was a green wooly one that itched like the devil, net scarves / veils came in, on issue about the late 1980's early 1990's. With regards combat issue if you were a member of the Border Units after 1985 you were entitled too two sets of combats, the before that a pair of combats that had been damaged through "fair wear and tear" could be boarded and a new set issued without expense to the soldier whose kit it was. Camo face-paint, tin openers, insect repellent, skip caps, were all self bought, as were the Battalion flash and Battalion Lanyard. so was Brasso, Blanco, and boot-polish. (We also had to buy our own soap, tooth-paste and condoms ) Kevin in Deva (Served May 1976 - to November 1997.)

Perhaps the seller meant to list it as a Fantasy Ordenspange aus Baden instead of: Fantastische Ordenspange aus Baden Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Hunyadi, by Cap badge do you mean a Military item or a "patriotika" tinnie worn in a solders cap? Called the chap who has it, he says its got the words: "IN MEMEORIAM 1914 - 1917. Its about 6,5cm X 3,7 at the widest and under that it measures 3 cm. Kevin in Deva

The rears in close up! Kevin in Deva.

Can somebody Identify which variants and time period? Kevin in Deva