Nack

Scofflaws. Round them up, as well as those "actors" in all those "movies" those Hollywood people make. Get Eastwood on the phone, I think I saw a ribbon bar in that "Flags of Our Fathers" flick.

A-ha. When you say your helmet is "counterfeit," you mean a total fabrication, not post-war passed off as wartime, right?

How long were the leather helmets used? Just early in the war, or where they used again after the war?

Well, the holes could have been there. There are quite a few of them though. I suppose you'd need to see it up close to know.

Anyone know what it went for?

Great stuff, everyone!

Thanks! The spools and tabs are bullion and wire (?). Really nice work, with a nice accent of gold wire. A lot of work for something rarely seen!

I couldn't find a photo in my collection with just a Guards badge and a screwback award, but your order seems correct. All the awards are authentic and period, but none came with the uniform they reside on. To my knowledge, I don't actually know anyone who has a uniform that has the former owner's awards. The awards are to add the full impression the uniform was meant to have. Fraud implies a bad purpose, i.e. an intent to deceive, which is not the reason these hunks of metal fill the holes in the uniforms. The jewel of my parade uniforms, M43 NKVD legal branch.

Early 50's Militsia NCO

M43 Armor officer.

Good call...

Not anymore.

Nice uniform! I was lucky enough to get one too I love these M43 parade uniforms.

Can anyone give me some tips on determining the age of us shooting badges (i.e. marksman, sharpshooter, and expert badges)? I was under the impression that construction was the qive-away, but was just told that it is material that is the distinguishing feature. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The cover looks cool, I assume it is just a hint of what's inside?... Will the author be selling copies (and autographing same) at the SOS?

Wow, another book. Congrats Dave. Who sells it? I didn't find it on Amazon.

As I understand it, and keep in mind I don't personally do the work, it generally involves taking material from the back of the tab and putting it in the holes on the front. Since you do not see the back, it makes the piece display more nicely. You can't actually add modern materials to fill in the holes because you could never match the color.

I would echo Ed's comments. This is a fight we ought to embrace, and I think something can be achieved. I too will be embarking on a letter-writing campaign. If this fiasco is indeed the fault of the aforementioned-website-owner's wife, then clearly a single person's complaints can get results.

Well, I checked with the man. The left tab could be cleaned up a bit, but the right one is beyond hope it seems. Poor guys

Thanks Doc I have to admit that I associated the bars with officer cadets too. I've got a stack of them somewhere -- all different colors and numbers of bars. I checked my M69 EM tunics and about 1/2 the dembels have a 2-bar patch of some sort on the sleeve, but the other dont. The 2 standard (i.e non-dembel) tunics I have don't have stripes.

As I stated at the beginning, I don't personally have authenticity iasues with the cap, as the seller is QUITE reputable But, as to the stamp--who knows? Really tho, who cares? If its actually from 1948, cool. If its 1954, still cool. Its still a nice piece that looks fab with with the tunic I'm just glad that no one thought it was totally fake. In any event, I think its been an interesting discussion, which illustrates to others that, as with other things, "God is in the details." Thanks for participating in the fun

Well, this is also a subject of debtate. There are some who say that metallic letters were standard (i.e. non-dembel) at some point. There's some discussion back home at the SAF. I can't remember what we concluded over there, if we had a concluson, as the bud light has robbed me of my memory at present....

Here's the general shape. Looking for good news

And another. This is one of the rivits attaching one of the buttons.

And more