Nack

Priviet! This is a fine place to hang out. And I haven't seen any wierdos as of yet.

I know someone who is rather good at this stuff

BTW, if you still have the "before" scans, you could post them to show the contrast.

So, as this section is for preservation and restoration of militaria, I thought I'd start a restoration thread.

I realize this is a touchy subject, and I personally have somewhat inconsistent feelings on the subject (e.g. restoration on cloth items generally ok, restoration of awards not ok), bu there are some times when pieces are so hammered, I think everyone would agree the subject piece might as well be worked on a bit.

So, here are a few items to start it out. Attached are pics of German insignia I acquired from a fellow forum member (thanks again). I don't have before pictures, but picture swiss cheese, and you'll get the idea.

All the posted examples I've seen use only a cloth webbing for the chinstrap ...have any of you seen this Leather & Cloth style strap used ?

That is a VERY nice helmet.

Looks all original WW2. There were several types of chinstraps used, and I have the same one on my Ssh39. The sock liner looks good, as does that cotton fabric lurking on the inside. They went to the 3-pad liner in 1940, so if the original suspension was the cloth/leather system, it was replaced before the end of the war.

Soviet has some fine taste Nice work.

Any dates inside?

Thanks Doc

Did you get ahold of a vintage shirt and tie? I could use a couple too...

Here's my contribution to this late 40's AF uni thread

Wow Nack - thanks for that information, it helps to round out who these yong kid in lover were!

No problem.

BTW, I forgot to ask last time--can you tell if the woman's shoulderboards are 6-sided as opposed to 5-sided? They look like they might be 6-sided, which would indicate that she was NKVD.

Well, what I understand, keeping in mind I did not live in the USSR, is that the komsomol was one way of punching your ticket to get ahead in life. People who were komsomol members got ahead faster in the military, in civillian politics, etc. (or so it was thought). Komsomol badges were worn on military uniforms until the end of the USSR.

Komsomol= Communist Youth Organization

Here's what it would look like.

Thanks Rick--I should write this stuff down to keep it straight

Thanks guys. A bit confusing, but I guess that makes it interesting

Maybe I should have asked it this way: what do you mean by "state security?" NKVD?

NKGB had the "bottle boards" I understand, for some time anyway.

Then, weren't there various NKVD-controlled state organs like the fire service, police, etc? Did their officers have 6-sided boards as well? What about NKVD blocking troops?

I'm confused. Help.

Army boards were 5 sided for officers until 1947/48 (I have never seen any regulation date for the change) BUT they were 6 sided for navy and State Security all along from 1943.

Which "state security" folks had 6-sided boards from 1943?

Wow! I've never seen anything like these.

Do you have any justice-related boards?

great set.

What is the foriegn medal(cross)?

PAul

The Czech war cross, I presume

Sweet group

But these are great pieces. Nice and heavy, well made and that star is very impressive. Just looks terrific in displays.

Dan

Can't argue with that!

Hi Nack,

Wow, that much! Had no idea. Needless to say I'm glad I jumped on this one when I had the chance all those years ago.

Thanks!!!!

Dan

A good barometer of the wayyy upper end of soviet material prices is found at collectrussia.com. They list a buckle similar to yours for $80 Now, I think that the buckle has been there for years, and I don't see teh value being any more than $30, but, however you do the math, $5 is a helluva deal. congrats

-Nack

Hi Nack,

Yeah, I thought so too, both then and now. One of those "Can't pass it up." kinda deals. Haven't seen too many since then but then again haven't really been looking. Although as I say I wish I had the belt and cross strap that goes with it. Perhaps one day.

But it's a great heavy piece and looks great in a medals display.

Dan

I haven't seen too many around either, at least at any reasonable price. I have a belt w/o cross-strap, in ok condition, that I shelled out somewhere around $60 because I wanted one. A nice belt with the strap would proably run $100-150! The stuff isn't cheap

Like catfish on the road

Five bucks is a steal

Very nice set, just a shame no docs

I pushed my parents to buy the more expensive Soviet Campaign Medals as birhday presents and then my Lenin as a christmas present well it beats socks

Order of Victory

Good idea -- as I've gotten older I've struggled for gift ideas.

Very nice group -- lots of unusual parts