WJT

That is what I wanted to know, thanks. Regards, Bill

Any difference between the silver and the black tanks besides color?

I have a U.S. Naval Sword Made in Japan. Can anyone tell mor about these Japanese made swords? Bill

This is inscribe on the bottom of a Russian clock, thanks in advance Bill

Many thanks

I would very much like to know how to do the research soviet awards by number. Regards, Bill

No worries gentlemen. These were listed on Ebay as a part of museum piece Kuomintang Medals for $20.00 back in 2003. It was my first bid on E-Bay. Go figure, I won. Maybe I'll make an art piece of them. I guess it how one shines the turd. As the saying goes - too soon old, too late smart. Thank you for the education. I am glad this forum exists. These were the original photos. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2012/post-9887-0-00461500-1337955715.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2012/post-9887-0-94292400-1337955732.jpg

Do you have an example?

These are a few medals I cannot identify on the web. Need your help, regards, Bill

These are the only two in my collection I cannot identify. Thanks in advance for your help. regards, Bill

I would like some help with identifying these particular medals, Thanks, Bill

Can anyone identify these Chinese medals. Also I read somwhere that these type of medals have been identified as fakes. Are these the real thing? Regards, Bill

#1 is the piece my grandfather gave me when I was awarded my US Navy Dolphins in 1975. He passed away in 1979. I have compared the BSW Hallmark with an Austrian Artillery Qualification Badge I have and there is only a slight difference. I found a reference that stated that the artillery badge was stopped being made in 1913. Also as I understand it, all original Gov. issued pieces were only given out to individuals actually assigned to a boat and were collected when the individual left the boat. All of these badges were supposedly destroyed after the war. As a side note, being a submarine sailor myself, I have an idea of what these guys went through in these unproven machines and after sinking and/or damaging some of the British, French and Italian greatest warships I believe it unlikely that the Empire would have collected them all and destroyed them- just my opinion. I have seen reference that they were only issued to the enlisted and only after completion of Submarine school. Officers were allowed to purchase their own from a private manufacturer like BSW. I have also seen reference to the badge being awarded to enlisted graduates of submarine school who graduated at the head of their class prior to the beginning of the war. It is possible that the piece I received from my grandfather is either the one awarded or possibly one he purchased it himself. #2 is a copy of #1 that a friend of mine cast in silver from a mold he made of the original. #'s 3 & 4 look authentic but the BSW Hallmarks are the same but differ considerably from #1. These may have been veteran's pieces or jeweler made pieces. #5 & 7 I was told were fakes because of the smell. I have seen the clip on #5 on a museum copy being sold on the web so maybe it is one of them doctored. #7 has the same patina as #4. #6 has a screw back and I believe it to be made in Poland or Czech Republic. Got it for $18.00 None of the pin backs are marked and probably reproductions because none of them really cost that much. #8 – 10 looked like novelty pieces. #11 I received from a group I belong to in Salzburg Austria. #12 appears to be a period sweetheart pin with a five pointed starfish hallmark. #13 appears to be a period stick pin. #14 is a commemoration pin Welt Krieg 1914 -1916 Hochsee-Flotte. #15 cap badge. #16 stamped badge gold and silver color. #17 same as 16 but silver color back. #18 & 19 stamped, look to be made by the same maker. #20 is like #18 but aged. #21 beautifully finished but like current anodized finishes. #22 stamped like it is done in bright silver. To make short story long, I collect just about every one of these I find (sans the $1500 piece). I am looking for a way to date the marked pieces with the history of BSW hallmark used before and during WWI. My grandfather's picture is at http://www.ww1medals.net/SMU-4.html Regards

Here are the backs. No. 1 is my grandfather's

I will upload the backs on Monday

Here is my collection - No 1 was my grandfather's

The sailor is my grandfather

My grandfather was assigned to U-IV from 1913 to 1916. When I got qualified in the US Submarine Service he gave me his U-Boat badge. Since then I have been collecting AH u-boat badges, some reproductions and many fakes. The fakes were intentional. I would like to know if anyone has information and/or references on makers, hallmarks, periods made and where they were made and where they are currently being made. Thanks, Bill

Thank you both fir the information. Is there any information on the company? Also I have a few AH badges with vatiations of this Hallmark, can they be dated by the changes in the look of the Hallmark? Are there many fakes produced using this Hallmark and to what extent? Regards, Bill

I am looking for a reference or any information on the BSW Gebruder Schneider Wien Hallmark. I have seen Hallmarks in pottery that one could use to date the piece and am looking for the same thing for BSW from Pre-WWI thru WWII. Thank you in advance for any assistance. Regards