Tsend Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 During my work on this book, I came across many interesting documents (kept at the Mongolian archives) on the discussions and communication between the Mongolian leadership in Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian Ambassador J. Sambuu in Moscow regarding the design, quality and quantity of the Mongolian orders and medals. The leaders of that time paid close attention to every detail of the order and medal to be produced. As a results, we see that Mongolian orders and medals (and some badges) boast high quality in terms of design and manufacture. Below is the copy of a telegram sent to the Mongolian Embassy in Moscow early 1941 from the Presidium of the State Small Khural of the Mongolian People's Republic. The telegram carries the instructions on the design of the new (1940 type) orders and medals being manufactured at the Moscow Mint. See below the translation of the text from Russian into English. "URGENT.To Embassy of Mongolia in Moscow. Attn: Sambuu. In response to your telegram #119: the diameters of the Honorary Medal of Combat and Honorary Medal of Labor should be 36 mm. The proposed diameter of the medals, which is 32 mm, is small considering the presence of the ornament. We agree with your suggestion to goldplate the ornament on the red enameled circle of the medals. Fourth, you should make sure that the horseman has a sheathe for the saber. Fifth, the bust of Sukhbaatar on the Badge of the Hero should be made of platinum but it should be no more than 20 mm. You should make sure that the bust is in half -turned position not in profile. Sixth, the shield to denote the subsequent award numbers on the obverse of the Order of the Combat Red Banner should be filled with a blue enamel. Signed by President Bumtsend. SN #24. Seal of the Presidium of the State Small Khural of the Mongolian People's Republic". The read stamp is from the National Central Archives of Mongolia "SN 3831. National Central Archives: the copy is genuine. Clerk signature. date".
Aurora Posted July 11, 2012 Posted July 11, 2012 Hi Tsend, I am confused so I have a question for you. I do not find the foreign version of the "Medal for the 25th Year Anniversary of the MPR" in your book. Herfurth and Sonnenberg show it but I do not find that medal in Battushig too. Could you help me please? Aurora
Tsend Posted July 12, 2012 Author Posted July 12, 2012 Aurora, The Medal you are talking about, in my opinion, is a normal Mongolian 25th anniversary of the MPR Medal. I do not know who came with this idea but clearly someone tried to cheat and make some cash on this by inventing a new and rare variation of this medal. Judging from the photo of the medal I have seen before, the serial number has been removed and some enamel has been added to make this medal look like an "exclusive one". I have never seen any documents at the archives that indicate for such a special arrangement by Mongolian authorities to award the foreigners (basically the Soviets). Also, the photo documents show that nobody from the top Soviets (Marshals of the USSR Voroshilov, Zhukov, Vasilevskii, etc) was ever awarded this "exclusive" medal. Hope this helps.
JapanX Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Aurora, The Medal you are talking about, in my opinion, is a normal Mongolian 25th anniversary of the MPR Medal. I do not know who came with this idea but clearly someone tried to cheat and make some cash on this by inventing a new and rare variation of this medal. Judging from the photo of the medal I have seen before, the serial number has been removed and some enamel has been added to make this medal look like an "exclusive one". I have never seen any documents at the archives that indicate for such a special arrangement by Mongolian authorities to award the foreigners (basically the Soviets). Also, the photo documents show that nobody from the top Soviets (Marshals of the USSR Voroshilov, Zhukov, Vasilevskii, etc) was ever awarded this "exclusive" medal. Hope this helps. Damn right! These medals (XXV filled with yellow enamel (?) and animals circles filled with blue one + soviet bar with red and yellow ribbon + unnumbered) are phantasy pieces. There was no "special version for foreigners". Cheers, Nick P.S. I'll post some photos of this "rarity" in a couple of days ;)
Aurora Posted July 12, 2012 Posted July 12, 2012 Thank you very much for your help. JapanX, please post them. Aurora
JapanX Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 I do not find the foreign version of the "Medal for the 25th Year Anniversary of the MPR" in your book. Herfurth and Sonnenberg show it but I do not find that medal in Battushig too. I think you was talking about this "foreign version"... ;)
JapanX Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 (edited) So how do you like it lads? Do you want it? Ok! Here comes my recipe. Take one original XXV medal (fatty variation, preferably with two ot three digit number). Loose original bar and replace it with soviet pectagonal bar. Wash medal gently with soap. Take two different colores of epoxide resin and apply them properly. Polish the number on reverse. Voilà tout! Cheers, Nick Edited July 14, 2012 by JapanX
Aurora Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 (edited) Hi JapanX, thank you for your help and your beautiful photos (beautiful photos.... I can't say the same for this item...) :D Edited July 13, 2012 by Aurora
JapanX Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 (edited) :cheers: Best, Nick Edited July 13, 2012 by JapanX
Tsend Posted July 13, 2012 Author Posted July 13, 2012 Best, Nick So how do you like it lads? Do you want it? Ok! Here comes my recipe. Take one original XXV medal (fatty variation, preferably with two ot three number digit). Loose original bar and replace it with soviet pectagonal bar. Wash medal gently with soap. Take two different colores of epoxide resin and apply them properly. Polish the number on reverse. Voilà tout! Cheers, Nick If you have not noticed. The original red enamel on the XXV looks old (you can see some chips on the red enamel) while the blue and yellow (amber) enamels look very new.
JapanX Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 If you have not noticed. The original red enamel on the XXV looks old (you can see some chips on the red enamel) while the blue and yellow (amber) enamels look very new. ;)
Aurora Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 I have to find my rare variation with epoxide resin... :shame:
puma77 Posted August 18, 2012 Posted August 18, 2012 Hello, does anyone know what the rank of the officer (diamond sleeve badge) on the front cover is ? Are there other photos of officers (with rank mentioned) in this book ? Ken.
JapanX Posted August 18, 2012 Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) does anyone know what the rank of the officer (diamond sleeve badge) on the front cover is ? Ken, this is a photo of Major of the Border Troops Ts. Dovdoi. Are there other photos of officers (with rank mentioned) in this book ? Yes. Cheers, Nick Edited August 18, 2012 by JapanX
elephant12 Posted August 24, 2012 Posted August 24, 2012 Interesting reply Nick, would there be any photos of 1939 Khalkin Gol Mongolian era officers showing the pre 1944 (bastion/spearhead shaped) cuff insignia ? I know they had various 1-3 or4 upward pointing chevrons in white , gold and blue. Never know how many chevrons for each rank though - 2nd lieutenant, lieutenant, captain, major , colonel , probaly blue for junior ranks . Ranjit.
JapanX Posted September 10, 2012 Posted September 10, 2012 Interesting reply Nick, would there be any photos of 1939 Khalkin Gol Mongolian era officers showing the pre 1944 (bastion/spearhead shaped) cuff insignia ? Ranjit. Hi Ranjit, most photos in this book are in portrait format (up to the waist), so naturally no cuff insignia is visible. Regards, Nick
the doctor Posted May 12, 2013 Posted May 12, 2013 I just got the Urnukh's book "The Orders and Medals of the Mongolian People's Republic (1924-1992)" and I feel I must write it's symply amazing: absolutely the best book about the mongolian orders/medals. I'd say it's such a bible for the collectors in this area (and Urnukh is a gentleman for sure: I emailed him for a couple of doubts I got and he has been so prompt and kind in answer me immediately. Thanks Urnukh !) Cheers, M
Tsend Posted May 24, 2013 Author Posted May 24, 2013 I just got the Urnukh's book "The Orders and Medals of the Mongolian People's Republic (1924-1992)" and I feel I must write it's symply amazing: absolutely the best book about the mongolian orders/medals. I'd say it's such a bible for the collectors in this area (and Urnukh is a gentleman for sure: I emailed him for a couple of doubts I got and he has been so prompt and kind in answer me immediately. Thanks Urnukh !) Cheers, M Mauro, thank you for the good words.
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