Eric Schena Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi all:It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I got this in last week and wanted to share it with y'all. This is an Order of Freedom 3rd class made by IKOM in the original cardboard case of issue, dating it to between 1945 and 1948. The badge itself appears to be made of either silver or high grade nickel silver (it's not marked and I know IKOM marked their silver decorations so I'm inclined towards nickel silver). Hope you like it! EricPS: I got yet another great early reference document for use towards my 2nd edition and this one has statute finenesses of the earliest decorations (up to 1962). Interesting to note that very few Albanian decorations were made of precious medals: Hero of the People & Hero of Socialist Labor (18 or 20 karat gold depending on time frame), Partisan Star 1st class (gold as well, though some are not), and Teacher of the People (.800 fine silver). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Schena Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 And here it is in the case of issue - this is probably one of my favorite pieces in my collection... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogieman Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Beautiful award Eric and one not seen very often. I see very little Albanian items on the marketplace. I work with several ex-patriots... I will ask them a few questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck In Oregon Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 So that's what this is. I've had this for several years and never knew. No case, though.I'd guess that this is plated bronze with maybe a silver center piece.Thank you very much for the ID.Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Haynes Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Lovely, Eric. We await the Second Edition with antici . . . pation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley1965 Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Eric,Until now, I have never seen one of these. WOW!!! Very nice, indeed!!!Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Schena Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hi all:Thanks for the comments - I've wanted an IKOM example for quite some time and being cased is the cherry on the top. Now if I could locate some award documents, I'd be a happy camper. I do have a 1st class one made by Pr?wema (which puts it in the 1960s timeframe).For the record, the 1st class of this order was the highest Albanian order according to the 1982 regulations, just below Hero of the People and Hero of Socialist Labor. It was also not strictly a military decoration as Werlich and Hieronymussen allude and could be awarded for both civil and military reasons (like the Order of Lenin). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Ikom first class - good scanIndeed doesn't appear to be real goldhttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594853.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594937.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck In Oregon Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Ikom first class - good scanIndeed doesn't appear to be real goldhttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594853.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594937.jpg* * * * *Can you tell us when and why the centerpiece changed?Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 * * * * *Can you tell us when and why the centerpiece changed?ChuckGood point - completely misposted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9130it's an order of bravery... a rare Ikom oneI'm still confused sometimes between some Albanian awards at first glance :speechless: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck In Oregon Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9130it's an order of bravery... a rare Ikom oneI'm still confused sometimes between some Albanian awards at first glance * * * * *Ah, OK. Bravery ... Freedom. It's starting to clear up for me, but only just a little.Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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