Albania An early Albanian Order of Freedom

[Eric Schena]

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!

Eric

PS: 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).

[Eric Schena]

And here it is in the case of issue - this is probably one of my favorite pieces in my collection...

[Stogieman]

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.

[Chuck In Oregon]

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

[Ed_Haynes]

Lovely, Eric. We await the Second Edition with antici . . . pation.

[Riley1965]

Eric,

Until now, I have never seen one of these. WOW!!! Very nice, indeed!!!

Doc

[Eric Schena]

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).

[Bob]

Ikom first class - good scan

Indeed doesn't appear to be real gold

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594853.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594937.jpg

[Chuck In Oregon]

Ikom first class - good scan

Indeed doesn't appear to be real gold

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594853.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219594937.jpg

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Can you tell us when and why the centerpiece changed?

Chuck

[Bob]

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Can you tell us when and why the centerpiece changed?

Chuck

Good point - completely misposted!

[Bob]

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9130

it's an order of bravery... a rare Ikom one

I'm still confused sometimes between some Albanian awards at first glance :speechless:

[Chuck In Oregon]

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9130

it's an order of bravery... a rare Ikom one

I'm still confused sometimes between some Albanian awards at first glance

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Ah, OK.

Bravery ... Freedom. It's starting to clear up for me, but only just a little.

Chuck