Fake "Defence Of" Campaign Medal Documents.

[Spoonman]

What do you look for in fake documents or award books? I see that someone mentioned a general "NKO" stamp instead of a specific stamp. What are the different stamps to look out for? What stamp would be on a Voenkomat booklet versus a regular war-time variety?

Also, how would someone spot a modern-day signed but old and original blank document?

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by Spoonman

What do you look for in fake documents or award books? I see that someone mentioned a general "NKO" stamp instead of a specific stamp. What are the different stamps to look out for? What stamp would be on a Voenkomat booklet versus a regular war-time variety?

Also, how would someone spot a modern-day signed but old and original blank document?

Good questions all. Most stamps were issued by small units or local Party organizations. Similarly voenkomats would also use their own stamps.

Completely fake docs such as color photocopies are rare and are easy to detect due to complete lack of wear. A more common forgery is taking an original issue voenkomat doc and attempting to make it look like a WWII issue. The most common tell-tale is a voenkomat doc will have the date 19__ whereas a WWII doc will usually have 194_. Forgers usually pick NKVD or some other sexy aspect to pull you in.

[Spoonman]

Originally Posted by desantnik

Good questions all. Most stamps were issued by small units or local Party organizations. Similarly voenkomats would also use their own stamps.

Completely fake docs such as color photocopies are rare and are easy to detect due to complete lack of wear. A more common forgery is taking an original issue voenkomat doc and attempting to make it look like a WWII issue. The most common tell-tale is a voenkomat doc will have the date 19__ whereas a WWII doc will usually have 194_. Forgers usually pick NKVD or some other sexy aspect to pull you in.

Ah, thank you so much for explaining that. I plan on collecting documents alongside future campaign medals (which is nice, since they aren't numbered). But since I'm not versed in documents or what to look for, I really didn't know where to start. This gives me a good foot-hold as to what to start looking for and paying attention to.

[desantnik]

Accuse me of self promotion, but don't buy from people you don't trust.

[datapoint]

Hi All,

I know you should trust your gut, but I need to tap the gut of the experts on this one. The document looks suspicious, emblem is fuzzy and I've never seen a doc for defense on such weak paper. Would appreciate any feedback on this one. Thank you in advance, Keith

[datapoint]

part 2...more pics of the doc and medal. Lighthouse is a bit weak but have seen validated originals with it weaker. Please let me know if you need more pictures. Again appreciate any feedback, thanks Keith

[desantnik]

Both doc and medal look bad.

[datapoint]

Thanks desantnik, I passed on that one.