Order "For Special Service To The Defence Of Social Order And State".

[deValcourt]

They, but for the purposes of this post, IT is here. The 2nd class securitata arrived, When I first laid eyes in these things I thought they were, well...Let's just say it wasn't love at first sight until Greg basically convinced me I needed the spare 3rd class order. Once in my hands, I fell in love.:D I got the pictures of the 1st class today and it should be on its way by Friday. So if all goes well, my Christmas presents to myself should be here before the day itself!:yahoo

Phillip

1.) 2nd class order
2.) 2nd & 3rd order for contrast - notice the different "ray" color means that will be the domimnant color for the lines on the central image.
3.) What is that '8' or infinity symbol that is lacking from the other two?

Sorry about using carpet to catch the natural light.:o

[Greg Collins]

Phil,

As embarassing as this is, I haven't a clue as to the mark you mention. To me, it looks like an "800". Having said that, I have no printed backup that will attest to these awards being made of anything but plated bronze, HOWEVER, it is known that the powers that be (Ceasescu) at that time DID have several different awards made of prescious metals (for upitty-ups) as well as the standard bronze (for regular folks). Now, could this be an 800 silver example of a 2nd Class Order for Distinguished Services...??? Some of the silver awards were hallmarked but some were not. You may want to run it by a jeweler.

[deValcourt]

I can't say either what the mark is there for, but I do know that it's not solid silver (look at the last picture of the reverse - the very top prong shows the wear to the bronze below). The pictures of the 1st class he sent me do not have this mark either. I suppose I'll just have to ask the seller. He knows I'm a novice and will understand.:)

Thanks for trying Greg.

Phillip

[Edit: I just looked at it again and I'm not completely certain about the "rubbed off" silver on the one prong. And upon closer examination, i.e. turning it in my hand, the "8" is the same stamp/mark "8" turned sideways. Doesn't mean I know anything more about it, but it does merit visiting a jewler friend of mine, when I get the time. Thanks again.]

[deValcourt]

Set complete!:clapclap I know the front desk workers at my local Post Office branch very well by now and I swear they held several of my packages and had them delivered all today.:D

I finally received the 1st class Order for Distinguished Service in Defense of the Social Order and Country (Securitate/Securitata - I've seen both used). It completes the group pictured in post #45. It's a Christmas present to myself (besides, who better to know what I want than me?).;) The seller also sent along the "Romanian Service to the State 'Secritata' Medal RSR."

I would have taken more pictures, but the battery died while I was taking these, so I'll try to post some more later (of the other goodies I received today).

Phillip

The color is a bit off due to the bad lighting, but I was trying to hurry. The gold is much "golder" than it seems in the photos.:o

[Greg Collins]

I waited a long time to find the perfect 2nd Class Order "Pentru servicii deosebite aduse în apãrarea orânduirii sociale ºi de stat", and the wait finally paid off. I managed to snag a first variation (text book) of the Order with it's ribbon and box. It was, originally, the "odd man out" as the only difference between the 1st and 3rd classes of the Order was the gold plating on the 1st class. The 2nd class in it's first incarnation, however, had three major differences: it was silver plated, had imitation rubies rather than imitation diamonds and the wreath below the State seal was gold plated (to contrast with the silver plated star). You will note all these differences here. In it's second variation, the wreath became silver plated like the other classes and, in it's 3rd variation, the rubies became diamonds. Also of note is the gold plated State seal on the ribbon bar- this is the same bar for all 3 classes.

[Greg Collins]

The box lid... you can just see the CL. II at the bottom.

[deValcourt]

Exceptionally cool.:thumbsup I didn't know all of that about the second class one and I had to go pull mine down to have a closer look - you are aware I'm sure that mine is of the second type with the silver wreath and still "rubies." I don't know why they stopped using the gold wreath because the contrast is far nicer looking to me than solid silver. (I did have a jeweler friend of mine look at the hallmark on the back, but he said based on weight it was not likely solid silver.) The award box also makes it stand out nicely. The ribbon is also a key piece to have.

As for the uniform information, thank you, and it makes perfect sense. In the practical world of "secret" police, it would hardly be wise to wear a uniform unless you were either high up in the ranks (a general, let's say) and no longer in the field or it was an official occasion and you weren't undercover at the time (or it was a closed occasion).

As always, you are a fountain of information regarding this region. Where, may I ask, do you come by all the detailed information regarding the securitate orders and medals? (You don't have to give up any secrets here.:D)

Phillip

[Greg Collins]

Hey Phil,

I believe there are two possible reasons for the move to silver plating on the wreath and the diamonds vs rubies. They are:
1. To make all three classes uniform; the rubies (especially) and the gold plated wreath make the 2nd Class Order "stand out" from both the 1st and the 3rd rather than appearing as a part of a continuum.
2. Cost considerations; having to buy x amount of rubies and x amount of diamonds, along with silver plating some wreaths and gold plating a lesser amount of wreaths can get a little costly. Combine this with Ceausescu's nearly bankrupting the country to pay off foreign debt and, well, I'm sure there was some cost-cutting going on.

As far as all the information... hmmmmm. I research both books and the net, ALOT (nearly daily). I also have a very good friend who lives there (not Romanian but married to one), as well as several Romanian friends. They have an "inside track" to many former "employees" of the Internal Ministry and will ask them questions for me. Much of this information I won't divulge here as it doesn't apply to the awards or insignia (names and lists involved), but all the information has given me a pretty good insight into what has to be the most secretive organization of the Warsaw Pact. It continues to be incredibly fascinating.:secret

[deValcourt]

"Fascinating" is a good word.:thumbsup Almost all of the Soviet Bloc security services interest me when it comes to there individual peculiarities and goals.

I also finally got one o these about two months ago and kept neglecting to post it.;)

Phillip