Truth in advertising for the NKVD

[deValcourt]

This should probably be under eBay jokes, but for reference material, I put it here. If someone wants to move it, I have no problem with that.:D

Okay. So I see this NKVD "egg" on the auction place and it is going for cheap right now. I ask the seller (who is in the UK) if the enamel has been replaced and for better, lighter pictures of the reverse. To which he replies with:

"Hi Phillip, managed to brighten the photo better, on the original photo it is clear when you can see it in it's original format, you are right the size of the photo on e-bay does make it look darker. When I have this problem with an 'unclear photo' on ebay, I save the picture in to 'my pictures' then manipulate it ( brighten, darken....) to get better view.

The enamel does look to be original, if it is not, then someone has done a brilliant restoration work on the badge in the past!"

So I look at it again, the brightened photos were useless for details. And I send him a rather demanding but staright to the point request:

"I would need to see not only better pictures of front and reverse, but more photos from different angles and especially a side view and a clear close-up of the hammer. This one resembles the bronze versions made between 1941 and 1946, but the wires were normally cut and rivets formed over much smaller holes than the ones on this piece. If I'm going to bid seriously on this item, I will need better and more numerous photos. Also, what guarantee do you have of the authenticity of the piece? If I do start bidding on it and happen to win, I will be sending it off for authentication and have the serial number researched. Will you stand behind the authenticity of your badge when it's held up to such scrutiny? I don't care so much if the enamel is original or not. What I do care is that it was made before 1950 (as you say). Putting a date on the manufacture of the piece will be the easiest of the tests, especially since a piece of the gold plating seems to have broken off of the sickle which will allow for an oxidation comparison of the bronze in the badge. Can I expect you to refund my money (if I win) should it turn out to be something made in say 1992 or later?"

Granted, there is a great deal of BS about the testing and authentication/research because I don't have any such resources outside of this forum - but he doesn't know that.

He replies with the best or least the most British response I have ever gotten to a request for honest and truth in advertising:

"Hi Phillip, I can understand you wanting 100% guarantee for the originality for the item, but I cannot conduct my dealings with E-bay, where I sell items and not knowing until days or even weeks later whether I can use the funds raised by my sales because someone is running myriads of test on the article won. Ebay by it's very nature is not 100 % guarantee of satisfaction because you don't actually get you hands on the item to inspect it until you have won. E-bay dealings are done on trust and most sellers try to the best of their ability to give an honest description of what they are selling.
I suggest if you want that 100 % level of guarantee before you buy, then auction sites are not for you and you must look for outlets where you can give items a rigorous examination before you buy. I believe the demands you have put on me before you bid is to much. I stand by my description of the badge, but if your not sure about what your bidding on then please don't bid."

Now if that's not a "get lost kid, you bother me" brush off, then I don't know what it is. But here is the item. If you want better pictures, do what the seller suggested (see above):laff.
The first two are from the seller's site and the third is from the photos he sent me per my request:rolleyes:.
I didn't think the Pobeda factory did any of these "eggs" but feel free to correct me on this point for historical and therefor, future reference.
P.S. Point of order: I never received any more photos from this cat who in metaphysical truth is standing in front of (not behind) his description of the item by deflecting any attempts to get a straight answer or more impostantly a good or least decent look at the badge from different angles in better light. He must already know the "hooker red" lipstick shade of the enamel in the ribbon is way off.

[Commissar]

Ohhh, I saw this one up for sale as well. :)
I was skeptic, mainly because of the low price, and I just had to wonder if it was genuine, I thought about putting it up on here and asking, but just left it for what it is, whatever that may be..

[deValcourt]

Check out the "WARNING" I posted in the fakes section a couple of days ago. The serial number was 3029 which is from the batch of copies that were made (all the same serial number) and he beat it up a little to "age" it. :mad: Somebody ended up paying over $330 for this $10-20 piece.:angerr

The saddest thing of all is that e-pay won't do anything about it if you call out one of these jerks and you can't post warnings detailing the truth without risking slander or libel suits.:banghead

So be it. I've been burnt before, but it kills me to see it happen to other people while I have to sit idly by.:thumbsdown