Fake CheKa/NKVD/KGB Documents

[deValcourt]

I'd like to see what he was issued.:)

$30 is reasonable if it's real. The stamp should help in figuring that out.

Phillip

[Bill Garvy]

I was wondering if this "Red Army RKKA ID document NKVD woman detective" issued to Maria Polunina, Kuibyshev Region, December 31st, 1944 stood a chance, I mean aside from the picture. . .

[deValcourt]

I am always wary of such documents, but if it is genuine, it is one of the best preserved I have ever seen. One point about it is both "pro" and "con" as to authenticity - the obscure oblast. On one hand, it would seem less likely that someone would fake an ID for such a, let's say "particular" NKVD office. On the other, that's exactly what a good counterfeiter would think.:(

I tend to look more at the script/handwriting used and its quality or lack thereof. Almost every authentic security service ID (that I have seen, at least) has a certain high quality calligraphy on it that requires a practiced and patient hand. In an oblast such as this, I wouldn't imagine the person assigned to fill out IDs would be overrun with that sort of work. However, this one was a one-time issue, not renewed or "extended" and in 1944 for a woman working in the NKVD, that is not surprising. In fact, it would be expected.

So I suppose the answer is that I have no answer other than some things to consider. With paper, I usually find it too difficult to make a final call with only photos/scans. There is a "texture" and even a "smell" test that many people subject these to when deciding. If it smells "old" then the chances are good that the actual booklet is real. That does not mean that it wasn't just a blank in some warehouse that was more or less forgotten about after the war and certainly after the end of the Soviet Union.

Your humble servant,
Phillip

[Bill Garvy]

Phillip, thank you very much for your always erudite perspective and thoughtful insights. I guess it's a "pays your money and takes your chances" proposition. Sadly, high resolution scans are not always so precise. That being said, I know what you mean about the smell of these old Russian documents. It is quite unique and, I would imagine, quite difficult to replicate, all other considerations being equal..

[desantnik]

Bill, I know it's extremely subjective, but I don't like the appearance of the typesetting, especially the Soviet Union on the doc cover.

[deValcourt]

Phillip, thank you very much for your always erudite perspective and thoughtful insights. I guess it's a "pays your money and takes your chances" proposition. Sadly, high resolution scans are not always so precise. That being said, I know what you mean about the smell of these old Russian documents. It is quite unique and, I would imagine, quite difficult to replicate, all other considerations being equal..

Sadly, it really has come to that.:(

Phillip

[Bill Garvy]

Just as well, did not win auction, and thank you gentlemen. . . Easy come, easy go. . .

[KDVR]

Hello collector friends

What is your opinion about those documents?

Thank you very much for your help :-)

[CtahhR]

Absolutely dire pictures but these are brand new fake items.

[josephporta]

Thx for the fast reply, i have again contacted the dealer with the info i got from you. Maybe he have more items from Cherevan.
will keep you informed.

Many thanks for your help.

Then i have another question.

a couple of months ago i won a BIG lot of medals, badges etc... on a auctionhouse. In the lot there was a NKVD ID (pass) with picture and dated 1944. I think it was at least.

I don't speak Russian yet and can't tell whats on it. Its very small closed 7 cm at 8.5 cm. Is this real ??

Again thank you for your help and sorry for all my questions.