Medal "For Bravery".

[Bill Garvy]

I am guessing 1954 or 1955, probably a "catch-up" award.

[Ruiz]

Bravery Medal Nº 129.452

[Spoonman]

What are we looking for in fakes of these medals? Not the run-of-the-mill type 1 suspension switcheroo, but in the 5 sided suspension variety?

[CtahhR]

Serial number fonts, connecting rings, metal content, detail in the tank and of course - if it has a seam, it's junk.

[Spoonman]

Serial number fonts, connecting rings, metal content, detail in the tank and of course - if it has a seam, it's junk.

How does one test metal content? Also, what about spotting replacement enamel/lacquering?

[CtahhR]

I test metal content by taste and sound but that doesn't work for everyone.

Replacement enamel does not indicate a fake. The quality of the enamel varied greatly between the 1930's and 1950's - what seems to be replacement may be original.

As the market is down right now, these aren't top priority to fake. Originals can often be purchased for very little over metal content.

[Spoonman]

I test metal content by taste and sound but that doesn't work for everyone.

Replacement enamel does not indicate a fake. The quality of the enamel varied greatly between the 1930's and 1950's - what seems to be replacement may be original.

As the market is down right now, these aren't top priority to fake. Originals can often be purchased for very little over metal content.

Thank you. I was just wondering as these are probably some of my favorite Soviet medals since beginning to re-collect based on their research potential and issue for "deeds" and not for length of service. I'm hoping to get a Type 1 one day in the future; but it's not at the top of the list right now : )

[88d]

An interesting repair on this one you can just make out the damage the vice left when it was drilled out on the tank track, odd that the Prague has the Vienna ribbon as well but they look like they have been together for a while so who knows. Not like I spent much money on them as they came with a navy tunic along with a flat-back red banner of labour and a OPW 85 for around 40 quid a couple of years ago.

[charlet]

I believe the Prague ribon is correct, from what I see on my screen, with its light mauve and violet colours ( blue and light blue on Vienna).

This bar looks perfect. A research to check if the two medals came to the same man would be ideal.

[88d]

Just had a poke around underneath the Prague ribbon, turned out it was just very, very faded on the front so it seemed blue to my eyes but its a healthy violet underneath.
As for the research I assume it would be quite expensive, its a shame you cannot search via medal number on the podvidnaroda site.