So it's a soldier's complete, total and official file of his whole military service?
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
These files can present very interesting reading if you have someone who can translate them. I have two. One to a Hero of Soviet Union and one to an Artillery Commander who was decorated with a U.S. LOM.
If you're a document or paper geek like me...these are fantastic! In my opinion worth the $85-$100 if you can afford it.
03-06-2011, 08:37 PM (This post was last modified: 03-06-2011, 08:50 PM by deValcourt.)
I have one such personnel file that I got a while back and that Paul was kind enough to help me sort out. In theory, I don't like the idea of these being for sale. In practice, I own one and it's not like I can return it or that anyone misses it.:rolleyes:
On a side note, there is a ePay seller from Estonia hawking criminal investigation files (mostly from the late 1980s) that he has ranging from $40 to $75 each depending on the crime, I guess (one of them inlcudes an investigation of a suicide - NOT the one pictured below). His ads say KGB, but I doubt any of these cases were handled by anyone other than the local MVD and Public Prosecutor's Office (DA).
I'm just sort of bothered by any type of release/leak/theft of very personal material (like the suicide case I mentioned - photos and all:mad:). I'm sorry there are a number of Estonian (and other former Soviet Republic) citizens who feel it is OK to do as they please - for profit or revenge or whatever motive - with anything having to do with the Soviet Union just because they can. The country as it was may not exist anymore, but there is no good reason IMHO to abuse the memory of the people who lived there.
Military personnel files are relatively impersonal, but criminal investigation files get very personal and ... OK, I'm calmer now.:rolleyes:
03-07-2011, 01:59 AM (This post was last modified: 03-13-2012, 03:10 AM by CtahhR.)
Maybe I should make a small investment if only to keep this soldier's file in the hands of someone who appreciates it?
I've been a regular on ebay for quite few years, and at one time searched all the Soviet military paper items available on a daily basis looking for Billets and Knizhkas and battle certificates, mainly. Never seen one of these before. Now, however, I see a few of them.
I wonder if this is the trickle before the dam breaks and they'll be all over the place shortly, or this just the few that were snuck out of the office just after it closed and before the new authorities put the kibosh on employee theft.
I suspect the later but if so why the roughly ten years in between regime change and surfacing for sale?
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
In fact, these were more widely available toward the end of the 1990's and early 2000's. Somehow, it seems that most of them are now in collections (I own 4), and once in a while, e few surface again, but it is nothing to compare with what it was then.
OK, thanks (again), Marc. I guess most probably I never recognized what they were when they were right in front of me.
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'