Patriotic War.

[desantnik]

The question I have is which is most common? the one with the gold or without?

Unquestionably the gold one.

[jefflgarrison]

ok, thanks for the info, now last question. What is one of those things worth? I have been given the opportunity to purchase one but was asked to put a price on it. The enamel on one arm is half chipped.

What would be the going rate for such?

[Lapa]

There's two theories - one it's a field replacement, and the other more plausible is it was done at the mint - Krasnokamsk, I believe. I'm sure someone else will weigh in.

Paul,

Neither KMD nor MZPP ever produced any trench reverse OPW.

This variation was manufactured partly at MMD in 2 separate parts - from ~74,500 to ~76,500 and from ~170,000 to ~180,500 (smaller trench: 21 and 15mm diameters) - and partly at LMD - SN in the range ~110,000 to ~271,500, (larger trench: 22 and 14mm diameters; this type is mixed up with other LMD types and is much rarer than the serial number range would indicate).

I am convinced that the BRASS H&S are replacements from cocarde, and not standard mint issues. Steel H&S are a novelty item made for collectors.

Marc

... if you look closely, not held by 2 rivets, as usual, but actually, you see the ends of the copper wire bent outwards on reverse...

Alex,

To date, all trench reverse OPWs I have seen except ONE had riveted H&S.

Here are a few examples taken from Mondvor. From Left to Right: MMD 1st part, MMD 2nd part, LMD.

Marc

[desantnik]

I am convinced that the BRASS H&S are replacements from cocarde, and not standard mint issues. Steel H&S are a novelty item made for collectors.

Yes, I too have never seen a steel H&S. I've got two brass ones and I'm fairly certain one has the "tails" (not rivetted), but I'll have to check when I get home.

[AlexF.]

Lapa, it's hard to see on those scans from mondvor, perhaps, Andrew will post larger/better scans of those when he get's a chance, meanwhile, your 175xxx is definitely the hollow H/S with copper wire (instead of rivets), the other two I'm not quite sure. Here is another one of the same range, from my collection, with wire a bit better seen...
Unfortunately, it's close to impossible to post clear scans here with 50K forum limits, so here are links to 3 more with clear wire instead of rivets, which I temporarely put on my site, just so you guys get the idea... The last one, #177376 is very curious, as it is not a "trench", however, was a "spare" of one, and since it was completed together with the standard productions, got the same hollow H/S.:chuckle
Enjoy!

[jefflgarrison]

Here is the one for sale that I am looking at and wondering about pricing.

[ade stevenson]

Just taking a few pics this afternoon as the light is good, so I thought I would share the pics here with you all.

[ELVTARS]

I have been informed that this is the lowest known number of the 'offset' variation. This is number 118019

[ELVTARS]

This one is a KMD T2 Var 3.4 2nd release from Nov 1944 to Jan 1945 within the # range of 371724 to 400526. This one being #372312.

[Lapa]

I have been informed that this is the lowest known number of the 'offset' variation. This is number 118019

Elvtars,

That is a very nice excentric OPW, in great shape. Congratulations,

Marc