Fake KGB and "Egg" Badges

[desantnik]

House fire, robbery, drinking too much...

[deValcourt]

This one is another beauty of a replica from the same seller who has the NKVD "academy" badge. I'm actually considering making an offer on this one (substantially lower than the $499 asking price).:rolleyes:

Note: if you know me at all, you will know I'm not about to shell out this kind of money for a reproduction, no matter how nice.;) But nice it is...down to the silversmith marks that make Alexei angry because somebody will eventually try to pass these items off as real.:( If it were real, I'd probably sell 99 percent of my collection to get it because this is exactly the Holy Grail of badges in my world!!

The link with the other badge and more comments about the subject of high-quality reproductions of next to impossible to find originals: http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/sovie...ges-6.html

Phillip

[Lapa]

Phillip,

As an indication to help you prepare your offer, these (and similar) usually sell in the $100~150 here.

Marc

[deValcourt]

Okay, this one has me at a loss. If it is genuine, then it is the first one I've ever seen. First off, my experience has been that only the MMD minted the KGB anniversary badges for the All-Union level, but there is no reason to think the LMD was forbidden from doing so especially for the Leningrad KGB District branch (as it says in the inside of the award box - next post).

Though I've heard of the non-blue bordered badges that look like the 50th and 60th anniversary badges, this is the first I've even heard, much less seen a blue ribbon despite it making more sense than the red ones actually on the other types.

I will be watching this one, but there are a few questions for the seller I have about it. With the awardee's name engraved on the award box cover and all the other factors taken into consideration, I think it is safe to assume this could be just another "regional" example of a KGB award - quite interesting.:D

Phillip

[deValcourt]

The award box (something else I've never seen before - at least like this one with Dzerzhinsky's profile and recipient's name (Col. I.S. Simak)). As I said in the previous post, just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it isn't so.

Besides, the tip about it came from a trusted friend.:thumbsup

Though I'm excited by the possibility, I am paranoid because the seller is in Estonia - known for high-quality and numerous fakes (and for Pete's sake, I'm not accusing all Estonians of forgery :rolleyes:).

Phillip

[Lapa]

Phillip,

Definitely not my area of specialty, but I don't like this set very much.

Marc

[deValcourt]

Phillip,

Definitely not my area of specialty, but I don't like this set very much.

Marc

This is supposed to be my area, but there are so many variables and unrecorded or undocumented materials that this "area" is not unlike "Area 51" in terms of speculation, wild theories and fakes trying to make a buck off of suckers.;)

I know there are other variations that were issued locally, especially of the 50th badge. I want to believe. I really do; but like Marc, I have my doubts. You can see in my previous post where I tried to talk myself into believing this was a likely possibility.

Simply put, the badge looks a bit too bland for even the Leningrad KGB. The lack of silver-plating is a big problem for me regardless of which mint allegedly produced it. Moreover, the LMD mint mark looks a bit off to me as well.

And finally, the biggest problem (and this has nothing whatsoever to do with the kindness of the great guy who brought this one to my attention) is that the seller responded to my requests for better pictures in gibberish about "adding more pictures already." Perhaps he only had the first two pictures originally, but I asked for closeups of the enamel especially around the "ВЧК-КГБ" zone and I'm getting no cooperation.:( Sellers should know that sort of behavior is not to be tolerated. It makes them look like they are hiding something (and usually are :rolleyes:).

And lest we forget it is coming from a known center of fake KGB items.:thumbsdown

However, perhaps there is someone out there who might "note well" to give us an opinion after handling many more authentic KGB and other security service badges than I would dare dream - though, he's been conspicuously absent lately and perhaps very busy.:) [We need a shrugging "smiley" as in: "Oh well, so be it."]

I'm watching the one bid to see where it goes.

Phillip

[ANZAC]

Perhaps Marc can tell us why he doesn't like it? and also it doesn't bode well if the seller won't co operate. This is not my area either, but the seller has a good rep.

[EricFG]

Simply put, the badge looks a bit too bland for even the Leningrad KGB. The lack of silver-plating is a big problem for me regardless of which mint allegedly produced it. Moreover, the LMD mint mark looks a bit off to me as well.

The rear patina is what jumps out at me as being too even and therefore suspect.

And finally, the biggest problem is that the seller responded to my requests for better pictures in gibberish about "adding more pictures already." Perhaps he only had the first two pictures originally, but I asked for closeups of the enamel especially around the "ВЧК-КГБ" zone and I'm getting no cooperation.:( Sellers should know that sort of behavior is not to be tolerated. It makes them look like they are hiding something .

I should add that I get the same response, often, from sellers of minor, legitimite items. So while it might be an indication of suspect behavior it also shows how lazy many of us are. ;)

And lest we forget it is coming from a known center of fake KGB items.:thumbsdown

The ol' Baltic Mint... I wonder if they're hiring, I'd love to get a job there. :)

The more I read about these badges the more I want to get one. A good one, that is. :p

[Lapa]

I should add that I get the same response, often, from sellers of minor, legitimite items. So while it might be an indication of suspect behavior it also shows how lazy many of us are. ;)

Eric,

When a bugger asks you for 150 detailed scans of a $0.25 badge, I can understand that you send him play marbles, and I would most likely encourage and applaud. Now, when you are dealing with higher-end stuff that carries a substantial price tag, this attitude is simply not acceptable. If you are serious about selling and what you are selling, then it comes with the job. In this case, I do not even give the benefit of the doubt to such a seller: he doesn't want to show me what I need to see because he knows that what he sells is not the real enchilada (sorry guys, I've been hanging in the SF Mission District for waaaaaay too long... :D).

Perhaps Marc can tell us why he doesn't like it? and also it doesn't bode well if the seller won't co operate. This is not my area either, but the seller has a good rep.

Brendan,

I'll start by the end here. EBay reputation is, well, I am not sure how to put it mildly, but let's just say, at best, questionable. Known peddlers of fakes proudly display a 100% feedback level. The eBay system is flawed from conception, so relying on feedback remains an exercise somewhat alike playing Russian roulette.

Now, why don't I like this set. First and foremost, some sort of uneasy gut feeling (I know, not very scientific, but this "gut feeling" has so far kept me mostly out of major boo-boo). Now, to be more constructive, here are some more concrete points:
. the "certificate" has an inkjet/laser printing appearance, using an unusual font-type and iconography
. the box is definitely not a MD product
. overall manufacture quality for a LMD product is off IMHO, especially for an order from such a high-end organization
That may not amount to much, but if it were my money, I would not put it in this "thing" :thumbsdown

Marc