Fake "Defense of" Campaign Medals

[meyerse]

I'm certainly not as optimistic about the Odessa. I've seen a wave fakes that look very similar.

What are the measurements?

Odessa appears correct sized? diameter 32.08mm and thickness 2.71 across the middle?

[CtahhR]

The last fake Odessa I handled was so good it was only 0.01mm undersized I believe - even the cast examples are getting better.

An exceptional source is always needed.

[cabbell2207]

Thinking of buying this one but im really new at this.what do you guys think? Thanks

[USSR]

Thinking of buying this one but im really new at this.what do you guys think? Thanks

The pictures are of bad quality but I think the medal is ok. Need better pictures to be sure though.

[cabbell2207]

The pics are horrible.there the only ones i could get.i was leaning towards it being good but was not sure.thanks

[cabbell2207]

Here is another Stalingrad i picked up what do you guys think.thanks

[Thomas Bendixen]

Hi everyone

Was lucky to win this, my first Odessa medal, from E-medals site, and think its a good one, please write if you don't think its genuine. Unfortunatly the ribbon and plate replaced.

Should I be worried about the eyelet being soldered a bit to the left and not exactly over the "HY" in "оборону"? The ring hasn't been resoldered.

Cheers Thomas

[CtahhR]

Unfortunately I don't share the opinion. I believe using digital callipers will show this to be on the ever so slightly small side.

The site to which you refer is certainly not a guarantee of purchasing an authentic item. I have seen many fake items over the years (not listed as fakes) and even bought a fake from them once (it was a lot and I knew that item was fake so it was of no concern to me).

[Thomas Bendixen]

Hi Ctahhr

Your absolutely right that no dealer is to be trusted 100%. That said I took my chances on this one as it is the most detailled I have seen. I have no problem with returning it if fake (so fire away) I don't want questionable pieces in my collection.

You mention in an above posting that originality comes down to 1/100 part of a milimeter, which, besides scarying me, as I imagine that simple wear can take of a few 1/100 mm on most medals? Also I reckon that measureing correctly down to 1/100 milimeter on different equipment would need a professional metrologist.

Well for what its worth, out of four measurements with my newly bought (20 euro) digital caliper made by "Raze" I get diameter between 32,2 mm and 32,17 mm. My manual caliper measures it to be aproximatly 32,2 mm. Thickness is between (digital) 2,5-2,8 mm. The highest number being measured over the soldiers shoulders. Weight on my digital scale made by "My Weigh" is 16,3 gr. medal and eyelet alone. Weight with post war suspension and suspension ring its 21,5 gr.

I have made a better obverse scan, please let me know if I should focus on some specific part of the medal.

Thanks for your time helping me:-)

Cheers Thomas

[CtahhR]

The wear, that takes diameter away, will usually leave considerably more wear the the obverse and reverse.

If this was one of my own purchases, it would be going back. They are somewhat reasonable with refunds. (I've had refunds from them before - not always easy but it has happened)