04-08-2010, 08:42 AM
As I said, there's not much information, resources or reference about this, available internationally. There's even very few people, willing to discuss this, as they do not have a lot of knowledge. Some like partisan stars and some have a few in their collection but that's about it. You can see that on some of the other forums.
I agree about the numbers of awarded partisan stars. It is generally agreed in the references and community that approximately about 10 000 partisan stars 3. class of both types were issued.
We both agree, that a hoard of unissued soviet made pieces was found in Bosnia in nineties.
Furthermore I had a chance to see in person and to inspect about 30 of these pieces at a seller in Bosnia. As I said before, I then bought about 15 of them for a very good price. The seller had more in stock and also told me he can supply even more if I want them. But when inspected by me personally, they were all numbered 8-9 and 17 000 range. Not a single one wasn't in any other range. I also bought more of them at home at different times, and from different sellers and they were also all numbered in 8-9 and 17 range. About 60% of all these pieces were numbered in 8000 range, about 30% of pieces were numbered in 9000 range and about 10% were numbered in the 17000 range. All other partisan stars 3. class are quite harder to find. And they have a few differences, so that a skilful collector can distinguish between them. I managed to find only one piece in 4000 range in my collecting time and it is clearly different from the others mentioned. In the contrary to those from 8-9000 and 17000 it clearly shows signs of wear (as do my 2. classes), like very dark browned screwpost, signs of wear on the screwpost and enamel and all pieces that I consider worn, have nice dark patina. All of the pieces in the 8-9 and 17 range have nice, silver screwpost, perfect enamel and were also at some point after they were found, cleaned of patina and have a more bright finish. The signs of polishing can sometimes be seen, especially on the front side, where it's harder to polish it because of the small places. You can inspect yours if you want and report back it's condition and if it was cleaned or not. Yours looks almost mint. You do not really expect that a piece in such nice condition was worn by a partisan during ww2? All of the pieces that I saw in the "unissued" range were cleaned, and some were even damaged at this. If you want I can photograph mine in 4000 range and you'll see what a worn partisan star should look like...
So all this is why I conclude about the unnisued stock serial number ranges. I have no reference on this, only my personal observations. And you see, that all this is based on years of collecting and inspecting, and I don't like if someone just comes by and marks my writing as rumours and gospels... It is information from personal experience. In the end it is completely your call to decide if all this info makes any sense or not. I cannot back this up by reference.
Also, the ikom made stars did not exist above 10000 but above 20000, where soviet stars end. There were 20000 or 21000 soviet stars made, I need to check for exact info.
Here's an interesting writing in the thread from 2005, that to some extent confirms my writing above. A fellow collector "Dejan" tells something similar about unnisued PS's than I.
"Hi
As we speak about Soviet made Partisan stars III I think that these were awarded even after the war until sixties or maybe latter.IKOM stars were made I guess in sixties or seventies...But what is interesting that we can not connect IKOM made stars whit any award certificate even late one...So who knows what happened and what kind of order was when they awarded these orders.
All these quantities come form Bosnia (Sarajevo) both types Soviet above 8000 and IKOM 21000 and above.The story was that there was definitive last line of defence in former Yugoslavija and place for last stand.All these orders and orders for bravery,peoples merit,medal for bravery and medal for peoples merit were also find in large quantities.And all that stuff was in one of the large bunkers in area around Sarajevo.Maybe true or not who knows?
Regards
Dejan "
And on the pics is all of the stuff from this horde, bought by myself in Sarajevo. Partisan stars in 8000, 9000 and 17000 range, along with mint, unissued orders and medals for bravery, medals for merit to people and even order of labour. I bought all this from the same seller, who had bags, full of this stuff under his table.
On the third pic, you can also see, how all of the partisan stars from this hoard were polished by someone. Note the black rifles and silver frame around the enamel. The frame should also be patinated. If you check your example sn. 8975, you will see the same thing with yours.
I agree about the numbers of awarded partisan stars. It is generally agreed in the references and community that approximately about 10 000 partisan stars 3. class of both types were issued.
We both agree, that a hoard of unissued soviet made pieces was found in Bosnia in nineties.
Furthermore I had a chance to see in person and to inspect about 30 of these pieces at a seller in Bosnia. As I said before, I then bought about 15 of them for a very good price. The seller had more in stock and also told me he can supply even more if I want them. But when inspected by me personally, they were all numbered 8-9 and 17 000 range. Not a single one wasn't in any other range. I also bought more of them at home at different times, and from different sellers and they were also all numbered in 8-9 and 17 range. About 60% of all these pieces were numbered in 8000 range, about 30% of pieces were numbered in 9000 range and about 10% were numbered in the 17000 range. All other partisan stars 3. class are quite harder to find. And they have a few differences, so that a skilful collector can distinguish between them. I managed to find only one piece in 4000 range in my collecting time and it is clearly different from the others mentioned. In the contrary to those from 8-9000 and 17000 it clearly shows signs of wear (as do my 2. classes), like very dark browned screwpost, signs of wear on the screwpost and enamel and all pieces that I consider worn, have nice dark patina. All of the pieces in the 8-9 and 17 range have nice, silver screwpost, perfect enamel and were also at some point after they were found, cleaned of patina and have a more bright finish. The signs of polishing can sometimes be seen, especially on the front side, where it's harder to polish it because of the small places. You can inspect yours if you want and report back it's condition and if it was cleaned or not. Yours looks almost mint. You do not really expect that a piece in such nice condition was worn by a partisan during ww2? All of the pieces that I saw in the "unissued" range were cleaned, and some were even damaged at this. If you want I can photograph mine in 4000 range and you'll see what a worn partisan star should look like...
So all this is why I conclude about the unnisued stock serial number ranges. I have no reference on this, only my personal observations. And you see, that all this is based on years of collecting and inspecting, and I don't like if someone just comes by and marks my writing as rumours and gospels... It is information from personal experience. In the end it is completely your call to decide if all this info makes any sense or not. I cannot back this up by reference.
Also, the ikom made stars did not exist above 10000 but above 20000, where soviet stars end. There were 20000 or 21000 soviet stars made, I need to check for exact info.
Here's an interesting writing in the thread from 2005, that to some extent confirms my writing above. A fellow collector "Dejan" tells something similar about unnisued PS's than I.
"Hi
As we speak about Soviet made Partisan stars III I think that these were awarded even after the war until sixties or maybe latter.IKOM stars were made I guess in sixties or seventies...But what is interesting that we can not connect IKOM made stars whit any award certificate even late one...So who knows what happened and what kind of order was when they awarded these orders.
All these quantities come form Bosnia (Sarajevo) both types Soviet above 8000 and IKOM 21000 and above.The story was that there was definitive last line of defence in former Yugoslavija and place for last stand.All these orders and orders for bravery,peoples merit,medal for bravery and medal for peoples merit were also find in large quantities.And all that stuff was in one of the large bunkers in area around Sarajevo.Maybe true or not who knows?
Regards
Dejan "
And on the pics is all of the stuff from this horde, bought by myself in Sarajevo. Partisan stars in 8000, 9000 and 17000 range, along with mint, unissued orders and medals for bravery, medals for merit to people and even order of labour. I bought all this from the same seller, who had bags, full of this stuff under his table.
On the third pic, you can also see, how all of the partisan stars from this hoard were polished by someone. Note the black rifles and silver frame around the enamel. The frame should also be patinated. If you check your example sn. 8975, you will see the same thing with yours.
