Fake "Defence Of" Campaign Medal Documents.

[desantnik]

What do you look for in fake documents or award books? I see that someone mentioned a general "NKO" stamp instead of a specific stamp. What are the different stamps to look out for? What stamp would be on a Voenkomat booklet versus a regular war-time variety?

Also, how would someone spot a modern-day signed but old and original blank document?

Good questions all. Most stamps were issued by small units or local Party organizations. Similarly voenkomats would also use their own stamps.

Completely fake docs such as color photocopies are rare and are easy to detect due to complete lack of wear. A more common forgery is taking an original issue voenkomat doc and attempting to make it look like a WWII issue. The most common tell-tale is a voenkomat doc will have the date 19__ whereas a WWII doc will usually have 194_. Forgers usually pick NKVD or some other sexy aspect to pull you in.