<![CDATA[The Soviet Military Awards Page Forum - Miscellaneous Questions]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:56:22 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Soviet Flag]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Soviet-Flag Mon, 28 Apr 2014 23:11:01 +0000 TakeshiKovacs]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Soviet-Flag <![CDATA[Fake Stalin Bust.]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Fake-Stalin-Bust Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:07:02 +0000 KDVR]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Fake-Stalin-Bust
Please write me your opinion.

Thank you!

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Please write me your opinion.

Thank you!

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.jpg   b7e2bef6fc718fcc851295b767a67bb3.jpg (Size: 37.5 KB / Downloads: 13) ]]> <![CDATA[NKVD Watches and Cameras]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-NKVD-Watches-and-Cameras Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:50:12 +0000 Will]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-NKVD-Watches-and-Cameras
Similarly, I also frequently see offered for sale wristwatches that are supposed to be "vintage" and which, on the face, has a color rendering of the NKVD "egg".

The cameras are a complete mystery to me, and I have always assumed that the watches were fantasy items, since I couldn't imagine a Chekist walking around wearing one of them. But I thought that I would raise the subject here.
Is there any legitimacy to the cameras? Or is "NKVD" description simply being used by sellers because they were made at the Dzherzhinsky facory?
Were there actually wristwatches of the 1930's or 1940's that bore an NKVD designation on their faces (as opposed to the possibility of an actual award watch that might be engraved with a presentation)?]]>
Similarly, I also frequently see offered for sale wristwatches that are supposed to be "vintage" and which, on the face, has a color rendering of the NKVD "egg".

The cameras are a complete mystery to me, and I have always assumed that the watches were fantasy items, since I couldn't imagine a Chekist walking around wearing one of them. But I thought that I would raise the subject here.
Is there any legitimacy to the cameras? Or is "NKVD" description simply being used by sellers because they were made at the Dzherzhinsky facory?
Were there actually wristwatches of the 1930's or 1940's that bore an NKVD designation on their faces (as opposed to the possibility of an actual award watch that might be engraved with a presentation)?]]> <![CDATA[Serial-numbered combat medals]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Serial-numbered-combat-medals Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:38:32 +0000 Shocktrooper]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Serial-numbered-combat-medals
here come images of medals I have been offered yesterday. I know that the images are far from good, but what do you think anyway ?

(The two serial-numbered combat medals are said that they were given to one person... but who knows in these days !?)

Jens*

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here come images of medals I have been offered yesterday. I know that the images are far from good, but what do you think anyway ?

(The two serial-numbered combat medals are said that they were given to one person... but who knows in these days !?)

Jens*

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We had our yearly market here in Gdansk, Poland and one thing I came across were "dogtags" sold by a guy that digs for metal items. I was told they came from along the Odre river and am wondering about them.

I bought all he had for about 60zl ($22) so I don't know if I got ripped off or was just lucky.

Opinions.

Oh, and if they are real, any information about them would be great!!!

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We had our yearly market here in Gdansk, Poland and one thing I came across were "dogtags" sold by a guy that digs for metal items. I was told they came from along the Odre river and am wondering about them.

I bought all he had for about 60zl ($22) so I don't know if I got ripped off or was just lucky.

Opinions.

Oh, and if they are real, any information about them would be great!!!

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Any kind of information will be appreciated! Thank you!

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Any kind of information will be appreciated! Thank you!

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.jpg   89188573.jpg (Size: 47.13 KB / Downloads: 22) ]]> <![CDATA[More popular fantasy fakes?]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-More-popular-fantasy-fakes Wed, 06 Apr 2011 04:39:15 +0000 deValcourt]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-More-popular-fantasy-fakes
I've seen many fakes and fantasy KGB table/desk medals, but since I'm not aware of any KGB desk medal resource - especially when it came to republican versions, I have to rely on quality of design, whether I've seen it before as a known authentic item and you guys and your keen eyes.

So here are a pair of alleged KGB desk medals. The first I've never seen before. The second I've seen before from this same seller and I don't think it has ever moved for him. I have more doubts about the second than the first, but that does not make either of them good.

Thoughts?

Phillip

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I've seen many fakes and fantasy KGB table/desk medals, but since I'm not aware of any KGB desk medal resource - especially when it came to republican versions, I have to rely on quality of design, whether I've seen it before as a known authentic item and you guys and your keen eyes.

So here are a pair of alleged KGB desk medals. The first I've never seen before. The second I've seen before from this same seller and I don't think it has ever moved for him. I have more doubts about the second than the first, but that does not make either of them good.

Thoughts?

Phillip

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.jpg   k 410.79 TM 60 An Contr Intel Service 2[1].jpg (Size: 29.06 KB / Downloads: 7) ]]> <![CDATA[Soviet/Russian Medal collecting being ruined]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Soviet-Russian-Medal-collecting-being-ruined Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:45:51 +0000 Henry Sakaida]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Soviet-Russian-Medal-collecting-being-ruined
In talking with alot of collectors on fakes, I learned alot. Alot of high end collectibles are being faked in China. The Chinese are making copies of high end Soviet orders and medals, as well as German/Nazi medals.

But it doesn't stop there. They are also making superb and hard-to-detect copies of US Morgan and Peace silver dollars, gold coins, and gold bars. When counterfeiting gold medals and coins, the base metal is tungsten, which has almost the same weight as real gold, and can be gold-plated. They have been selling "gold" coins and bullion bars on ebay. You have to be nuts to buy such items from dealers.

The word in the US coin collectors world is that Chinese copies is destroying the coin collecting hobby all over the world. They have master craftsmen who can produce near perfect or perfect copies. Tourists in China think they are buying real antiques in shops when almost all of them are fake. The government doesn't care. Best place to unload fakes? Online auction.

But the biggest shock of all came when I talked with a guy waiting at the airport, who was going home. I told him about a certain dealer there who was selling Nazi medals for $$$$$$$$. He took me aside and said, "I used to work for him. Not all of his stuff is real. He gets them made in Israel by a master jeweler and they are perfect copies. He will melt down real German medals to get the correct silver/gold content.

How do you protect yourself? Simple. Do business with only the people you trust, and study your specialty! Know how the fakers do it, real vs fake patina, etc. If you plan to spend serious money, you better become an expert! Anyone can become an expert...all you have to do is study, study, and study.

Good luck out there.]]>
In talking with alot of collectors on fakes, I learned alot. Alot of high end collectibles are being faked in China. The Chinese are making copies of high end Soviet orders and medals, as well as German/Nazi medals.

But it doesn't stop there. They are also making superb and hard-to-detect copies of US Morgan and Peace silver dollars, gold coins, and gold bars. When counterfeiting gold medals and coins, the base metal is tungsten, which has almost the same weight as real gold, and can be gold-plated. They have been selling "gold" coins and bullion bars on ebay. You have to be nuts to buy such items from dealers.

The word in the US coin collectors world is that Chinese copies is destroying the coin collecting hobby all over the world. They have master craftsmen who can produce near perfect or perfect copies. Tourists in China think they are buying real antiques in shops when almost all of them are fake. The government doesn't care. Best place to unload fakes? Online auction.

But the biggest shock of all came when I talked with a guy waiting at the airport, who was going home. I told him about a certain dealer there who was selling Nazi medals for $$$$$$$$. He took me aside and said, "I used to work for him. Not all of his stuff is real. He gets them made in Israel by a master jeweler and they are perfect copies. He will melt down real German medals to get the correct silver/gold content.

How do you protect yourself? Simple. Do business with only the people you trust, and study your specialty! Know how the fakers do it, real vs fake patina, etc. If you plan to spend serious money, you better become an expert! Anyone can become an expert...all you have to do is study, study, and study.

Good luck out there.]]> <![CDATA[Soviet RKKA General or Bulgarian - or neither?]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Soviet-RKKA-General-or-Bulgarian-or-neither Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:56:25 +0000 deValcourt]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Soviet-RKKA-General-or-Bulgarian-or-neither
The seller says: "...this belt USSR Russia General" and the listing says RKKA. Anyway, I still don't recall seeing these in the Soviet army, but uniforms are a relatively new interest to me (and typically just a specific set of organizations' uniforms from certain periods).

Anyone know anything about this? Since the seller says he's in Moscow, I don't see how he can sell this or many of the other items he has listed legally...if they are authentic.:(

Phillip

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The seller says: "...this belt USSR Russia General" and the listing says RKKA. Anyway, I still don't recall seeing these in the Soviet army, but uniforms are a relatively new interest to me (and typically just a specific set of organizations' uniforms from certain periods).

Anyone know anything about this? Since the seller says he's in Moscow, I don't see how he can sell this or many of the other items he has listed legally...if they are authentic.:(

Phillip

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.jpg   393761022_o[1].jpg (Size: 69.47 KB / Downloads: 2) ]]> <![CDATA[Fake Research?]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Fake-Research Sat, 25 Dec 2010 23:56:25 +0000 Eryk]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Fake-Research
Quote:“By the way, I have even seen fake research, in which the UK was altered to match the SN of awards available...”

The unfortunate Pobeda seems to be a victim of fraud, as well too many of us are familiar with. What leaped out at me rather than the awards, though, was the documentation. Put my thoughts together to one of the resident experts in this:

“I've seen archival lists with different handwriting, indicating that an award was added after it was originally filled out, but never have I seen the signature, date, etc at the bottom of the document not match the 'original' (ie, the first part of the list), award list handwriting. This looks as if the top portion was filled out, but not signed and dated (plus the other writing), then when the OG II was added the bottom was also filled out. This makes me suspect it's a fake - the bottom of the real document was cut off (digitally if not in real life), and a new bottom portion appended.

As well it's odd (to me), that the "7" in the date on the award list is the same (unique?) style as the "7" in the order book. Was the paperwork filled out all at the same time, by the same person, historically?

Lastly, shouldn't the date of benefits in the order book be mid 1943, the date of the first award being given?

I'm no expert! And I know it. But one of my great fears over the years, never mentioned, is that in this day and age someone will get the bright idea to go into the archives, get legitimate documentation, then using a combination of pen, printer, copier and digital photo technology create "research" that is actually fraudulent. With that they would forge awards, award books, etc, to match and be "proven authentic" by the archival "documentation." A nightmare! Is this group evidence of that? Or am I fearful over nothing?”

Not over nothing I guess... :-( Thoughts from others who value research?]]>
Quote:“By the way, I have even seen fake research, in which the UK was altered to match the SN of awards available...”

The unfortunate Pobeda seems to be a victim of fraud, as well too many of us are familiar with. What leaped out at me rather than the awards, though, was the documentation. Put my thoughts together to one of the resident experts in this:

“I've seen archival lists with different handwriting, indicating that an award was added after it was originally filled out, but never have I seen the signature, date, etc at the bottom of the document not match the 'original' (ie, the first part of the list), award list handwriting. This looks as if the top portion was filled out, but not signed and dated (plus the other writing), then when the OG II was added the bottom was also filled out. This makes me suspect it's a fake - the bottom of the real document was cut off (digitally if not in real life), and a new bottom portion appended.

As well it's odd (to me), that the "7" in the date on the award list is the same (unique?) style as the "7" in the order book. Was the paperwork filled out all at the same time, by the same person, historically?

Lastly, shouldn't the date of benefits in the order book be mid 1943, the date of the first award being given?

I'm no expert! And I know it. But one of my great fears over the years, never mentioned, is that in this day and age someone will get the bright idea to go into the archives, get legitimate documentation, then using a combination of pen, printer, copier and digital photo technology create "research" that is actually fraudulent. With that they would forge awards, award books, etc, to match and be "proven authentic" by the archival "documentation." A nightmare! Is this group evidence of that? Or am I fearful over nothing?”

Not over nothing I guess... :-( Thoughts from others who value research?]]> <![CDATA["German made" NKVD holster]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-German-made-NKVD-holster Sat, 09 Oct 2010 06:56:11 +0000 deValcourt]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-German-made-NKVD-holster
The seller claims it is a "tribute" holster made for the NKVD and the infamous Tokarev TT33 pistol. Now what makes it so interesting:rolleyes: is that he says it was made in Germany in 1949.

Granted, there were some shady deals going on between the NKVD and the nazis before the Soviets got dragged into the war - the Gestapo was allegedly founded on the basis of the NKVD even. Moreover, the NKVD was especially keen on getting their hands on Soviet POWs and German records of these POWs. However, what is the likelyhood of having a defeated Germany produce a "tribute" holster for the very organization most feared by them? Oh, and the NKVD had been renamed the MVD since 1946.

This smacks of those so-called NKVD medals that have the soldier firing his rifle from the reverse of the XX RKKA medal with the NKVD's sword and shield "egg" motif on the reverse.:mad:

I should also add that this unbelievably rare item can be bought for less than $40.

Phillip

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The seller claims it is a "tribute" holster made for the NKVD and the infamous Tokarev TT33 pistol. Now what makes it so interesting:rolleyes: is that he says it was made in Germany in 1949.

Granted, there were some shady deals going on between the NKVD and the nazis before the Soviets got dragged into the war - the Gestapo was allegedly founded on the basis of the NKVD even. Moreover, the NKVD was especially keen on getting their hands on Soviet POWs and German records of these POWs. However, what is the likelyhood of having a defeated Germany produce a "tribute" holster for the very organization most feared by them? Oh, and the NKVD had been renamed the MVD since 1946.

This smacks of those so-called NKVD medals that have the soldier firing his rifle from the reverse of the XX RKKA medal with the NKVD's sword and shield "egg" motif on the reverse.:mad:

I should also add that this unbelievably rare item can be bought for less than $40.

Phillip

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.jpg   dsc02638[1].jpg (Size: 68.96 KB / Downloads: 12) ]]> <![CDATA[how to know enamel is "cold" or "hot"?]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-how-to-know-enamel-is-cold-or-hot Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:24:47 +0000 claretbaron]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-how-to-know-enamel-is-cold-or-hot
how to know enamel is cold or not? have any easy way to find out?

thank you]]>
how to know enamel is cold or not? have any easy way to find out?

thank you]]> <![CDATA[Proof at the Voyentorg?]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Proof-at-the-Voyentorg Sat, 22 May 2010 12:23:58 +0000 Koba64]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Proof-at-the-Voyentorg

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When questioned he took to his toes and ran off. The full story, the medals, the wife, the lies and e-bay can be read here;

SAS imposter Roger Day, medals bogus, Earl Shilton, leicestershire

My question concerns Soviet awards, the veteran when he either added to his collection or was simply making a new ribbon bar would order his ribbons from the Voyentorg, would he have to present his award book to show he was eligible?]]>

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When questioned he took to his toes and ran off. The full story, the medals, the wife, the lies and e-bay can be read here;

SAS imposter Roger Day, medals bogus, Earl Shilton, leicestershire

My question concerns Soviet awards, the veteran when he either added to his collection or was simply making a new ribbon bar would order his ribbons from the Voyentorg, would he have to present his award book to show he was eligible?]]> <![CDATA[Dubious Ribbon Bar?]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Dubious-Ribbon-Bar Fri, 14 May 2010 11:14:32 +0000 Koba64]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Dubious-Ribbon-Bar
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This one seems to me to be very odd, more than just an incorrectly assembled ribbon bar.

I've not photographed it yet but the construction is actually very nicely backed felt. If it did prove to be a fantasy I'd be quite happy as it fits in with my photographic project and academic article very nicely.

Would anyone be able to suggest their concerns or issues please?

Cheers.]]>
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This one seems to me to be very odd, more than just an incorrectly assembled ribbon bar.

I've not photographed it yet but the construction is actually very nicely backed felt. If it did prove to be a fantasy I'd be quite happy as it fits in with my photographic project and academic article very nicely.

Would anyone be able to suggest their concerns or issues please?

Cheers.]]> <![CDATA["Admiral" caps]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Admiral-caps Thu, 06 May 2010 16:55:41 +0000 jupikos]]> https://soviet-awards.com/forum/Thread-Admiral-caps
What do you say about this cap?

Real admiral caps has a gold stripe at the edge and captain caps has metal leaves.

I have seen this type of cap in size 55 and "mint" condition on the Ebay many times the last time.

Examples:
Original Soviet Admiral Parade Dress Black Hat/Obsolete - eBay (item 320524252858 end time May-28-10 09:09:23 PDT)

Original Soviet Admiral Parade Dress Hat+Extra Top/USSR - eBay (item 320527601950 end time Jun-04-10 10:45:51 PDT)

Regards from Per

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What do you say about this cap?

Real admiral caps has a gold stripe at the edge and captain caps has metal leaves.

I have seen this type of cap in size 55 and "mint" condition on the Ebay many times the last time.

Examples:
Original Soviet Admiral Parade Dress Black Hat/Obsolete - eBay (item 320524252858 end time May-28-10 09:09:23 PDT)

Original Soviet Admiral Parade Dress Hat+Extra Top/USSR - eBay (item 320527601950 end time Jun-04-10 10:45:51 PDT)

Regards from Per

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