Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest award that could be bestowed by the state to a civilian or soldier. It largely replaced the Order of Lenin which could be given for feats that did not qualify as heroic. During the lifepan of this award there were more than twelve thousand awarded with most coming during World War II. There were a few individuals who received it multiple times (although only rarely more than twice). An interesting group of recipients are the Soviet cosmonauts. It was also given to Leon Trotsky's assassin which is a little ironic. The first recipient was a little more deserving. Anatoly Vasilyevich Liapidevsky took part in an arctic rescue of the crew of a doomed ship. He landed on a man made air strip on floating ice and ferried the ship's crew to a safe return. The aviator eventually was promoted in his career to the rank of Major General of the Soviet Air Force. Interesting for those familiar with the trials and tribulations of fighting a war in Afghanistan, the Soviets decade long struggle in that country resulted in sixty-five awards being presented. With the fall of the Soviet Union the award was discontinued although it was replaced by awards such as the "Hero of the Russian Federation". The remainder of these auctions were among the best selling eBay auctions for the Russian category.
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ITALIAN DAGGER, ITALIAN KNIFE, MVSN, FASCIST
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Italian L3/33 (CV-33), Flamethrower variant at the Bovington Tank Museum
The PAI Polizia Africa items are reminders of the Italian colonial past in Africa. The PAI was a formed in 1939 and stood for the Police of Italian Africa. They were equipped with light weapons including armored cars and motorcycles. They also employed some tankettes which were a unique but mostly unsuccessful weapon used during the war. These small tanks did not have a true tank gun but usually were equipped with a machine gun, grenade launcher or flame thrower. They would be manned with one or sometimes two operators. The concept failed because ultimately the weak armor was no match for more sophisticated weapons. In the PAI the tankette of choice would have been the Itallian L3 (photo here from Wikipedia).
Checking in on some nice Italian items that sold recently on eBay its clear that there has been some spirited bidding lately. Each of these top picks gathered more than a dozen bids on there way to making the list.
ITALIAN DAGGER, ITALIAN KNIFE, MVSN, FASCIST
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Ymca Victory Liberty Loan Bond Posters is a really neat World War II item. This poster is a representation of the Second Liberty Bond between the people of United States and the government. The liberty bond is the investment any American can contribute for the freedom of the United States during the times of conflict dating back to the early 20th century. It is a war bond that supported the men who were fighting for victory in the war and at the same time a symbol of financial security among the citizens. The loan offered a four percent interest which was redeemable for ten years. Subscribing to the war bond is a sign of patriotism.
Another item which is also of great value is the US WWII M1 Helmet - Original Medic Helmet! It is a one of the historical relics which is very difficult to be found nowadays. This medic helmet is approximately thirty years in age. It is one hundred percent original and untouched battle field relic. This historical piece has been found in Arlon, a Walloon Municipality under the Province of Luxembourg, in the country of Belgium. The M1 fixed bails steel helmet contains the desirable Geneva symbols of the US Medical Corps. It also has a symbol of Red Cross in uncommon white square. Another extraordinary feature of the said helmet is the chinstraps stitching that had been cut. It contained a liner which is sea man paper mid war production with only on laundry. No wonder this item got the highest bids in the list!
One more memorabilia of the World War II Hot Items that is difficult to find are the ones used with Navy Seals. The whole kit contains items which are very rare yet, in excellent condition. The kit has an MLCS deployment bag, Rhodesian Reconnaissance Vest, H-Gear, and Plate Carrier Vest with black buckles, M9 Double Mag Pouch, M9 Double Mag Pouch with inserted kyndex, Butt pack - Black Buckles, Medical Kit Pouch, Gas Mask Container, Utility Pouch, High Ride Holster SIG, Admin Pouch, MAP Pouch, and a small backpack. It also contains two pieces of M4 Single Mag Pouch, M4 Triple Mag Pouch,M9 Single Mag Pouch, M9 Single Mag Pouch with inserted kyndex, Double Frag Grenade Pouch with Black Buckles, Double 40mm Grenade Pouch, Triple 40mm Grenade Pouch, Saw (M249) Ammo Pouch, Shoulder Pad. It has three pieces of M4 Double Mag Pouch, Pop Flare Pouch - Black Buckles, a rare MBITR Radio Pouch with black buckles. It also has four pieces of1 Quart Canteen Pouch, Single Frag Grenade Pouch - Black Buckles, M60 Ammunition Pouch - Black Buckles, and M14/SR25 Double Mag Pouch.
Be sure to check out the rest of the featured items below.