Received the OPW II I won at the auction last month. Mixed emotions. It’s in beautiful shape; enamel is close to pristine, with only surface scratches, and most of those only visible under my 10x glass. It’s in the T2 V1.7 range according to Filer, but appears to have a straight mintmark, rather than curved up or down. As well, it appears more as a concave reverse rather than a starback, though I’ve seen other starbacks where the star was so faint as to be almost indistinguishable from a concave. It looks more like a T2 V1.8.4., including the single “ray” on the obverse under the sabre handle, though it’s well out of the s/n range for that type according to Filer. Same mint (KMD), chonologically the next production run, and the s/n (166.566) is at the very high end of the range of the earlier type, so it makes sense that it may be an exception to his range. There is massive variation in mint marks and s/n on OPWs, with almost as many exceptions as there are rules around them. There’s no evidence of tampering with the serial number or rivets, the patena is good and consistent.
The citation is good, to a Rifle Battalion commander for operations in July through September 1944 in crossing the Dniester and advancing to the Prut River with the 5th Shock Army. It seems to be a “good job as an officer” award more than anything. He was originally recommended for a Red Banner. That was down-graded to a Red Star, then he was finally awarded the OPW II. The s/n falls right in the range it should, both for time (summer 1944) and location (3rd Ukrainian Front). Overall both the award and the citation appear authentic.
The bad news – there’s no Award Card or other documentation, only the citation. Consequently there is no way to be certain that this OPW II is actually the award given for the citation. Sure, it looks like it should be, given the dates in Echos of War. But ”
looks like” and a four bucks will get you a cup of coffee. This really pisses me off, not least because I should have noticed the lack in the listing! Though it said “copies” from the archives, it ends with “Include citation and ist English translation.” Other listings say “Include, a… b… c…” It doesn’t really mean “includes”, rather “consists of”, as in “all that’s here”! Bad spelling and grammar aside, foolish me to not notice the boilerplate for what it is and figure out what is really meant.
To top it off, shipping and handling was US$25.00. It was packed well, if in used packaging, but shipping and insurance came to well under US$10.00. Another thing not made clear up front, that the price would be padded with an inflated “handling” charge.
Anyway, live and learn. The OPW II itself is great, so I can’t say I’m completely distraught. The citation is cool as well, and I don’t doubt that it’s *believed* to belong with that OPW. Truly mixed feelings here. Don’t think auctions over the net are my thing. Just as I’ll never buy another set of “abridged” research, don’t think I’ll be doing any more bidding where I can’t see, in toto, what’s for sale.
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