Limits to research?

[W. C. Stump]

All of the Soviet Orders and Medals of high rarity that I have purchase came with full documentation from McDaniels and with research. however, I have purchased a few with only certification from McDaniel that the item is original. My question is how can I have the items researched and who is the best source to go to for that service? A perfect example is my Order of Kutuzov, 2nd Class that is posted here on the forum which has no response to my plea for information.

[Art]

W.C., try contacting Ed and Alexei..they both have experience in this. If you do have the research done, I'm sure the forum would like to hear the complete process from start to finish.

Art

[W. C. Stump]

I have and thanks for the advise.

[new world]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all very much for great info on research!

Some of you mentioned that quality of the research depends on your source in Russian archives.

In relation to this situation - what worries me is that with fakes being so widespread (documents including) - you have to trust your people quite a bit not to feed you with some bogus info on veterans who never existed.

Any advise how to deal with such situation? Is there a way to double-check the research?

Thank you!

[Nota Bene]

New World,

So far I've never heard of falsified researches or archive documents. If you have doubts about the information you have you may order another research through another dealer, who will do it through a different source, but from the same archive in Podolsk.

Since Art had already mentioned it, I offer research services, but Ed is faster and is the person to turn to.

Alexei

[otlichnik]

When you order research always specify that you want the photocopies of the Russian-language documents even if you can not read them and ordered an English translation. All the main players offering this service provide those docs. The only way you could have fake research is if you just get the an English translation but not the photocopies of the original Russian files.

Shawn

[Ed Maier]

In all of the research that I have done, I have never seen fake research. I just do not see how it is possible.

Take care,
Ed

[otlichnik]

Ed,

I have never heard of fake research either, but what I mean is that someone, say me for instance, could tell a person that I will research their order and then provide them with just a typed English report which is totally made up. I know enough that I could invent something plausible sounding and no one would be any the wiser without doing a proper research.

This could not happen if the buyer demands to have the photocopies of the Russian docs, hence my warning/advice.

I have yet to hear of this happening but given all the scams and fakes it is only a matter of time.

We know that some people are selling Soviet personnel photos which show someone in uniform with several awards and have their name on the back, along with the medals shown in the picture. The implication, even if not fully stated, is that you are buying that individual's medals.

Shawn

[Ed Maier]

Shawn,

I understand your point, but I have never seen research conducted that didn't include the Russian copies of the research as well. The Russian copies are what you are paying for as a researcher. I hope that no one has ever paid for research without getting the Russian copies.

The issue with the medals and photgraphs really chaps me. I see this done on Ebay all of the time, particularly by one person. I really get your point on this.

Take care,
Ed

[medaldude]

When I send for research I usually do not provide the name, only the medal serial number. Then when the records arrive I would check to make sure the name was correct with what I had. I received the correct records every time.

Has anyone every received research records from Russia that they knew where to the wrong man?

Tom