Couldn't find my old topic on this fob type piece with the Nord Front badge on it so I'll post a quickie shot of it here and also show the other piece I picked up today.. Theres also shots of this piece on the 'Unusual medals and badges' topic..I've had this for a short while now,,,,

,,,today while trying to find something interesting at a local show I find this!

It has the same Petsamo badge on it and also a different one,,,

,,this piece also made the same way. Near expertly done with a silver wash. Has the original screw attachments on the back and the badges can be removed and worn just as the badge itself!

There was also this Teddy Bear piece. Don't know what it relates to. Maybe a unit emblem?

anyway,,thought you guys would find viewing them interesting ,,and maybe know what the teddy bear is!!
They both are back in their case residing with the other Nord Front and Lapland front badges.

Can't help I'm afraid, but nice items to see.

How is the Nordfront cross held to the fob? I see that there is a square loop type thing but is the cross screwed to that fixing?

Cheers
Don

Gaspare, another great find.
Here is the thread I think you are looking for.
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/m/1840090053

--dj--Joe

Gaspare,

Strike that last question, it was answered in the link Joe posted above. Thanks Joe!

Cheers
Don

I happen to stumble upon a couple mopre of these fob type pieces. Seems they were very popular..

A short one:

These last 2 photos credit : The Military Fundforum.


*and,,a really nice longer one.

One could make quite a collection of all the different enamel badges.

--dj--Joe

Gaspare, did you ever discover any info. on the teddy bear badge?

--dj--Joe

Joe, I was in contact with a guy from Finland for a while. He mentioned he remembered something like a unit having a bear, or teddy bear as a mascot.
Unfortunately lost contact a few months ago when his email seems to no longer function.

*Maybe this bump will jog someones memory! ,,thanks ,G.

*

for any members really into seeing many more examples of these 'fobs' here's a link to the 'German Military Fundforum' which also has a great topic on them!

http://www.militaria-fundforum.de/showthread.php?t=111133


*

Any other examples to share?

--dj--Joe

I for one have always enjoyed this thread. Thought it deserved another view.

--dj--Joe

I don't have any of the watch fob version of this medal or its pins, but I do have some to show here.

John

John, just what I was hoping for. Nice examples. I have not seen the machinegunner badge before.

Regards, --dj--Joe

Of the Nordfront, Lappland and Eismeerfront badges I understand there are four variants of each making 12 that could be collected. Wouldn't that make quite a display.

--dj--Joe

Joe:

I was thinking the same. And, how many of the pins would there be?

John

Not sure how many variants of the pins exsist. I've passed up numerous chances to purchase a variety. Still kicking myself in hindsight .

--dj--Joe

miss the good ole days when the crosses were $100. and the march pins were $20.!,,,yes, kicking myself too...

Nice to see the new additions..........

The way my purchasing power is going the old prices better start returning or I am done.

Got one I can add.

--dj--Joe

I have a couple to add to this thread.

One Eismeerfront Badge, a pickup from the latest SOS.

And, two pins, from a dealer in Europe.

John

Here is a shot of my Finnish collection.. linked to my Norwegian items.

John

Superb additions to a growing collection. I like them all but there is something that draws me to that last small badge.

Thanks for sharing.

--dj--Joe

And another to add.

The Nordfront crosses came in 4 varieties, two white and two black.

I have both whites and now one of the black ones.

John

Here is a medal bar!

Whilst the cross marked "Nordfront" came in 4 varieties, there are actually 12 forms of the design that collectors commonly call the Nordfront cross, 6 white & 6 black;

1. Pohjoisrintama - Die Nordfront 1941-1942. White enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Uhtua-Petsamo".

2. Pohjoisrintama - Die Nordfront 1941-1942. Black enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Uhtua-Petsamo".

3. Pohjoisrintama - Die Nordfront 1941-1943. White enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Uhtua-Petsamo".

4. Pohjoisrintama - Die Nordfront 1941-1943. Black enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Uhtua-Petsamo".

5. Lapinrintama - Die Lapplandfront 1941-1943. White enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Alakurtti-Petsamo".

6. Lapinrintama - Die Lapplandfront 1941-1943. Black enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Alakurtti-Petsamo".

7. Lapinrintama - Die Lapplandfront 1941-1944. White enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Alakurtti-Petsamo".

8. Lapinrintama - Die Lapplandfront 1941-1944. Black enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Salla-Kiestinki-Alakurtti-Petsamo".

9. Jäämerenrintama - Die Eismeerfront 1941-1943. White enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Litsa-Liinahamari-Kirkkoniemi-Petsamo".

10. Jäämerenrintama - Die Eismeerfront 1941-1943. Black enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Litsa-Liinahamari-Kirkkoniemi-Petsamo".

11. Jäämerenrintama - Die Eismeerfront 1941-1944. White enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Litsa-Liinahamari-Kirkkoniemi-Petsamo".

12. Jäämerenrintama - Die Eismeerfront 1941-1944. Black enamel field. Text in Swastika is "Litsa-Liinahamari-Kirkkoniemi-Petsamo".

Hope this is of interest
Don

Don:

I knew that

I have an Eismeerfront Badge in my collection as well. So far, I have 3 Nordfront and one Eismeerfront. Still looking for the other 9.

It can be a long road....

Cheers
Don

BTW, I can count (sometimes).. I have four of the Nordfront Crosses and need 8 more.. yes, a long and winding road.

Here are some Travelling Badges that I picked up as well.

They are a neat adjunct to the battle pins and the crosses.

John

JZ,

Outstanding samples of enamel work, very nice!

Best!

W~

Here are a couple of more examples of travelling badges.

Originally designed for tourists who visited the various locations in Finland, they were also sold to soldiers who considered them neat souvenirs of places they were posted during the war.

At various times during the war, Norwegians, Germans, Swedes and othere wold be fighting or stationed in Finland. Very early on, the Finns fought the Russians with the unofficial aid of Germans, Swedes and Norwegians. Later, the Finns fought alongside the Germans and the Norwegians against the Russians and near teh war's end, the Finns fought the Germans and the Norwegians to free their country from the Germans.

Germany needed the nickle and other minerals found in Northern Finland (especially around the Petsamo area) and tried to hold onto this for as long as possible. Some 50,000 Norwegians fought alongside the Germans, most of them on the Eastern Fron, but a number were stationed in Finland.

Here are som more travel badges.

JOhn

I have also managed to find two examples of my missing Nordfront Cross, the Die Nordfront version in black enamel with the dates of 1941-43.

I now have all four Die Nordfront examples, two in white and two in black. I have one example fo the Eismeerfront badge and none of the Lapplandfront badges.

John

Two more travelling badges:

John

Two new fobs to show you today:

Both were private purchase items with memorial pins for fighting in the regions shown. Iin the interval commemorated here, 1941-42, the Finns, supported by the Germans, Swedes, Norwegians and Danes, fought against the Russians. These items would have been purchased as mementos of the various campaigns by the troops.

The first one has the pin for Finland and the dates 1941 - 1942. It also has pins for Petsamo-Rovaniemi and for Petsamo-Salla-Rovaniemi... this last pin has a neat ski troop pictured.

The second fob has the Finland dated 1941-42 pin as well as pins for Linahamari and Kirkenes-Petsamo-Murmansk.

The Petsamo region was very important for the Germans since it prodcued nickle and iron. Murmansk in Russia was an objective for the Axis forces, one which they never did take, otherwise the Russian war could have gone very differently.

John

Great looking fobs. You are acquiring quite a collection.
I'll keep an eye open for Lapplandfront badges for you.

--dj--Joe

Thanks, Joe.

Yesterday was a good day chez JohnZ. This one arrived from Germany.

It has a different version of the Petsamo Rovaniemi Salla Pin.

John

A couple more.

John

Another view of my 3 Kilpisjarvi pins, the large one is probably a pin for mounting on a car.

John

John, do you feel they are all war period?

--dj--Joe

Joe:

The traveling badges/pins were used before, during and after the war... they may still be today.

But, some, especially the fob ones and a few other ones relating to the key areas that saw heavy fighting, like Petsamo, Salla and Rovaniemi, appear to be more war themed and aimed at the German and Nordic forces that were engaged in these areas.

I think that they are very visually appealing and not very expensive to acquire.

So, for an obsessive-compulsive like me, this is a great area to go crazy in.

John

There were several badges or pins issued by the Nordic countrie to help out Finland in its drawn out war against Russia.

Here are two of them. The first one, the one with the motto : 'Ara, Skyldighet, Vilja' or 'Honour, Duty, Will' was made by Sporring and issued in Sweden.

The second pin, made by david Andersen, was issued in Norway.

John

Nice pieces. Great imagery of strength, solidarity.

Thanks for showing them.

--dj--Joe

During the Finnish war against the Russians, especially in the early years, the largest foreign contingent fighting with the Finns was from Sweden. All of the Nordic countries sent volunteers to join the fight.

These plaques, while designed for the Swedish contingent, were also given to the other countries participants.

There are two versions of this plaque, made by Westins in Stockholm. Here they are.

John

There are actually 3 versions of the collection badge that I know of, two made in Sweden and one made in Norway.

I have just picked up the third version, made by Westins of Stockholm. It is a solid back, whereas the one made by Sporrong is hollow back.

Here are shots of the new one, as well as the three together, from left to right, the Westins solid back, the Sporrong hollow back and the Norwegian David Andersen.

Sort of a convergence of German War History (the fight in Norway and Finland), the Norway in WWII (one of my collecting interests) and the whole Finland at War thing, this book is a history of the northern campaigns by the Wehrmacht from 1940 - 1944. It also has a lot of pictures of the fighting and some great shots of high ranking officials with their uniforms and decorations.

John

Looks to be a really nice book. Great pictures.

--dj--Joe

Eduard Dietl commanded the 3rd Mountain Division that originally captured Narvik, Norway.

He was the first German to be awarded the oak leaves cluster to the Knight's Cross and commanded the 20th Mountain Army on the Northeast front. He fought in Norway, Finland and Russia and died in an airplane crash on the 23rd of June, 1944.

Here is his signed picture.

John

Just so you know someone is still looking, I appreciate your postings to this interesting thread.

--dj--Joe

sadly my small collection of them were badly damaged by flood waters..
.But Dam JohnZ!! that's some great stuff!! great to see it all!

My latest arrival, a travel badge from Akaslompolo.

John

Here is a different version of the Pallas traveling badge.

John

Interesting!

--dj--Joe

And, newly arrived are these two items.

First is a pin from Koli. This one is slightly larger than one that I already have and it has a whit background in the lower left corner. I show the two Koli pins side by side for comparison.

Second is a poor shape ring. But it was made from a traveling pin that is new to me, one to Petsamo. All of the other Petsamo pins that I have also have other cities on them, such as Petsamo-Rovaniemi.

John

The ring looks to have been well worn. Is that the reindeer in dark blue?

--dj--Joe

The Petsamo-Rovaniemi badge has a reindeer, the Petsamo ring looks like a bear (a scrawny underfed one at that) to me.

John

Good stuff! Those small march badges are getting tougher to get!

"Second is a poor shape ring. But it was made from a traveling pin"
I've seen the ring a few times. They looked all the same construction. Pretty sure it is mass produced for retail ring...

Thanks, G.

When I look at the ring, I see that it cannot be made from a traveling badge, but is its own pattern.

John

Cool stuff John.
Interesting to see.

BTTT, for an interesting thread.

Hi guys,
it is not a March Badge for sure, but it has connection to this topic.
Finnish-German friendship bracelet (???) . Purchased it from a German auction house.

If anybody has some information on this, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Janos

No information. A nice piece in very good condition.

--dj--Joe

Like Joe, I have no info on this either.

But, it does look like one of those private purchase German-Finnish friendship bracelets/fobs that were to be found pre war and during the war years.

Nice item in great condition.


John

When I saw this on a German auction site, I knew that I had to have it.

Here is a fob that was definitely war time. These fobs were private purchase items sold to the soldiers who participated in the war against the Russians. Mostly Germans, but there were large contingents of other nationalities, mostly Nordic countries, who were supporting the Finns.

This is a fob with a new and unique travel badge (to me). It has two badges that I have seen before and that are associated with war time frame.

The bottom pin is one for Salla, the middle pin is for the Petsamo-Rovaniemi road.

The top pin is dated 1941-42 and has the towns/regions of Salla-Alakuortti-Kantalahti. This is the pin that I really wanted to add to my collection.

John

Along with the above fob, came 4 other pins.

Two of them were duplicates, one for Salla and one for Alakurtti. Both of these were, in my opinion, war time issues and have appeared on war time fobs or came with other period items. The Alakurtti one, in particular, with its ski troop image is a classic image from the 'War in the High North'.

The other two badges are new to me.

The first is a large pin to Pallas, showing a reindeer in front of snowy mountains. I have two versions of this pin already, but this is a largeer one and has a pin back, not the usual screw back.

The second is a great pin showing a fir tree in front of snowy mountians and has teh dedication to Salla-Alakurtti-Kemijarvi-Kantalahti.

Neat stuff,

John

Great find. Thanks for showing them. The Salla-Alakuortti-Kantalahti pin I have not seen before either. Nor had I ever seen the Salla-Alakurtti-Kemijarvi-Kantalahti pin.

You're going to need a bigger display case soon.

--dj--Joe

yeah John,,some really nice pieces!!! ,

And, Janos,,,that piece is a stunner! , super!

Good catches the both of you,,good to see!

My latest pickup is this Eismeerfront Badge, 1941-43, Black enamel.

Also, my two Eismeerfront badges along with the 4 versions of the Nordfront badge.

Only 6 more to go!

John

Congratulations, you are closing the gap.

--dj--Joe

Joe, but it is such a large gap! It took me almost a year to fnd this one.

And, the white enamel Eismeerfront badges are as rare as hens' teeth.

John

You are doing so much better than I am. It's been over a year without one addition.

--dj--Joe

Thank you, Gaspare!

Here are two new fobs.

The first one has the white Die Nordfront pin 1941-43, a Rovaniemi-Petsamo-Salla pin wiht reindeer hauling a cannon and a Petsamo-Rovaniemi pin showing the road and a reindeer.

The second one has a Finnish bear medal, a Petsamo-Rovaniemi pin same as above and a Salla-Petsamo-Rovaniemi pin showing the roads and the head of a reindeer.

Reindeers were an integral part of the northern campaign in Finland... they were used to haul supplies and munitions where the vehicles could not go because of the terrain and the cold.


John

Interesting that there is a silver hallmark on the revers of the bear above.

And, here are all my fobs and a shot of my fob and travel badge collection.

John

Wow! excellent, I knew they would be in good company!. Boy if these 2 could talk,,they had a hard life here in NY. Hope they fair better up there with you,,enjoy...

Thanks, again, G.

They are in good company... now if I could only find the 6 Nordfront Badges missing from my collection.

J

That's one interesting riker mount.

Thanks for sharing your collection. I will keep an eye out for what you are missing as I scout around.

--dj--Joe

Anyone seen this before?
I got it in my collection

I haven't seen it before, Marius. Looks like a great bracelet.

John

yes a 'friendship' or 'cooperation' type piece. That's really nice! Bet you got some other really nice pieces!

I do. But this is definetly the most special pice I got. I have been trying to do a little research on it, but not much to be found. I will share my findings with you tomorrow.

Heres what I've found about this bracelet. It was apperently available in northern finland in 1943.
Walter rosenwald published a catalog that displays it. And a simmilar piece in poor shape without the bracelet itself was sold at a german auction. Here's a picture from the catalog





Two seperate collectors have tried to buy it from me, saying "name your price" .
But selling this is difficult, since the piece is so rare and in excelent condition.

Marius:

Can you send me a picture of the Walter Rosenwald catalogue that shows the various marching badges?

My e-mail is jsfzeller@hotmail.com

John

A great collection you are developing, thank you for sharing it with us.

Here is a piece that I do not think has been shown here. It's listed on this website for 355 euro! http://www.suedsteiermarkversand.at/inde...rt&Itemid=7

Cheers
Don

Reverse...

Don:

A little rich for an unknown to me item.

John

That would indeed be an interesting catalog to see.

The 43-44 Eismeer Front badge is a looker.

--dj--Joe

Hello.
I don't have the catalogue. Only these two pictures I got from a collector from finland who was trying to buy my friendship badge. I told him it's not for sale, and he wouldn't give me any more info on this

I keep returning to this interesting thread hoping for new additions.

I too keep hoping, Joe.

Here is a new one to me just in from the UK.

It is a travel badge to Olavinlinna.

Travel badges were originally made for tourists pre war as souvenirs of places they had visited. During the war time, these badges were sold to the soldiers, mostly German, who served in Finland as souvenirs.

John

I assume that is a representation of Olavinlinna Castle.

--dj--Joe

I think you are right, Joe.

It has been a while, but I finally found another travel pin to add to my Finland collection.

This pin depicts a polar bear coming out of the water and is from Jaamerentie Ishavsvagen, a tiny place close to Petsamo. This area was handed over to the Russians in the peace agreement of 1940 and is still part of Russia.

Also, a picture of my Finland travel badges and fobs and Nordfront Crosses.

John

Outstanding. Your collection has grown. I imagine it is difficult to add new pieces.

Thanks for sharing. The Ishavsvagen polar bear badge is a first time see for me.

--dj--Joe

I have found it very hard to find these Nordfront badges, especially the Lapplandfront versions.

Well, here is this 1941-44 black centred one for your perusal.

I know that these badges are heavily reproduced and have not seen the rear pin assembly like this one before.

What do you think of this?

John

John,, you have 2 others? h w do the backs match up?

The attachm ent piece is not correct thatsfor sure..

G: I have two Eismeerfront badges that match up.

The bottom pic is the Lapplandfront badge.

well not the exact one but,,

this had a silver wash to the back,,,[a long time ago! went thru the flood!]

my last 2 pieces,,,

reverses,,,

The Eismeerfront and the Lapplandfront badges show the same shape but differ from the Nordfront badges in their shape.

I have also seen different pin configurations on these.

Here are some new travel pins.

Lappeenranta
Inari
Punkaharju
Koli pale blue
Two Koli for comparison
Tornio blue sky
Two Tornio for comparison

5 new ones to add to my collection, including two variations.

john

Another score off fleabay is this fob with three Finnish pins.

A Finnish flag, a Petsamo-Rovaniemi travel pin and a Finnish lion make up this fob.

I think these are neat.

John

Wonderful!

Nice one John really nice! I miss collecting these. There's always seems to be another variation.. Always interesting to see,,,thanks for posting....

They don't come up often, that's for sure.

On this one, I was the only one bidding so I got it for the starting price.

Thanks guys.

A nice addition.

Thanks for keeping us alive!

Not much out there, I saw a Petsamo pin, but no others.

Regards, --dj--Joe

If any is interested, there is a Die Nordfront badge on fleabay right now...not a great deal, but....

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/253013173838?ul_noapp=true

Any new pieces?

Nope. Have potential large Norway lot in the works for this summer.

Hello all !

I've been following this topic for some time now. I have to show something.
Hope this message arrived in the right place

Regards Rainer S

Attachments:

I like it.

If it is for sale, I would like to buy.

John

Hello John,

I'm not seriously thinking about selling this badge, but I'm curious nature, you can send me an email and make a bid for Which I can hardly refuse

I noticed you have the corresponding Lapplandfront badge 1941-44. I have not seen such a nuts in these Badges earlier, but it still does not prove anything.

You could try either "Hopeatakomo Oy" or "Veljekset Sundqvist" nut.
Or Eismeerfront badge 1941-43 / 1941-44 nut without manufacturer marking for it.

I've seen both Lapplandfront and Eismeerfront Badges used at least in these three different kind of nuts.Threads vary by manufacturer.
Manufacturers have vary as well like the "Pohjoisrintama Die Nordfront" Badges. At least according to information that I have collected so far.

This badge came to me with the nut shown in the pictures, but it is also suitable for the "Hopeatakomo Oy" nut as well. I've tried and it works.

Kind regards
Rainer S

Related to the previous image attachments.

Regards Rainer S

Rainer:

I acquired the 41-44 badge knowing that the nut was likely not a correct one for this badge. If a proper one cmoes along, I may look at upgrading to a more 'correct' version, but until then , I am happy to own this anyway.

Your pictures look great. Thank you for showing.

Do you or anyone else know why the white background Lapplandfront and Eismeerfront badges are so hard to find?

John

Hi John,

Just like I bought Lappland 1941-43, probably the wrong nut but the manufacturer is most obviously "Hopeatakomo Oy" in my case.

You are right, these badges are hard to find, so you are lucky to find this (1941-44 Lappland) one. And also both Black Eismeerfront versions

I don?t know why white background Badges are harder to find, I?m sorry but I can?t help on this issue at the moment.

Information these badges are difficult to get: The book by Jani Tiainen is attached. The following link is also interesting.
http://antique-photos.com/en/awards...-finland/383-german-finnish-crosses.html
But these were certainly familiar to you already.

Your message chain has been interesting to follow. I have tried to collect similar kind items like you. I focused mainly Nordfrond badges that are easier to find than Lappland and Eismeer ones.

Regards Rainer S

Just arrived today are these two Finnish fobs.

The first one has two unique (to me) pins along with the pretty standard Petsamo-Rovaniemi one. The two are a new version of the Salla pin with rounded corners and one to the wilderness area of Tuntsa, which is in the municipality of Salla.

The second fob has the new rounded corner Salla pin, along with the standard Petsamo-Rovaniemi one and a red Lion, probably from a coat button.

Here are pictures of these fobs and the pins.

Here is the second fob.

And here are the two Salla pins for comparison, the two lions (blue and red) and my collection of fobs to date.

John

Fobs look great!
In particular, the Tuntsa Badge, I tried to find one for a long time.
It is not too often found, a good catch!
The lion on the red background looks like a ww2 Finnish officer's cap badge.
The lion on the blue background with the Finnish flag, that fob is also very good find and not very often available.

Regards
Rainer S

My latest find "Pohjoisrintama Die Nordfront" 1941-42 Black by "Hopeateos Oy H:ki"

Thank you, Rainer.

That Nordfront badge is a beauty.

John

Thanks to Rainer, I have just acquired this Lapplandfront Badge, dated 1941-43 with the black background.

Here is the badge, along with its 1941-44 brother, also with black background.

John

Hi John !

It looks fine for me I hope you are satisfied with the Badge?

Regards
Rainer S

I am very happy, thank you, Rainer.

John

Hi All,

Maybe you wondering about I'm collecting only Nordfront Badges. And not Lapplandfront or Eismeerfront ones.

There are many reasons:
Nordfront is much cheaper if they can even say cheaply They are easier to find (Not so easy) and there are so many variations of them.

Rarely and harder to find Lapplandfront or Eismeerfront are out of my Wallet.

So far I've been trying to get information about these Badges but it's not so easy:

Manufacturers are at least: Hopeatakomo Oy H:ki, Hopeateos Oy H:ki, HG. Linstrom Helsinki and two other unknown manufacturers to me
whose Badges nuts has no manufacturer mark. The big difficulty are that all manufacturers have not made the markings these nuts of the Badges.

I have also seen these badges nuts whit manufacturer of marking: Veljekset Sundqvist H:ki, J.Ratilainen H:ki, Turun Kultaseppa Oy and Kultakeskus Oy.

At the moment, I was focused on manufacturers of Hopeatakomo Oy H:ki and Hopeateos Oy H:ki.
This work is endless

Regards
Rainer S

Top Hopeakeskus Oy H:ki , Middle Hopeatakomo Oy H:ki and the lower one is HG.Linstrom Helsinki.

Note the differences: capital letters numbers in this case 1941-42, flags shape and swastika background white or gold, coat of arms lion's tail.

Pictures attached.

Rainer:

Here are the backs on my Nordfront badges.

41-42 Black no mark and a different type of nut
41-42 white no nut, but a pin.. probably modified post war
41-43 black
41-43 white

John

I meant this one of the 41-43 white.

Hi John,

Nordfront / Lappland / Eismeer Badges is often a lost nut long ago. Be happy if it comes with the correct or replacement nut.

Fourth of picture is a frequent occurrence in these Badges. Too bad I do not know the manufacturer, at the moment. I will try to find out, even the answer will be in the future.

The fifth picture is interesting, "Barck - Helsinki" was manufacturer of Military decoration brands in Finland. This needs to be further investigated.

Thank you for the pictures

Regards
Rainer S

I Forgot to mention these Badges appear in many variations eg "Hopeatakomo Oy" shown in the first image what I send before.
Available with either this "Hopeatakomo Oy" nut or at least two difrend w/o manufacturer's mark nut what I mentioned before.

The same applies to "Hopeateos Oy H: ki" badge.

These may have the same thread of the screw or not

Previously, I have sent an image of these three White 1941-42 Nordfront Badges. Three different frontsife of the Badges, what I've seen.

That is why I think Nordfront Badges are a very interesting collection area.

Additionally, photo "HG.Linstrom Helsinki vs Hopeatakomo Oy". Completely the same Frontside but Backside they are very different.
The first "HG.Linstrom Helsinki" thread of the screw are thinner and the second "Hopeatakomo Oy" thread of the screw are mutch thicker.
Same front and same Badge by the different manufacturers.

Very confusing or does it?

Regards
Rainer S

Rainer:

Very interesting.

It is hard enough to try to get the various badge versions (dates, white or black backgrounds), but if you factor in the various manufacturers, the possibilities and the number of potential varieties go up exponentially. I can see why you are so interested in these badges.

John

Hi John,

For this reason, I currently focus mainly on "Hopeatakomo Oy" and "Hopeateos Oy H:ki" Nordfront Badges at the moment. Once they have been acquired, I can expand eg the Nordfront Badges produced by "HG.Linstrom Helsinki".

First I try to get all these three different types of Fronts of the Badges on the Timeline 1941-42 and 1941-43. Manufacturers by "Hopeatakomo Oy" and "Hopeateos Oy H:ki". So there are already 12 different kind individual, if I understand correctly.

But the list is endless.

I understand that I can never get all variations. But every time when I find a missing individual what I am looking for at moment, it is great feeling.

Regards
Rainer S

Pinning this remarkable thread to the top.

Link to an older topic.

http://phpstack-500133-1583587.cloudwaysapps.com/~germand2/ubbthreads.php/topics/65399/1.html

Odd, I can't get the link to function properly. It's an interesting thread.

Hi derjager,

I found it, thank you for the great link

Regards
Rainer S

With your permission, I also put the one I have.

I also add some medals Finland

Very nice, Palante.

My latest arrival is this Lapplandfront badge, white front, 1941-44.

Thank you, Rainer,, I now have 3 of the 4 Lapplandfront varieties.

Hello palante125 !

I especially like your Nortfront Badge

Regards
Rainer S

Hi John,

Congratulations

Now there are three Badges from this series, what you not have at the moment.

It just makes it harder to find these Badges, but you already know this.

Regards
Rainer S

Thanks for your opinion Johnz. and I'm glad Rainer s like it. a greeting

To add to my little collection and a big thanks to Rainer, who helped me find these latest items, here is a fob.

It has a smaller version of the Rovaniemi-Petsamo-Salla reindeer pulling cannon pin.. I have a pin that is slightly larger in diameter than this one.

It also has two post war pins, one called Lapin Jalleenrakentaja, or Lappland rebuilding, and one called Opas Guide with the postwar Finland borders.

These travel pins were available before the war, during the war and after the war, so I do not have a war cut off point for collecting these, just a wow point

Here is along with a picture of the two sizes of the first pin (although it is hard to tell on these shots).

So, here is my Finland march badges collection.

Enjoy,

John

Hi John !

That looks like you have a serious collection

I feel dizzy, looks great !

Regards
Rainer S

Johnz, I just have to congratulate you! a very complete and select collection.
Thanks for showing!
Toni

That is dedication. Thanks for showing your collection.

--dj--Joe

Thanks to my good friend Rainer in Finland, I now have found my 4th Lapplandfront badge as well as a new fob and a postwar Finland flag pin.

First up is the Lapplandfront badge dated 1941-43 in white (front and back as well as the 4 Lapplandfront badges together).

Second, is a fob with a red Rovaniemi pin and a red Finnish lion pin.

Up last is a postwar border Finland flag pin (along with a slightly different version of this pin with an ornate border.

J

Hello John,

Your collection received a deserved replenishment !

Regards
Rainer S

,,,that fob is really something! Great catch!!

My latest is this postwar fob with a red lion on shield, but very early post war and dated 1946. I found this on ebay.

I received this and the following items posted here this week.

John

Thanks again to Rainer, I just received these two items:

Alakurtti 1941-42 pin
Die Eismeerfront 1941-44 white badge... I now have three Eismeerfronts and only need the 1941-43 in white to complete all twelve.

John

Very nice collection of finnish badges John!

These pieces looking good of your collection, congratulations on the supplement !


PS. Fobs text translated: "Is?lt? 25.10.1946" = From his father on October 25, 1946


Regards
Rainer S

great stuff John,,really,, probably the best around out there.. well done!

Definitely a dedicated collection. Thanks for sharing with us.

--dj--Joe

Just in from fleabay is this really nicely enameled silver pin for Rovaniemi with the dates of 1937-39 inscribed on the reverse.

Here are my two other Rovaniemi pins as well.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lappland, the northernmost province in Finland:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovaniemi

I am waiting for more travel pins to arrive from a collector friend in Finland and will post them then.

John

Just arrived from Finland are these travel pins:

Borga
Hameenlinna
Hamina
Imatra
Kemi
Kiruna (actually a Swedish town in Lapland)
Kotka
Mikkeli
Naantali Nadendal
Savon Linna

Tampere
Turku Abo
Vaasa Vasa
Vchomicm (??? hard to make this out)
Suomi Map postwar with safety pin back
Compare Suomi maps pre and post war

There are three times for the Lapland war, the Lapin Sota pin and a badge and a pin for Suomen Latu.

It is Christmas in April in the Great White North.

Enjoy,

John

Nice!
Always interesting to see how your collection expands :-)

The text says: "Vehoniemi", at least to my knowledge.

Vehoniemi is a beautiful ridge located near the city of Tampere.

A large part of the ridge is a nature reserve, and there is made of nature trails.
Heikki Tiitola, building builder, built in 1928, located on the site of ridge, and was especially popular in the 1930s.

The house visited eg. Norwegian Crown Prince Olavi in 1936, President Ky?sti Kallio in 1938,
Prime Minister Jukka Rangell and German Gestapo?s Head Heinrich Himmler in 1942.

The Red Tower, in the Badge, still exists.

https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehoniemi

Sorry for the confusion: Vchomicm (??? hard to make this out) = Vehoniemi

Thank you, Rainer.

I had a hard time trying to read the name...as you get older, eyesight is the second thing to go.

John

You're welcome, John. The main thing is that the mystery of the text was solved

I picked this little baby up in Hungary from my friend, Janos. A Nazi German - Finland friendship bracelet, unmarked, but in silver.

John

What a great looking piece! Congrats John

I have finally found the last of the Nordfront badges that I was looking for (a big thank you to my friend in Finland, Rainer).

These were issued as 4 Nordfront, 4 Lapplandfront and 4 Eismeerfront badges and were for the fight against the Russians. Finland fought long and hard with allies such as Germany and the other Scandinavian countries. I got onto these once I found that these badges were given to or purchased by Norwegians who fought alongside the Finns and the Germans.

So, here is my last badge, Die Eismeerfront (Ice Road Front) with the date 1941-43 and with white enamel.

Also, a shot of my four Eismeerfornt badges, plus all twelve together, finally.

The hunt isn't over... I am still looking for many versions of the so-called travel pins from Finland.

Hello John,

Congratulations on your replenishment of the Collection. You're one of those lucky really few people to have this whole series full !

Now that you've got the Nordfront Badges as a whole family. You will probably stop actively collecting Finland-themed characters.
This is understandable when you have spent many years on this issue.

Reading the previous post. Looks like the updates are continuing :)

Best regards
Rainer S

Now that I have finally found the last missing Nordfront badge, I will not stop looking for other Finland and possibly war related items, such as the travel pins.

In fact, you sent me one, that, while it is post war, is definitely war themed. On the face of it, it says Valmius 98, and it was issued in 1998 by the Finnish army Reserve Officer's Club to mark the loss of Petsamo and region.

I also am waiting for another pin that, with the help of our GDC's Gaspare, I found on German fleabay.

Thank you, again, Rainer, you have been a big help to me in my journey.

John

All twelve. That's quite an accomplishment. What's it been close to an eight year quest? I have throughly enjoyed watching you build your collection through the years.
Thanks for sharing.

--dj--Joe

Derjager, my oldest pictures are dated 2010, but I acquired my first one a couple of years prior to that. So, let's say that it has been a 10+ year quest.

Thank you for the kind words.

I enjoy sharing my finds with fellow enthusiasts.

John

John, have you ever read or heard of the reason for the white vs black enamel versions?

--dj--Joe

Joe, I haven't but will ask my Finnish friend.

John

No one I talked to knows why there are white and black variations of each Nordfront badge.

Anyway, just in from German fleabay (thank you for the heads up, Gaspare) is this pin, no writing, just a depiction of a skier.

J

Thanks for checking.

--dj--Joe

Now, this is an interesting travel pin.

It says TSY 1920. On the rear are engraved V 1927 7 7 and Imatra. But the image of the castle on the front is that of Turku Castle.

Thanks to my friend Rainer, I also have pictures of Turku catle, both before and after being bombed by the Russians.

A neat pin.

I showed as pentagon shaped Aavasaksa pin earlier and now have found this round pin. Here are shots of the pin and the two together.

John

variants,,nice John!

, and your TSY 1920 pin,,thats really something,,the pin, engraving, hallmarking,,very nice piece..,G.

Just arrived is this bracelet:

Suomi Deutschland 1940 1943

Finnish bear and German eagle

John

Great looking piece

I agree! Thats really a Fantastic piece!. John you are hunter extraordinaire of these pieces!.
Would be great to find a catalog or even a advert for such fantastic pieces..

John,, I've seen these with the Finn march pins attached, with a chain, a leather strap..A Finn or Norwegian item? Would you know if its anything official? Thanks..

G:

I believe that a lot of these items were not official Finnish military issue, but were created as souvenirs for the participants in the various campaigns in Finland.

I have seen this medal/tinnie before. The Ice Road Front was celebrated by this and other pins (along with the North Front and the Lappland Front).

BTW, I do have some pictures and pamphlets showing some of the Finnish campaign items somewhere, but have to dig them out, maybe take pictures.

J

Here are some pictures of a few booklets/reference pamphlets that I have on Scandinavians fighting on the German side.

Lotta Svard was the name of the Finnish women's auxiliaries. They were so fierce and successful that banning them was a key clause in the peace treaty between Finland and the Soviet Union signed on the 23rd of November, 1944.

Finland at War shows some of the badges and pins from the Winter War (1939-40) and the Continuation War (1941-44).

Volunteers for Germany shows Scandinavian posters, paper docs and pins and badges from the various Scandinavian countries in support of Germany.

J

John,,, those are fantastic!! Really great to see!!
When I collected For.Vol. stuff and occupied area items.. Man !! I had a lot of Finn stuff,,,but some of that stuff is what dreams were made from for me!!

On your 2nd color page,,,#8 & # 24,,would have paid or traded anything to get those 2!!

And page #20,,,those 4 pieces! , same,, all great pieces!.

and last , #5 Tinnie SS day 1943 ....

I know a couple are commemorative and unorthodox,,,but wished I would have had them,,,really great to see , and thanks for posting!!

Here are some of the items show in pics above that I have in my collection (I focus on the German/Norway link to Finland and the war effort).

And, my Germanske SS Norge collection, so far.

Oh man i love that 'Den Norske Legion' pin. That was just an impossible piece to get years ago [and probably still is!] .
SS Germ Norge stuff looking good too.
Congrats great pieces!

Thanks G.

It took a while to find a DNL pin, but I also found a 1970s produced one as well. Her are pics to compare.

J

Some lovely pieces there, I have a Germanske SS Norge pin somewhere, I will see if I can find it. I also the Iceland NS pin shown on page 20 of the booklet you show. Again if I can find the pictures I will post them here later.

In the mean time I just had some Lotta Svard pieces in which is an area that I am not very interested in, amongst them were these small pieces which I believe are skiing/marching badges. The gold one has makings on the back which resemble hallmarks, but I guess that they could just be maker marks, any idea?

Don

And the bronze.

There is also an enamel star with a serial number on the reverse which I think is a training badge of some sort.

Don:

Yes, those are Lotta Svard (Finnish Women's Auxiliaries) pins (skiing and marching, training star), nice conditioned items.

The Lotta Svard were so efficient and fierce that they were specifically negotiated to be banned by the Russians in their peace treaty with Finland.

John

Hi John,

Thank you for the information.

I assume that there isn't much value in these, any idea what a fair price to ask would be as they aren't in my collecting field?

Thanks
Don

Don:

These don't seem to go for a lot nowadays.

I found a fleabay listing for the white star at $15.00. I would expect to see the other pins go for $20-50 depending on who is buying.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Finland-WWII-Lotta-Svard-Badge-Volontary-Womans-Corps-White-star-Winter/253174331982?hash=item3af25dba4e:g:VWcAAOSwtGlZAi9a

John

Thanks again John,

I suspected as much, they came with a couple of Nordfront type badges & also these.....

More

Also a centre piece from a Nordfront type badge & a medal....

There was also a ring but I will have to get the camera working to show that....

I'll post the Nordfront crosses later.

Don

I would be interested in the Nordfront pin, which is probably a rework of the badge. And, I would love to see the ring.

J

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply & interest in these. I can't get my camera working at the moment so I've used my phone, the images aren't as sharp as they would be with my camera I'm afraid so the details aren't as crisp as they actually are on the ring...

Here are the front, sides with wings & rear showing the seam.

Date of 1940 inside & the inside seam.

Sorry the images aren't very sharp. I'll have another play with the camera.

Very interesting topic.

If I can ask, why are they called "marching" badges ?

I believe the more correct term for souvenir badges and pins with place names is 'travel pin'. These are prewar to current souvenirs of place visits.

There were badges issued during the war as souvenirs of places, battles and campaigns.

A very interesting sub genre with some beautiful enamel work. I started collecting these as a side project to my Norwegians fighting for and against the Axis powers, with a fair sized group fighting in Finland against the Russians. Many such pins and badges were purchased by the foreign fighters in Finland.

J

Here are the Nordfront badges...

Two more...

This one has some damage to the white enamel....

I've found my Germanske SS Norge stuff & will post that later.

Finaly had time to dig out the scanner.

Here as promised is my GSSN pin, only the front to prevent fakers from using the distinct markings. John will know what they are like.

My SS SM pin, again only the obverse at this time...

Please excuse the small hairs on the scanner glass, they are not cracks in the enamel.

Here's my Pjodernishreyfing Islendinga member pin, the NS party from Iceland. Again due to the unique reverse only the obverse here.

My friendship badge, this one is tiny to give it some scale I also show it by a standard size party pin.

Wow,, what a great treat to see all these pieces!! Thanks guys.........

OK,, whos got the Finnish SS lapel pin?? [ small with skull and SS runes ]??

Thanks Gaspare. I'm afraid that one has always eluded me.

Beauty items. That Icelandic pin has to be super rare!

Here are my equivalents.

J

Nice John!,, The HJ Oslo 41,,, . That like a tinnie? pin back? zinc?

Nice John!,, The HJ Oslo 41,,, . That like a tinnie? pin back? zinc?

Beautiful pieces John!

As with Gaspare, the HJ is a new one on me, fabulous!

The one below it has also eluded me over the years, when I have come across it I've never had the funds available.....

I've just remembered that I have a reprint of the book published to commemorate the SS day in 1943 that goes with the Germanske SS Norge tinnie, I'll dig it out & take a couple of snaps with the dreadful camera phone later.

Cheers
Don

The HJ pin is a zinc pin for the meeting in Oslo with the Hitler Youth group.

Here are my 1943 SS Day items: badge. book and poster.

j

More wonderful things! I love the poster...... Thank you for posting them.

,,yes!.. What size is that poster john?

18" by 25", G.

Interesting items being shown. Thank you all for sharing.

--dj--Joe

Whilst rooting through the box containing the Finnish bits I came across these....

I think this is an aircraft spotter's pin

Not sure about this one, could be Swedish, however I know that Sporrong also made badges for other countries.

The engraving isn't very clear on the reverse but it is 1941.

What do you think John, Swedish?

Cheers
Don

I think Swedish.

In Norwegian, it would read 'For Hjem og Hird' or 'For Home and Hird' where hird is the term for group, such as the SA groups in Germany.

John

Great info, thanks John.

I don?t suppose you have any idea of the value of these last 3 pieces?

D

The 1939-40 badge is the so called Brothers in Arms badge for the Winter War and is pretty commonly found, selling for the $15 range.

The spotter's pin and the Swedish badge are new to me and I have no idea of their current values.

John

Thank you once again John for all of your help.

I've discovered what the "For Finland" Pin is. It was sold in Sweden to raise money for the Finnish ariforce during the Winter War 1939-40. Apparently, the Swedes collected some 7 million Swedish kronor for the cause.

As well as the silver one that I showed, the pins also came in a plain version without any enamel & also a gold version with enamel.

Cheers
Don

Here are some more pins for Nordic support for Finland's war effort.

Hi,

Somebody was asking for these?

Br. Juergen

Any new additions to this outstanding thread?

--dj--Joe

Juergen,,, Yes!!!, That is my favorite! , love that piece... I don't really collect much anymore but IF I saw one of those reasonably priced I'd go for it..

Great topic!

New additions thanks to my Finnish friend, Rainer S

Aavasksa
Suomi Pin
Finland Map
2 Helsinki
Kajaani
kemijarvi
Kaunispaa
Kotka

More:

Lion Pin
Riekko (Dovd)
Olavinlinna
Rovaniemi
Suomenlinna
Lapplandfront insert part
Porvoo

Plus, a nice Petsamo ring.

It's great to have friends, isn't it?

John

John,,,, stupendous as usual!! The insert a great piece as well as the wolf and crown/ship pin!! Everything hard to find and a great addition to your collection.

What is in the band of the ring?

John, how does your recent Petsamo ring compare to the worn example you showed back on page #6 of this thread?

Thanks again for sharing.

--dj--Joe

The very first ring is unadorned, plain and without a maker mark.

The new one is more elaborate and has a maker mark that I cannot decipher.

John

It looks like the 1 st. more worn ring may have been maker marked. Just worn smooth.

--dj--Joe

Thanks to GDC member and good friend, Rainer S, here are my latest Finnish items.

First up 2 bracelets:

- one with the Finnish Lion in red, bracketed by the flag of Finland
- the second is a busy one with the red lion bracketed by different red and blue shields.

And, 6 travel pins.

- postwar Finland map edged in gold (I already had the silver edged one)
- FK 37, a 1937 founded alpine ski club in Esbo
- Aura
- Punkaharju in blue
- Hanko Hango
- Hoitind, an 1167 metre mountain

Just lovely,

John

Finland has beaten the USSR twice,,,looks like they might be helping to do it again!

- John,, You probably have the best selection/examples of march pins of anyone..,,,and the bracelets are stunning... I'm guessing the 2nd are the provinces/states of Finnland[?]

- your 2nd Petsamo ring,,,is it silver? Is it enamel or a type of paint in it?

Thx, G.

To me.
, the maker mark is a silver mark and it is enamel.

I just love these bracelets and travel pins.

The Finns, along with their allies, kicked Russian butt once, they would do it again especially against the ragtag armed forces that are in the Ukraine.

John

The Valmet is the superior weapon, my choice of all AKs.
Not to mention all there armor vehicles.
Ed

New March Pins:

Hainola
Ivalo
Joensuu
Kuusamo
Lappi Lappland
Olavinlinna
Vaasa Vasa - the blue one is new
Pori

All thanks to my good friend Rainer S from lovely and tough Finland.

John

I also got this fob from Finland, thanks to Rainer.

Some very nice pieces you got there John! The Joensuu is enamel and has a raised portion,,really nice..

- The Fob is fabulous,,,,ALL good catches,,,Congrats!

BAM, would that be a wooden wall plaque?

--dj--Joe

No, not a wooden plaque. This is the Icemeerfront cross, only almost completely in enamel. Instead of the Finnish lion, a skier is depicted. It was sold at an auction in 2003 in the city of Buffalo. This photo was sent to me by a friend.

It may be the picture, but I do not like this badge.

I believe that there are fakes of this medal using original dies.

John

John,, I saw dies of them either at the MAX or SOS probably ten[?] years ago or so. don't know if they were original or remakes .. Can't remember exact price but at the time they were over $500. each part..... I do know they had sold by the end of the show.............

I can't say that I like the look of this last one either.

This is the first time I see such a manufacturer.

Can anyone comment on the following book?

Jatkosodan asevelimerkit

Matti Allonen, Jari Nykänen, Joel Sjögren.

511 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2021

Good evening. I can show you a photo of a rare variety of cross-Nord front with 4 rivets.

BAM.
I see the "4's" in the date are closed at the top. Have you seen that before other than the Icemeerfront cross example with the skier you showed that was mostly enamel?

--dj--Joe

This is the Icemeerfront cross, only almost completely in enamel.

derjager
Yes, I saw it, but only on 2 staves. And the Swastika on the German flag in black enamel.

derjager
On 2 rivets. Swastika on the German flag in white enamel.