Hello all.
I've been collecting WW2 era tunics for some time and now am shifting my focus to WW 1 stuff. I'm most interested in the Imperial russian uniforms but am hardly able to find any useful information. Few books on the subject are available ,internet sources are also very limited and I can't find any good source to get 'the real thing'. Can anybody recommend me any useful reference works, and where to find good stuff?

best regards
Rhie

PS: I've been watching Imperial Russian uniforms offered for sale on ebay. I usually buy from ebay on very rare occasions and did not touch any of them.

However, I'm curious to know what you gentlemen think of them. Were(or are) there any serious attempts to fake imperial tunics?

Below are some of such ebay offers.

Imperial tunics are certainly faked.
www.frontofrussia.com do ones for re-enactors, but are certainly capable of making much higher quality items for the right price. I don't know enough about Imperial stuff to comment on those pictures, but I do know there's a massive amount of super rare Imperial and very early soviet pieces on Ebay than never appear on serious dealers websites or stands at shows.
Be very careful!

Thank you for your comment.
Actually I'm amazed to see such mega rare items regularly appearing on ebay these days. I will buy a leather cleaner set on ebay but certainly not tunics or medals worth 1-2K from those sellers. I think I'd better wait until I gather sufficient information and knowledge!

vg002

Run!

right. one of the two tunics posted above, is from that seller. I'll not touch it.

Good Gosh-Watch out for Ebay unless you REALLY know what you are doing as far as Imperial Russian. 99% of the stuff sold is pure faked crap!!!! I have picked up one undisputed good piece, and one in which the opinions are back and forth. (I believe it is a good piece, but ...), off Ebay. I am no "expert", but even I can spot some horrendus junk being flogged as original. Manions is a mixed bag. I've picked up a couple of original pieces, but they have A LOT of fakes, too!
It is very difficult to obtain good knowledge about Imperial Russian. Reference books are expensive, and usually in Russian.
Try: CollectRussia.com
Dmitry Markov
romanovrussia.com

And the Gentleman's Military Interest Forum has a very good Imperial Russian Forum with knowledgable collectors. Also check out Alexanderpalace.org

The 2 largest dealers of Imperial Russian militaria on Ebay sell 100% fake items. They broker for the same supplier in Russia and are fronts for them. These items include uniforms, hats, helmets, shoulder boards, epaulettes, gorgets, badges, medals. A lot of these items are married pieces using some authentic salvaged scraps. Probably left overs from the inventories of Len Films and Mos Films which had large costume inventories of original pieces. One dealer is on the East Coast the other in England. You guys can figure out who is who. It is pretty bad when they give you a life time guaranty. What a scam. Then, they like to make comments that if you return an item because you suspect it to be fake, you need documentation and appraisel from a reputable Museum in Russia stating it is fake. What is that all about ? Good luck getting this letter. Watch out, these guys will sell you their mothers.
East Coast dealer

England dealer

By the way, President Bush says go back home where you came from and stop selling your crap on Ebay.

БРИЛЛИАНТ!!!

Quote from Ebay : GUARANTEED TO BE GENUINE FOR LIFE
A marketing tool.
Who's life is he referring to ?




RichieC

hopefully my mother in law.



(again!)