Some help from Mother Russia....

[maple_leaf_eh]

I can't offer any evidence, but I know there is a subculture of badge collectors who know 100x more than the average knowledgible person. Our CMP, HUP and carrier brothers here are a perfect example of this.

I once met a guy who was very quiet about collecting non-German SS militaria. When he trusted me, I saw some of his pieces. The latest find was after he had gained the confidence of an elderly Latvian SS volunteer, and acquired his badges and papers. Tough for the family to lose that chunk of family history, but some people don't understand (or don't want to understand) the conditions that compelled an ancestor to chose one side or the other. Even in my hometown there is a once-controversial plaque for a Canadian killed in Vietnam in the US Army.

I suggest you keep posting on as many forums as you can find.