My Soviet Patch Collection

[kliment]

Hello Pastfinder,

Padded? Embroidery is quite thick. But, it's very different (sort of gold bullion) from the samples illustrated in the Stepanov's book (yellow thread).

[Tal Inbar]

offered on ebay....

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by pastfinder

Nice topography patch.

I thought that the Topo badge had a star in the centre.

Both these and the green backed one (previous post) came out of Berlin in 1989, at the time it was thought that they were the new sleeve badges, which would replace all others.

Sorry no proof, and no pictures.

[Ser-g]

to me it sounds as a good possibility ,

taken that in 89 the collapse was very near , and production was in overdrive to keep up the economy.
than there was never time to let it take effect and those thinks wouldn't be much use after the collapse because of the so ophius cccp markings.

they would have been thrown aside.

[pastfinder]

Originally Posted by Tal Inbar

offered on ebay....

Modern fakery crap (the patch, not your posting)

[pastfinder]

Originally Posted by kliment

Hello Pastfinder,

Padded? Embroidery is quite thick. But, it's very different (sort of gold bullion) from the samples illustrated in the Stepanov's book (yellow thread).

Ie the patch itself (between the backing and the black cloth) has been padded and raised up. Mine is actually about 2 or 3 centimeters thick, hence why I ask.

[desantnik]

Gentlemen,

Anything beyond the limited number of existing and recognized felt/plastic detail badges should be approached most skeptically, including the CCCP, embroidered, and spetsnaz EM BG United Nations peacekeepers... Many of these "fantasy" patches were probably made in Russia, probably even in the early '90s, but in any regard...aren't Soviet.

The embroidered ones incidentally, were being made in Pakistan to sell souvenirs to "tourists" helping out the mujh - and the "quality" speaks for itself (off-center H&S). This particular embroidered one in question could perhaps be a "dembel", but who knows. Back then, even the simple felt/plastic patches were going for big money.

This is not meant to be condescending, but I was purchasing these patches in the voentorgs when some of you were in second grade and collecting them since, largely on-site in the former Soviet Union. I too was in Berlin in summer '90 buying up junk.

Doug has seen many more uniforms than I - when "interesting" patches with no logical providence or justification start showing up in the US several years after the Wall came down, one's "antennae" go up.

I'm all for admitting the existence of something strange and unusual, but when no one can produce regulations, photos, actual uniforms, etc. I think there is a pretty weak case for anything outside the mundane realm of verified patches.

[kliment]

For Pastfinder:

The mine is not padded in this way, just a piece of black cloth and a thin grey backing.

For Desantnik:

I'm totally agree with you, concerning my patch I have no obvious reasons to think is't a soviet one. I have bought it long before soviet badges became currents. But I have some reasons to think that it is not impossible to find his origin, mainly the presence of a very similar one in Bekesi's book (by the way it's of course not a proof of his authenticity;)).
May be Pakistan is an interesting guess, but in 1983 was this sort of trade so developed?
Something I found also intriguing is the branch, signals is not the most glamorous (but wings and thunders have some style).

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by kliment

May be Pakistan is an interesting guess, but in 1983 was this sort of trade so developed?
Something I found also intriguing is the branch, signals is not the most glamorous (but wings and thunders have some style).

Pakistan is an educated guess based on the style and the work. Remember, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in '79 and yes, many Westerners were bringing back souvenirs of all sorts.

"Back in the day" Pakistan was one of the few places you could get anything Soviet - the Wall was still locked up pretty tight. I think I bought a common light blue airborne patch of the type we're discussing now, for something like $40 - LOTS of money back then. At the time I bought a Soviet belt & buckle and other field stuff at unimagineable prices (in comparison to today).

You are right that signal corps is not the most glamorous, but forgers still make fake airborne patches that can be bought for next to nothing.

[centaur32]

Gentlemen,

The markings, usually white, on the reverse of Soviet patches are prices, in Kopeks, and the number indicates the price. The hand-applied stamp, "ЦЕНА 0р - 19к", translates to, "Price 0 rubles - 19 kopeks". (See Attachments) Not all genuine patches are price-marked. I've never seen any other kind of stamp on the reverse of a Soviet patch. I, like Pastfinder', have never observed any repro Soviet patch with any kind of marking on the reverse.

Best regards and thanks for your attention,

Jim