Veteran Badges

[desantnik]

I picked up four of the badges in question today. The badges have better quality medal that the typical Soviet znachki. They all clearly exhibit "safety pin"-type clasps known to those who collect East German badges. Also, the enamel is the wafer-thin enamel commonly encountered on East German badges. One even has a circular "mintmark" that seems to bear a Latin "V K", and is unlike any Soviet mintmark I have ever seen.

Again, expert znachki collectors have attributed these to East German manufacture. I may be new to this forum, but I have been collecting Soviet awards since 1988 and have seen my share of badges to at least line up with their opinion. The badges are:

1. "70th Anniversary of the Irkutsk-Pinsk (presumably Division) 1918." This is the best candidate showing foreign manufacture. It has the round "mint mark" mentioned above, the foreign clasp, and is heavier, thicker, and bears thin enamel similar to the late Mongolian medals. The background starburst looks most East German.
2. "4th Ukrainian Front Veteran" bearing the designation of the armies and an Order of the Patriotic War in the middle. The badge is heavier medal and larger than most any znachok of which I can think.
3. "65th Anniversary of the Irkutsk-Pinsk Division 1918-1983". The badge features a distorted depiction of a Guards badge that I can't believe a Soviet source could have gotten away with.
4. "40th Anniversary of the Guards Lyublyin Unit (Chast')". The composition of this badge looks most Soviet of the above, but again is heavier, has wafer thin enamel, and has a waffle-pattern on the reverse.

Now, can anyone tell me how to post a digital picture?

[Dolf]

This is indeed a beautiful Forum!
As you can see, Desantnik, most of the members are always ready to help... ;)

Dolf

[desantnik]

I'm glad you guys made your instructions "idiot proof". I need it. After I get the pictures taken, I'll do my best to upload. Thanks.

[desantnik]

This is my first picture posting so let's see what happens. Perviy blin, komom. First picture should be the reverses. Typical Soviet znachki on left, E. German-manufacture on right. Coins for scale. Note pins resembling E.German/Mongolian medals. Also, visible should be the different mintmark that I will attempt to post a closer image.

Again, typical Soviet on left and E. German on right. Pay attention to the "Victory over Germany" ribbon suspension, sunburst pattern typical of E. German badges, and enamelled center of the 70th Anniversary badge. The 65th Anniversary of the same unit features the weird suspension with "tortured" Guards badge. What is not well captured in these photos is the heavier weight of the badges and the typically E. German enamel work.

[desantnik]

A blow-up of the Guards badge insignia.

[desantnik]

Closeup of "mintmark." As close as I can tell it is a circular with an hour-glass in the middle with an "M" or "V" on the left and a "K" or "C" on the right. Also, look at the pin. Has anyone seen either of these on a Soviet znachok?
Again, on all the above photos I haven't quite succeeded in capturing the heft of the badges and the enamel work in comparison to typical Soviet paint/enamelling.

[Nota Bene]

Desantnik,

Thanks for the great scans. I have seen similar attachments on EG and Czeck (I think) pins... and always assumed they were of Soviet manufacture. Don't remember exactly the factory mark. It's an interesting subject. I was wondering if some advanced collectors could check their stocks and see if they can find more pins with the same mark, but hopefully a different attachment.

Alexei

[dannybou]

Obviously some of them are from WW2 era or at least commemorative to the GPW.

[dannybou]

A 30th anniversary of WW2 badge.

[desantnik]

Can anyone identify this Soviet veteran badge?

The inscription reads "Veteran 1 DTK". I believe, but am not certain it was given to a member of the Polish 1 Tank Corps, 2 Polish Army subordinated to the 1 Ukrainian Front.

I believe the "D" is for an honorific title - would anyone happen to know it and/or be able to attribute it differently?