Cap Badges

Al-muell · 01-07-2008, 07:54 AM

What is this badge?
from size and attachment (wire) I would say it's a cap badge, but who knows? I have learned something since I took hungarian breast badge for a cap badge...;)

Taz · 12-23-2008, 04:15 PM

Hi Al,

Better late than never, sorry it took so long.
It is an RPR Army Officers cap badge.

Regards Eddie.

Al-muell · 12-28-2008, 04:48 PM

Hey, better late than never!
Are You, however, sure of that? From other source I got information, that it's early romanian police cap badge. Altough the source lives quite far away from Romania, he's rather familiar with soiet-block faleristics. On the other hand no reference seems to be available, so maybe he is wrong.

Greg Collins · 09-20-2009, 09:03 AM

At that time in Romanian history (1947-1965... Romanian Peoples' Republic-RPR), the military and police (militia) wore the same cap badge. In 1965, when the country became the Romanian Socialist Republic (RSR), the cap badge changed dramatically to the State seal on an oval with a system of wreathes around it. At that point, gold colour was reserved for military and silver colour was reserved for militia (police). See the thread Romanian Cap Badges for images.

Greg Collins · 07-26-2009, 06:56 AM

I've amassed several Romanian cap badges from the 1947-1989 period that I thought I'd share with everyone. First, the collection as a whole. Right in the center, with the "wings" are two Romanian Air Force (post 1965) badges. The one with one row of leaves is for Sergeants and Warrant Officers; the one with two rows of leaves is for Lieutenants through Colonels.

Greg Collins · 07-26-2009, 06:58 AM

The oldest badge I have in the collection (yes, there are two of these) is the RPR Star (1947-1965). These were worn by NCO's right up through Colonels. The Private's are the same, but without enamel.

Greg Collins · 07-26-2009, 07:02 AM

This is a transitional period badge, probably in use from 1965-1968 when Romania went from the Romanian Peoples' Republic (RPR) to the Romanian Socialist Republic (RSR). Note that, although the star has been kept, the letters therein read RSR. This badge was worn by Lieutenants through Colonels.

Greg Collins · 07-26-2009, 07:04 AM

A five badge group here. The center badge is the one I just discussed in the last post. The top left is an RPR badge, the use of which I have yet to determine. The top right badge is an RSR badge which, again, I haven't been able to identify. The badges on the lower left and right are Patriotic Guards cap badges- they are simply enameled state seals with a backing of cloth in the Militia red colour. The Patriotic Guard was Romania's version of the DDR's Kampfgruppen- citizen soldiers.

Greg Collins · 07-26-2009, 07:08 AM

Next, a Militia (Police) group. The badge on the upper left is the cap badge for Sergeants, Warrant Officers and Military Academy cadets. After about 1979, only Military Academy cadets would continue to wear this particular badge. The badge on the upper right is another Patriotic Guard badge. The badge on the lower right is the cap badge worn by Sergeants and Warrant Officers after 1979, and the badge on the lower left is the cap badge for Lieutenants through Colonels.

EricFG · 07-26-2009, 09:49 AM

Well done Sir! I'd like to see similar articles elsewhere by those with the same great knowledge.

12-28-2008, 04:48 PM	#3
Al-muell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wrocław, Poland Posts: 1,828	Re: Early romanian (cap?) badge. Hey, better late than never! Are You, however, sure of that? From other source I got information, that it's early romanian police cap badge. Altough the source lives quite far away from Romania, he's rather familiar with soiet-block faleristics. On the other hand no reference seems to be available, so maybe he is wrong.

09-20-2009, 09:03 AM	#4
Greg Collins Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Virginia Age: 70 Posts: 744	Re: Early romanian (cap?) badge. At that time in Romanian history (1947-1965... Romanian Peoples' Republic-RPR), the military and police (militia) wore the same cap badge. In 1965, when the country became the Romanian Socialist Republic (RSR), the cap badge changed dramatically to the State seal on an oval with a system of wreathes around it. At that point, gold colour was reserved for military and silver colour was reserved for militia (police). See the thread Romanian Cap Badges for images. __________________ "We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)

07-26-2009, 09:49 AM	#10
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: Romanian Cap Badges Well done Sir! I'd like to see similar articles elsewhere by those with the same great knowledge. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

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