Fake KGB Badges - Page 2

***desantnik*** · 10-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Thank you, this is the kind of confirmation for which I was looking.

Greg Collins · 10-09-2007, 08:52 PM

Well, initially I saw what appeared to be the same badge on a reputable dealer's website- though I only had the front to consider. Jumped back into the books and found the badge in Avers #2, page 166, number 1090. Badge listed as being made from Tombac with enamel. Jumped a little forward to the colour photo plates (XXXI) and there it is. Overall appearance is more of a mono-tone yellowish coloured metal, with a slight deviation toward a silver colour in the areas behind the star and 50. The most noticable difference is that the banner with VChK-KGB is enameled in dark blue rather than red. There's no photo nor illustration of the back; no variations are cited.

ibaya · 10-10-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirchgoens

I have a reference that lists it as "Honorary Member of the KBG" (note "Honorary" and NOT "Honored").

I believe that the appropriate translation is "honored" because the badge was awarded to actual state security personnel only - nothing honorary about it.

As an observed rule of thumb, sword-and-shield badges with flat reverses and no mint marks are fakes or fantasy pieces, IMO.

Re: AVERS No. 2 - illustration 1090 has me scratching my head. On the one hand, I can understand making the ribbon enamel blue instead of red, to distinguish it from the Honored Worker badge from a distance, along with a red enamelled star instead of the gold one. But on the other, the jubilee badges I've seen (and have in my own collection) have red enamel on the ribbon. I can't rule out color variations off hand ... I have two early "udarnik" badges where the red and white enamel are reverse between the two!

***desantnik*** · 10-10-2007, 04:46 AM

[QUOTE=ibaya;69799]I believe that the appropriate translation is "honored" because the badge was awarded to actual state security personnel only - nothing honorary about it.

/QUOTE]

I guess you're right. "Honorary" would imply someone outside the organization was given the award. I can't see the KGB giving a disease-stricken child in the Make-A-Wish foundation an honorary "chekist".

"Honored" implies someone in the organization being noted for his activity. Good catch - I guess I was wrong.

Here's a problem with translation though, semantically anyone receiving a decoration for his activity is being already "honored" anyways...

Nota Bene · 10-10-2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibaya

Re: AVERS No. 2 - illustration 1090 has me scratching my head.

Looks like a fake to me.

Alexei

10-09-2007, 08:52 PM	#12
Greg Collins Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Virginia Age: 70 Posts: 744	Well, initially I saw what appeared to be the same badge on a reputable dealer's website- though I only had the front to consider. Jumped back into the books and found the badge in Avers #2, page 166, number 1090. Badge listed as being made from Tombac with enamel. Jumped a little forward to the colour photo plates (XXXI) and there it is. Overall appearance is more of a mono-tone yellowish coloured metal, with a slight deviation toward a silver colour in the areas behind the star and 50. The most noticable difference is that the banner with VChK-KGB is enameled in dark blue rather than red. There's no photo nor illustration of the back; no variations are cited. __________________ "We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)

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10-08-2007, 03:53 PM	#11
*desantnik* Forum Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eurasia Posts: 2,340	Thank you, this is the kind of confirmation for which I was looking.

10-10-2007, 04:46 AM	#14
*desantnik* Forum Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eurasia Posts: 2,340	[QUOTE=ibaya;69799]I believe that the appropriate translation is "honored" because the badge was awarded to actual state security personnel only - nothing honorary about it. /QUOTE] I guess you're right. "Honorary" would imply someone outside the organization was given the award. I can't see the KGB giving a disease-stricken child in the Make-A-Wish foundation an honorary "chekist". "Honored" implies someone in the organization being noted for his activity. Good catch - I guess I was wrong. Here's a problem with translation though, semantically anyone receiving a decoration for his activity is being already "honored" anyways...

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