Badge "Veteran Of The 2nd Shock Army".

[Wis73]

Was wondering if anyone can ID this medal/badge which I got together with a bunch of others bought off a veteran in the Baltics. 2nd SHOCK ARMY veteran is what it says, of course, but it looks like it is made of cheap metal. Is this thing real and if so, what do you call it? Do these have any real monetary value? Thanks for your looks at it, WIS

[Eryk]

Don't know specifically, but yes, things like this are real. Veterans badges, produced by... well, I don't know. :) But there are a number of folks on the forum here who do, so I'm sure you'll get a good response. 2nd Shock Army has a colorful (and tragic) history. Caught my eye as I've an award to a rifleman in a 2nd SA brigade who managed to get himself wounded and evacuated before 2nd SA was decimated (again!) in the second Sinaivino offensive.

Anyway, welcome to the forum, and I'm sure someone who collects veterans badges will answer. Perhaps even an author. ;)

[desantnik]

Was wondering if anyone can ID this medal/badge which I got together with a bunch of others bought off a veteran in the Baltics. 2nd SHOCK ARMY veteran is what it says, of course, but it looks like it is made of cheap metal. Is this thing real and if so, what do you call it? Do these have any real monetary value? Thanks for your looks at it, WIS

Yes, it is "real". This badge, or znachok in Russian, was awarded by the 2 Shock Army veteran organization. As to any "real monetary value" - like any collectible discussed in this forum, value corresponds to supply versus demand. These veteran badges typically sell for about $10-$20, sometimes more, sometimes less. As a collector, the thrill is actually in the hunt.