Fake Academy Badges

[ph3s]

yes it is, coat of arms looks cast anyway

[deValcourt]

Good, because I had bid on it initially and then somebody came behind me and bought it for way more than I would have paid. I hate to say it this way, but at least I didn't get stuck with it.;)

I should have known by the other items that the seller had that were clearly copies. I guess after my luck with the Czech SNB medals (new posts) I was getting a little excited.:)

Phillip

[Alfred]

Any oppinions about this badge.

thanks and best regards
Andreas

[EricFG]

Looks too good to be true.

[Alfred]

A few questions about this white higher military academy badges.

These military badges were introduced in 1950.
In 1957 those separately attached name shields were dropped.
and the "unified" Military Academy badge was introduced (replacing the academy specific badges identified by the name on the plaque).

I read in a book from Herfurth 1987 (East German soldier who wrote a lot of articles about soviet awards before the wall fall).

1) "It was possible for the alumni to bought a name shield (even after 1957 when shields were dropped) and fix it at the academy badge."Is that true?

2) Was it possible for the soldier to buy a second or third replacement badge? for his other uniforms or got the alumni only one badge and this was awarded by the academy?

In a german forum was a discussion about this theme. One member said that his father (east german soldier who stuied at Frunse academy) got a badge with name shield in the 1970´s).

thanks and best regards
Andreas

[ph3s]

1) "It was possible for the alumni to bought a name shield (even after 1957 when shields were dropped) and fix it at the academy badge."Is that true?

yes, most of the time handmade or with help of next-door jewellery / craft master.

Some badges were semi-official, ordered to mint by uni/academy. So design could vary

2) Was it possible for the soldier to buy a second or third replacement badge? for his other uniforms or got the alumni only one badge and this was awarded by the academy?

As far as I know-no. Unless he/she had some good contacts in mints. So it could be done unofficially.

[desantnik]

Andreas, thanks for that question.

Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union I visited MVOKU - the "Moscow Higher Combined Arms Red Banner Academy" and swear remembering meeting an officer graduate with "MVOKU" on his academy badge. I have always looked for a badge with those specific initials, but never found it among the crowd of various badges with initials. To me this is surprising since MVOKU was kind of considered the most elite of all the academies out there - it was located in Moscow, named after the Supreme Soviet and thus had their graduation directly on Red Square, the Soviet elite wanted to send their kids there due to its primo location, etc.

My conclusion about the lack of a MVOKU badge was either my memory was faulty or it was a private purchase. I guess I still don't know conclusively, but if anyone ever runs across a MVOKU badge - I'm game.

[marsino]

Hi
I only have these images available,
Maybe you can help me anyway.

*Sverdlovsk School of Antiaircraft Artillery, 1946-50

[marsino]

This, too, please
*University graduate badge, 1930-1940

On the basis of poor images, you can judge them?
Thank you all, obviously ;)

[deValcourt]

At first, my reaction is that of seeing any very old badge - probably fake. However, seeing all the repairs done (reverse) makes me give pause and think it might just be paranoia.:)

Phillip