Fake KGB Badge

[sovvisor]

I´ll say fake. Maybe made by a veteran organisation but not official issue.
best

[Nota Bene]

Most likely it is a fake, but it could also be an unofficial "good memories of service" border badge. I would like to see a better scan of the front.

Alexei

[otlichnik]

That badge was once mine. I bought in it UK in 1993 along with what were subsequently confirmed as genuine Distinguished (Honoured) KGB employee badge, genuine 60th Anniversary KGB badge, and a bunch of border guards stuff.

However, I never could ID it. It is very odd.

It is clearly not MD manufacture. No mint marks, back shows ripples, etc.

On the other hand it it totally unlike the standard fantasy badges. It is made of copper, which has gone dark, not brass or tombak. It is heavy. It has a very, very high quality hot enamel. Better than almost any genuine Soviet badge made post 1970s.

My personal guess is some sort of semi-official fantasy piece. Likely for a KGB member or veteran. Clearly not for tourists or collectors or would would have seen others.

Shawn

[sovvisor]

That badge was once mine. I bought in it UK in 1993 along with what were subsequently confirmed as genuine Distinguished (Honoured) KGB employee badge, genuine 60th Anniversary KGB badge, and a bunch of border guards stuff.

However, I never could ID it. It is very odd.

It is clearly not MD manufacture. No mint marks, back shows ripples, etc.

On the other hand it it totally unlike the standard fantasy badges. It is made of copper, which has gone dark, not brass or tombak. It is heavy. It has a very, very high quality hot enamel. Better than almost any genuine Soviet badge made post 1970s.

My personal guess is some sort of semi-official fantasy piece. Likely for a KGB member or veteran. Clearly not for tourists or collectors or would would have seen others.

Shawn

You have over the years been one of my mentors on state security badges togather with Robert Pandis and I´ll say that your guess is pérhaps as close we´ll come the truth without having a veteran from KGB saying "that´s the kind of badge I got when I..."
Thanks for the input.
Best

[Nota Bene]

My personal guess is some sort of semi-official fantasy piece. Likely for a KGB member or veteran. Clearly not for tourists or collectors or would would have seen others.

Good enough for me!

It's good to see you here, Shawn.

Alexei

[Bagration]

Hello,
I came across this thread and I found myself as a badge of this type.
I joined "Otlichnik" in remarks on this badge enamel finish and are very careful.
By cons my copy appears to have its original screwplate ?

[Bagration]

Following

[deValcourt]

It is nicely made as far as these types of badges go. It's not MMD official issue as you can see (the screw plate is much too old for the sword and shield symbol - that didn't start until the late 1950s). Having said that, it is most likely a piece from a regional or local republican office. It isn't the thin aluminum and it isn't one of the newer fakes trying to look like the official MMD main Moscow Office awards. I would definitely hold on to it. The lines are very hazy between "authentic" and "fantasy/fake" when it comes to some state security items. Do you think you could get a few more closeups on the ribbon - especially at the bottom - that are tighly focused? I'm trying to see something in both the enamel and the letters there.
Thanks,
Phillip

[Bagration]

Hello,
thank you for your reply, marking the screwplate corresponds to the "stamping plant and glazing of Moscow.
I hope that you will see better in these photos.
Cheers

[deValcourt]

I was just fishing around for pictures of state security badges and I forgot about this one. As pointed out above, the enamel, especially in the banner/ribbon has the depth and clarity that fakes just do not.

I suppose it will remain an enigma for some time yet.:)

Phillip