There was no question in my mind about its "unofficial" status or that it was locally made. I assumed it was a regionally awarded badge (within the Ukraine)… I would imagine, the Ukraine department had its reasons… and local permission to manufacture and award this badge.
This is the stuff that "keep us on our toes" and makes collecting fun. ;)
"Те, кто забывает историю, обречены повторить это снова."
Hi all. Yes I'm still alive. Haven't even been to this site in 18 months!
Good to see that many old friends are still "in the biz".
Brief update on me. I returned to Canada from Bosnia 4 1/2 years ago now. Still working for the government. Increasingly busy (as I am sure we all are) with work and two growing kids.
My Soviet collecting has effectively been at a halt for many years now - which is why I have not been here. In fact I have sold, or am in the process of selling off, all of my state security related stuff. As many of you are also aware the NKVD-KGB website is no longer active. There are mirror versions around but I have not done any updates in many years. If anyone wants to do a modern version I can give them rights over much of what I had posted......
Anyway, all I have really held on to in my Soviet collection are some WWII uniforms, banners and old maps.
For the last 5 years or so I have been collecting Roman (and other ancient) coins and fibula (brooches/cloak pins). You will be "glad" to know that the issue of fakes and fantasy pieces is as alve there as with Soviet awards ;)
So, I am afraid that my knowledge on the current state of Soviet awards is many years stale. I can no longer be considered a moderator. And I probably will not frequent this site very, well, frequently. But I am glad to see that you are all still active in this area.
