Fake KGB and "Egg" Badges

[Cantrip]

Thank you very much for the information guys; it was very helpful. I've been a long time collector of cold war era items and should have done my research before jumping headfirst into this specific area. On the brighter side, it was great to find this forum and I have a feeling this could lead to lots of reading and a new collecting habit. :)

[deValcourt]

BTW, while we are on the subject of variations of the 50th Anniversary Badge, here's the reverse of mine. You can see elements from the Honored Employee Badge.

Alexei

Well, that really is a neat one. I'm going to pull mine out of the case and have a closer look at the back. Thank you Alexei.

[desantnik]

Is there any information on how many of the 70 and 80 year anniversary badges were produced? Additionally, does anyone have pictures of these docs?

[medals73]

I can help on the 70. From the Gaylish group http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/sovie...#post99670.

Let me know if you need a better scan (including outside).

[desantnik]

Thanks for the confirmation. The one I saw had Order #673 vice your #670 with the same date. It was also dated 9 DEC 87, whereas yours is a few days later.

[deValcourt]

Yes, thank you.:thumbsup That's the first I've seen of the 70th outside of books that were questionable at best. I've seen too many fakes of the 50th and 60th to be very trusting unless it is from somebody I know.

As for the total number of these awarded, I can't imagine there were more than about 5000 (very conservative guess considering the number I've seen on the market) of the 50th; for some reason probably fewer of the 60th according to sellers and collectors, and based on politics and the high number of KGB employees at the time, probably no more than 5000 of the 70th. I'm really guessing about the 70th since many of the recipients are probably still alive which could account for why I haven't seen them nearly as often as the first two.

Does this seem reasonable?

Phillip

[deValcourt]

I've seen these for sale before, but I've always considered them tourist/fantasy badges. Now, after having one in my hands, I'm not so sure. I've never seen pictures of a KGB officer wearing this "Duty"/ Officer on Duty badge - but if anybody has, please let me know.

It's aluminum and what threw me is that it has the exact same pin mechanism as the late 1970s MVD proficiency wings (one posted for reference). I know that doesn't necessitate authenticity, but it did plant a seed of doubt. If it is real, then I would imagine it would have been worn by guards inside the Lubyanka or something like that. Perhaps a Kremlin guard badge before that division was removed from the KGB?:confused:

Phillip

[desantnik]

I have no idea whether it is genuine or it not, but it's logical that such a badge existed.

[deValcourt]

Thanks Paul. I was guessing maybe guards or fellows on shift torture duty in the Lubyanka prison would be the ones who would wear this, or maybe a "desk sergeant" of sorts in the area where you come in through the front door. A bagde that said "security" would be rather redundant in KGB headquarters or a prison.

[desantnik]

Thanks Paul. I was guessing maybe guards or fellows on shift torture duty in the Lubyanka prison would be the ones who would wear this, or maybe a "desk sergeant" of sorts in the area where you come in through the front door. A bagde that said "security" would be rather redundant in KGB headquarters or a prison.

Again, complete conjecture, but I'd err towards the mundane desk sergeant. Interrorgators or other types usually don't need a badge to let you know they mean business.