Fake KGB and "Egg" Badges

[Nota Bene]

I am in complete agreement with Desantnik about this one.

Alexei

[deValcourt]

This one is being sold (bidding started at $1) and nowhere does the seller say it is a copy ( and a very bad one). You can get a better, though still not great copy with at least the tight colors from an ePay seller who sells nothing but copies and is proud to tell you so.

The first one (only picture) is the one being auctioned and the second one you can buy any day of the week for about $50. I am curious to see how high the auction one goes in the next 5 days.:thumbsdown

Phillip

The more I look at these two, the uglier both of them get...

[Nota Bene]

Yes, it's a copy, and not a very good one. Hopefully, bidders will recognise it as such.

Alexei

[deValcourt]

Yes, it's a copy, and not a very good one. Hopefully, bidders will recognise it as such.

Alexei

Unfortunately Alexei, it just sold (the one on the left) for $102. Perhaps we can figure out a way to make the forum required reading before bidding on Soviet items...:rolleyes: The saddest thing is that the admitted copy is half the amount the small, fuzzy-pictured "no returns" fake sold for. So some unscrupulous person could have just doubled his or her money at the expense of some poor soul.:mad: The only consolation is that we've all been there at least once (except maybe you, of course ;)).

Phillip

[Alfred]

Any oppinions to this KGB excellent badge.

The star is not attached with two "long wire rivets",as I have seen it on other badges.


regards
Andreas

[deValcourt]

Andreas,

NOOOO!!!:thumbsdown At least for now.

As far as I know, there was never a one piece construction. I can check on that when I get home, but with a serial number that low, I am very suspect.

If you can get closer pictures on the enamel, star and reverse that would help a great deal.

Phillip


I can't find any of the websites I used before to determine if there was a one-piece badge in the beginning. Even when they started using rivets you could still see the rivets on the reverse. However, this one is so masterfully (re-)created that there are even the same mint "flaws" and marks from the authentic early badges (I compared my 12xx to this one). It is certainly expertly done. My only two problems are the one-piece construction and the serial number (not just because it's only 3 digits, but because it is off center a little to the left). Until we hear from somebody like Alexei or someone else who has handled pieces with numbers this low, I'd keep angling for better photos until we know. It would certainly be an exceptional find if it is authentic!

Phillip

[Nota Bene]

Most likely genuine and possibly a re-issue. Better pictures wouldn't hurt. :)

Alexei

[deValcourt]

Most likely genuine and possibly a re-issue. Better pictures wouldn't hurt. :)

Alexei

Ah...a reissue.:doh That would account for the low number with the late model, no wire or rivet attachment. But somebody didn't take very good care of it - the finish is heavily worn for a badge that had to have been made in the late '80s. But a reissue would make it even more rare...;)

Phillip

[Nota Bene]

Found another example ...

Alexei

[deValcourt]

Found another example ...

Alexei

And this is a reissue? Wow (either way). The back tells it all. That's the part the fakes never get even close.

I've been thinking about how one might "lose" a badge such as this from an organization such as the one that gave it. A person either had to be captured with it on him or her, fallen down a mountain or other long stretch of land that could tear clothing while in a parade or formal uniform, shot and the badge stopped the bullet (thus needing replacement) or the agent was an idiot and left it in a taxi (or brothel in Beria's case - and yes I know the KGB didn't exist when he was in power, but brothels nonetheless :rolleyes:). I mean really! What kind of "honored employee" are you if you can't keep track of one of the best awards your line of work will ever allow you to have? Granted, there could have been a fire and all...but short of something like that, I just don't see losing these or worse, having to explain how you lost it in order to ask for another.:eek:

Phillip (having fun :D)