From which country is this badge...

[HuliganRS]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea where this badge originated:

Reverse with German type hinge and C catch.

Thanks,

Rusty.

[Taz]

That is an unusual one Rusty!

I would say it's not Soviet because of the lack of marks and the style of pin.
A Commemerative badge from another Communist State?
Possibly one with links or connections with Germany, Romania or Yugoslavia maybe? Possibly Hungary.

Eddie.

[Christophe]

Rusty,

I don't know why... but I would bet on Romania... But without guarantee.
They sometimes used this kind of German pin.

BTW, this badge is also very close in style and shape to the first version of the Order of the Red Star, the one awarded for gallantry during the Civil War of 1918-1922.
The award consisted of a heavy silver disc with an outer wreath of laurel forming a circle, at the base of the wreath were the impressed letters "1919 CCCP 1922", and superimposed was a large red enamelled five-pointed star with hammer and sickle in gold.
I'll post tomorrow a pic of this star (in B&W).

I personally have never heard of this star (which is not mentioned by Paul Mac Daniel in his book).
Any idea ?

Ch.

[Taz]

Rusty,

I don't know why... but I would bet on Romania... But without guarantee.
They sometimes used this kind of german pin.

Ch.

That's funny Christophe, that would also be my first choice.
I've also seen this distinct curved Red Star somewhere before. I think it was Bulgarian and without the Hammer and Sickle.
The one other detail which might give a clue is the 1917. If you notice the number seven has a middle line through it. Not all nations write their number sevens like that. Germans do, which brings us back to a land with ties to Germany.

Eddie.

[Christophe]

The one other detail which might give a clue is the 1917. If you notice the number seven has a middle line through it. Not all nations write their number sevens like that. Germans do, which brings us back to a land with ties to Germany.
Eddie.

Eddie,

Interesting. Was it the case for badges made around the 20s ?
Because, if you look at more recent badges, made around 1937, they all (at least all I have seen, but I have obviously not seen ALL produced 1937 badges) have a 7 without the middle line.
But I agree, in written documents, you often find the middle line to the 7.
See attached pic.

That makes me think it could be non-German...

Ch.

[Taz]

Eddie,

Interesting. Was it the case for badges made around the 20s ?
Because, if you look at more recent badges, made around 1937, they all (at least all I have seen, but I have obviously not seen ALL produced 1937 badges) have a 7 without the middle line.
But I agree, in written documents, you often find the middle line to the 7.
See attached pic.

That makes me think it could be non-German...

Ch.

Christophe,
I'm not to sure about the badges, I was actually refering to the writing of which you have posted a good example.
No almost certainly not a German Badge, in fact I'm fairly sure it's not.
I was thinking more along the lines of a Country that had strong links to German Culture which is why my first choice would still be Romania.
Possibly Yugoslavia, Hungary or Bulgaria.
I don't know why but I have ruled out Czech.

Eddie.

[Christophe]

As promised, here is the pic of the 1st version of the Red Star.
The award consisted of a heavy silver disc with an outer wreath of laurel forming a circle, at the base of the wreath were the impressed letters "1919 CCCP 1922", and surimposed was a large red enameled five-pointed star with hammer and sickle in gold.
The reverse is plain except for the impressed details : CCCP for Bravery 2nd Class, plus the award number and date of bestowal.
The ribbon is red.

These informations come from John Clarke's book : "Gallantry Medals & Decorations of the World", published in 2001 by Leo Cooper.

Has someone more details on this medal ?

Ch.

[otlichnik]

The mystery is that 1917 has no importance for any of those other East European countries, at least until after WWII when they fall under the Soviet orbit and begin to "celebrate" 1917.

So if it is non-Russian it is likely post-war manufacture, some sort of commemmorative thingy.

Shawn

[Taz]

This is decribed as a KPD ( Kommunistischen Partei Deutschland) Badge.
The KPD was founded in 1919 only to be banned in 1933. So it was made in this period of time.
It is 3 x 3 cms in size.
As you can see the star has no real similarites to the one Rusty posted.

Eddie.