The first Badge with the screwback is a Type 2 and the two others are Type 3. The original "Type 1" which has a mirror reverse, a white stripe in the flag and the shield is a different shape (most likely Soviet production). Some of the Type 3 badges are numbered/named (with the name of the Guards unit). There is also a Type 4 which has the later horizontal pin on the reverse (alike many other DPRK badges), these are of a rather poor construction. Some of the screwback badges were converted to pinbacks too with simple safety pins soldered on the reverse (as is common in DPRK awards). Of the seven guards badges in my collection there are the four types and ones numbered/named "34", "ᄂ8ᄌ" and "워1". I also have yet to see a guards badge in wear.
The "Seoul Division" amongst others were designated as a Guards Division in 1950.
05-16-2011, 09:21 PM (This post was last modified: 05-16-2011, 09:25 PM by Will.)
I guess like everything else in that country, membership in a Guards unit is secret ! That is why we never see the badge being worn !
:chuckle
Of course, my own theory about the units in the parade is that they are simply the same units, over and over again. They are well uniformed; they are well equiped; and they are well trained to march as required.
So the DPRK leadership simply parades them out (literally!) on special occasions as required.
In other words, a permanent drill team.
Such units in other armies are referred to as "asphalt soldiers", meaning that they look great on a parade ground, but are nevery really intended to go to war.
Maybe the DPRK criteria for the badge is different to the Soviet one, Maybe to have the badge you had to survive (or at least be serving during) the action for which the "Guards" honour was awarded. That would certainly explain why they are so seldom seen. Not too many DPRK soldiers survived the advance to Pusan, Retreat over the Yalu and then another 60 years of life. The Type 1 Guards Badge I have is a battlefield relic, when I got it I had to use a knife to scrape the dirt and all the rest off of it, then I spent the best part of a week chemically (and lovingly) cleaning it - now it looks fabulous with a little bit of old (probably shrapnel) damage to the enamel. I'll be hopefully borrowing a camera next week so I'll be able to illustrate a bit better.
The correct Korean for the award is "근위휘장" (Guards Badge) and the banner is inscribed "근위대" (Guards). I may have to ask the embassy where the best place to find a picture of a "guard" would be. Time will tell.
Here is my Type 1 Guards Badge. It has the white stripe of the flag and differently shaped shield.
The Guards Badge of the DPRK is not a difficult item to find on the market as a piece to add to any DPRK collection but information pertaining to and images of the badge in wear is in very desperate need. The DPRK Guards badge was based upon the Soviet badge and was used to the same end. The first "Guards" were created Mid-1950 during the KPA's advance along the peninsula. The badge seems to have fallen out of use at least 25 years ago. So far I have obtained seven variations of four types of the badge.
This first type is distinct in many ways from other types the two largest "tells" are the additional white lines on the national flag and the "mirror" back. The main badge is made out of copper but the screwplate is brass. Most likely of soviet production and dating to the combative stage of the Korean War.
Here is the first variation of the third type of Guards Badge. This variation is noticeable by the broad screwpost (slightly high of centre) and lack of white stripe in the flag. The screwplate used on this variation of the badge is exactly the same as used on some early Hero/Hero Of Labour Stars. This variation is probably from at very earliest the first half of 1953 but is probably post armistice.
This second variation of the third type is noticeable by the narrower central screwpost. This variation probably dates from the late 1950's to the mid 1960's. This particular screwplate was in widespread use on other badges at this period.
This "Transitional" Type may or may not have once had a screwpost attached, it may simply be an altered Type 3. It is typical of awards worn during the transition from screwback to pinback awards. This particular badge has spent a considerable time underground, a fact that the rust on the steel safety pin elaborates.
This forth type is the first pinback design. This style pinback is of a identical design to other pinback badges and orders of the period of its construction (c1970). This variation is very much a Type 2 with the design changed to include the pin rather than screwpost.
This second variation of the Type 4 has a slightly altered reverse raising the area to engrave "information" up out of the way of the pin's catch. Probably dates from the mid 1970's.
This final type is a vast change from all previous types in that it is constructed of aluminium (which is the reason for the odd colouring) and is pasted rather than enamelled. The horizontal pin on the reverse is similar to other badges of the period of construction (Early 1980's). This variation is considerably lighter than all previous variations and is a rather sad end to such a fine award badge.
