I was looking threw my badges and started to think about Guards badges. There are lots of variations on them, so I thought I could show some of mine. Are there more out there?
A WW2 badge with a piece of red cloth behind the badge. Yes, a red background wasn't the best choice... Wearing red cloth was not uncommon practise, I have a photo of a guy wearing his badges like that.
There are three types of this badge - WWII issue (1942), post-war issue (1950) and aluminum (1960s), and dozens of variations for each type. Of course there is also a Navy Guards badge, which is totally different.
There screwplates on your first and thirds badges are not original.
No, the third is not an original plate. But I do think that the first is original. Roman Tavast was said to be a firm that made badges and such in Tallinn, Estonia. Also the plate fits 100percent with the screw. It's not wartime issue I think, but a nice post war badge in good quality.
I'm not sure but I think it's early post war. Then it could be made in Tallinn. I agree that making Guards badges in Tallinn would not be a smart move before late -44.
Have you seen any other badges of this variation that have an other type of plate?
Badges issued in 1942-1950 are considered WWII issue. The main difference is that they don't have those "waves" on the banner like 1950 and later issues. The main variations of the WWII issue are without the fringe on the banner and with the fringe. These badges were made by "Pobeda" factory and some others, which explains why there are so many minor variations.
The "checkering" on your Tallin badge looks quite unusual. I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like it. I wonder if anybody else had seen/has a Guards badge with similar details and the same screwplate.
Hmmm. I have two problems with it but hopefully Alexei and others will comment too.
First the letters look wrong and it looks like they are somewhat covered with enamel?? Second, what is the cross-hatching on the little section at the bottom where SSSR (CCCP) is written? I have never seen it before.
