Greg Collins Wrote:The reason I keep mentioning the "sameness" of the medals is that, right now, on our favorite auction site, you can find a Gold grade Police version of this medal for around $20-$30 USD along side this medal, which is going for $130!!! Don't be fooled- it's the same medal with a different ribbon. It always was.
I was just about to ask: If they are identical except for the ribbon, then why don't more people (auction-site sellers) just replace the ribbon and go for the bigger money? I have to admit, the idea even crossed my mind to make my own on the cheap - then I realized I would be hard pressed to find the right ribbons.:doh
06-08-2010, 10:12 AM (This post was last modified: 06-11-2010, 08:50 PM by Greg Collins.)
You kinda hit the nail on the head, Phil. All you need is the correct ribbon and, voila!, you have a Karhatalom medal! There would be absolutely no way to tell. So, you find an honest, reputable dealer. My Karhatalom medal cost me exactly what a Police medal costs... same with the Border Guard medal.
As interest in Hungarian items grows- and I believe it will- remember this conversation.
"We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
A few more additions... first, three more year pins for the Voluntary Police. A 10, 15 and 25 year badge. The white surround models were earlier than the blue surround models, but I don't have an exact time on the "change-over".
"We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
As I now have the badge set in-hand, I can share a few detail shots. This particular version of the badge is fastened to the uniform by the famous Hungarian opposing prongs method, indicating that this badge is the earliest of the Kadar period Excellent State Security Police Service badges- a later version was pin-backed. There was another type of this badge... I was recently privileged to see it... the star is huge and, apparently, plastic; the weapons are also larger and the Kadar seal is moved to the lower portion of the wreath. This model must not have lasted long as there may be only one produced. Anyway, here's a couple close-ups of mine. As you can see, there are some enamel issues with the Kadar seal but, overall, this badge is in nice shape.
"We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Here's the miniature... heavy gilt with a standard pin back. Not for uniform wear- just civilian clothing- and probably not worn much if at all. Also, whereas the case was form fitting for the larger badge- even accounting for the prongs on the back- the miniature is simply set in the case (pinned to the lining).
"We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Though not strictly security, this is Interior Ministry and, frankly, I don't know where else to put it. This is a Volunteer Fireman's badge. I saw it and was intrigued by the similarity to the other volunteer badges; talked the seller down quite a bit and, voila!, mine. As you can see, it took a pretty hard knock at 11 o'clock, but still a nice piece.
"We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Greg Collins Wrote:Though not strictly security, this is Interior Ministry and, frankly, I don't know where else to put it. This is a Volunteer Fireman's badge. I saw it and was intrigued by the similarity to the other volunteer badges; talked the seller down quite a bit and, voila!, mine. As you can see, it took a pretty hard knock at 11 o'clock, but still a nice piece.
How did you know what time the badge was damaged?:rolleyes::D
It seems as good a place as any since all of the Warsaw Pact countries (and a few others) seem to have had their fire departments under the same ministry as at least internal security. I also believe there are a few other countries - including the USSR - that had awards that were nearly identical for fire and national police.
These are fairly solid, well-made badges especially considering the multi-piece construction. The wheat and torch are not a third piece like on the police assistant badges, are they?
