Munkasor, the Hungarian Workers' Militia

[Greg Collins]

The Munkasor, or Workers' Volunteer Militia, was founded in the late '50's (after the '56 revolution) primarily to guard the country's means of production. Not simply security guards (which operated as individuals), the Munkasor were militarily trained, regimented and armed, they were Hungary's "national" guard... very much like the DDR's Kampfgruppen and Romania's Patriotic Guard. In fact, the existence of the Munkasor, along with a heavy Soviet presence, that could very well have allowed for the disbanding of the Karhatalom. The Munkasor was controlled by the Communist Party and was, in 1989, voted out of existence by the new government.

This first badge is a general award badge... could be given for a number of accomplishments. In it's earliest form it was given for 5 years of service- that particular badge was "vaulted" (rounded). This is the flat, later model.

[Greg Collins]

This next badge is for an "Excellent Member of the Munkasor".

[Greg Collins]

This rather impressive badge, in it's fitted blue plastic case, is for 25 Years of the Munkasor. I don't know whether these were given to all members of the Munkasor or whether they were given only to select members. Very nicely made; heavy construction.

[Greg Collins]

The Munkasor had a general training school and graduates received this badge. This is one of those "hard to finds".

[Greg Collins]

You don't see these advertised much... I was able to get one by asking a contact in Hungary to find one, so it's probably not rare. A Munkasor armband; silk screened cotton with hook-and-eye closure. It was worn on the left arm of the shirt (but not the coat/jacket).