Komsomol Dembels

[Nota Bene]

Vikingraider1,

I am not realy sure, but I believe the badge is from the 1960s. It was produced by the million by many factories, which I guess would explain variations.

Alexei

[tashkentski]

another Komsamol badge, brass, not sure what for

[Christophe]

Acording to Goodman's book, this is a Komsomol Military Participation Badge - Soviet Air Force.
1970s (?).

Ch.

[tashkentski]

Hi Christophe,
Here is another one in the same vein, bought it in Tashkent yesterday.
Do you think this a Komsamol badge for a tankist (bit puzzled by the oak leaf though)
Same construction as the airforce one.
Shiva

[new world]

Another one custom made by the soldier himself:

[Christophe]

Tashkentski,

For the "tankist" badge, did not find more detail about it... so I would guess you're right.

Ch.

[ericlida]

Gentlemen

These badges / pins (air force, tank) are custom-made badges. Usually soldiers in the Army do attachments to their regular Komsomol pins before the demobilization to look cool. Of course they make the attachments based on their specialization in the Army. You can find thousands of different pins (not only Komsomol) with attachments and they look according to “master’s” fantasy, skills, material and equipment available.

Eric.

[Christophe]

Eric,

One question : How did they make these custom-made badges that all look quite similar, or made in the same style ? Did they use standard elements (the leaves...), did they buy these badges to "specialized" and "dedicated" makers, ... ?
Any idea ?

Ch.

[ericlida]

Christopher

These badges don’t look similar. Badge that New World introduced to the Forum looks absolutely different. Many of them might look similar (have leaves) because it’s COOL and you do the same as most of demobilized soldiers do. If most of people make their attachments with leaves, you make yours the same.
When I was in Soviet Army (1970-72) it was very popular.

Eric.

[otlichnik]

But you do sometimes see similar home-made badges because people use parts of several standard badges and civilian pins.

Shawn