October Revolution.

[Mahdi]

I have seen a couple, in Moscow last summer. Neither was for sale, but they were both unissued. I wouldn't pay more for it than for an awarded one.

[Tal Inbar]

I think the award was mis-designed. It is ridiculus to think that the USSR will have some profit from thin gold plated awards and the claim that the decline in economy made this happened is also not so serious.

You can see the order of labor glory, 3rd classe, which was mass produced, with thicker dold plating which last for years. The order of October revolution was awarded to many foreigners, and as such it symbolized the might of the USSR. No one think seriously that the soviets were short of means to properly gold plated the award...

The only logical explenation is that the gold plating was to thin, due to some mistake in the design process, which dictate the production procedures.

[CZ]

Tal,

your explaination is 100% plausible, but why didn't they improve the design during the rather long production period 1967-1991?

As far as I can judge it from my order, they put the gold with a brush - like paint - on basic star, frame of the "Aurora" and frame of the flag. Was it so?

Regards from Vienna

[Tal Inbar]

Christian,

No way a gold plating will be added by brush. I think a good idea is having a golldsmith on the forum to answer some technical issues regarding precious metals, gold plating etc. I will try to contact one I know.

One thing thogh, regarding improvements after 1967-68:
The order of October revolution was awarded first to very high ranks in the party and armed forces. Complaintes from THEM, on the faded gold wash must have had a strong effect, in the later production of orders.

Tal

[CZ]

Dear Tal,

there was one improvement done at the "Order of the October Revolution": The 3rd rivet for the fixing of the Hammer&Sickle. Maybe one prominent recipient hurt himself at the pointed and standing away Sickle.

Regards from Vienna

[Tal Inbar]

Traces of the gold wash is clearly visible:

[mcwirsk]

Dear Christian

In my collection is a group to a Col-Gen, his Oct Rev is an early one and is missing the Hammer & Sickle. I think it must have been protuding too much and this general took it off or it caught on something and fell off. there are 27 suspension awards and medals before the foreign stuff.

The gold plating almost all worn off. The number of the award is 26521.

I have attached a photo of the order.

regards from the land of sunshine and rugby.

Munroe

[jimfindlay]

Tal,

This one is not too bad, looks silvered but not a great photograph, looks pretty good under a magnifying glass.

[Art]

regarding how gold-wash is applied, I thought it was applied with a brush? take a look at this red banner..

[Tal Inbar]

Please look at this:
I think (not sure) that this type of OK was used for organizations. Please help in translation.