12-20-2009, 05:29 AM
Nota Bene Wrote:I've never seen this badge before, but based on the overall quality I am not too optimistic about it.
Alexei
I'm not really convinced it was even commissioned by a veterans group (or if there even is a SMERSH veterans organization), but it was a gift from a friend who went to Moscow a couple of years ago and all she knew was "sword and shield."
I have been looking more closely at it (with a magnifier) and I made a mistake in the first post by saying it is a three-piece construction. It is one solid piece molded to appear multi-layered. There's also no mint mark or even anything on the screw nut and the screw post is thinner with tighter threading than most even unofficial badges. So I think it served its purpose - to get a tourist to buy it.:chuckle
Phillip
Phillip
