Fake KGB Badges

***desantnik*** · 10-07-2007, 05:36 PM

Is this badge legit?

Greg Collins · 10-07-2007, 07:26 PM

From what I can tell from the image, it looks like a legit "50 Years of VChK-KGB" given in 1967.

Lapa · 10-08-2007, 01:07 AM

Paul,

I don't think so. I believe that the star and the sword were attached to the shield but prongs, and that the badge was numbered.

Marc

***desantnik*** · 10-08-2007, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapa

I don't think so. I believe that the star and the sword were attached to the shield but prongs, and that the badge was numbered.

That's what I thought too.

Kirchgoens · 10-08-2007, 11:51 AM

I have a reference that lists it as "Honorary Member of the KBG" (note "Honorary" and NOT "Honored"). The book also notes that there is a 1987 version that is identical except for the "50" being replaced with a "70". It also notes a "50th Year of the KGB" badge that looks almost identical (except that the anniversary version looks much cheaper in the book image than the one you posted here). My book has no reverse image posted, and I don't know that it would be a final authority on this. The book also notes an "Honored Member of the KGB" badge with suspension from the 80's, thus the differentiation between "honorary" and "honored" in the book.

...Brian

***desantnik*** · 10-08-2007, 12:14 PM

Thanks, I knew what the badge was and maybe I should have ID'd it for everyone's understanding. I just wanted to know if it was authentic or not.

The difference between "honored" and "honorary" is nil. It is just how you choose to translate "pochetnii" - I think "honorary" sounds more natural in English.

ibaya · 10-10-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirchgoens

I have a reference that lists it as "Honorary Member of the KBG" (note "Honorary" and NOT "Honored").

I believe that the appropriate translation is "honored" because the badge was awarded to actual state security personnel only - nothing honorary about it.

As an observed rule of thumb, sword-and-shield badges with flat reverses and no mint marks are fakes or fantasy pieces, IMO.

Re: AVERS No. 2 - illustration 1090 has me scratching my head. On the one hand, I can understand making the ribbon enamel blue instead of red, to distinguish it from the Honored Worker badge from a distance, along with a red enamelled star instead of the gold one. But on the other, the jubilee badges I've seen (and have in my own collection) have red enamel on the ribbon. I can't rule out color variations off hand ... I have two early "udarnik" badges where the red and white enamel are reverse between the two!

Nota Bene · 10-08-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapa

I don't think so. I believe that the star and the sword were attached to the shield but prongs, and that the badge was numbered.

Marc,

It's a fake badge, I agree, but originals were made as a single piece only, and they were not numbered.

Alexei

Nota Bene · 10-08-2007, 03:50 PM

Here are two variations of the reverse...

Alexei

***desantnik*** · 10-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Thank you, this is the kind of confirmation for which I was looking.

10-07-2007, 07:26 PM	#2
Greg Collins Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Virginia Age: 70 Posts: 744	From what I can tell from the image, it looks like a legit "50 Years of VChK-KGB" given in 1967. __________________ "We are Marching for the Victory of Communist Labour" V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)

10-08-2007, 11:51 AM	#5
Kirchgoens Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Mid Atlantic Age: 58 Posts: 351	"Honorary Member of the KGB" I have a reference that lists it as "Honorary Member of the KBG" (note "Honorary" and NOT "Honored"). The book also notes that there is a 1987 version that is identical except for the "50" being replaced with a "70". It also notes a "50th Year of the KGB" badge that looks almost identical (except that the anniversary version looks much cheaper in the book image than the one you posted here). My book has no reverse image posted, and I don't know that it would be a final authority on this. The book also notes an "Honored Member of the KGB" badge with suspension from the 80's, thus the differentiation between "honorary" and "honored" in the book. ...Brian Last edited by Kirchgoens; 10-08-2007 at 11:53 AM. Reason: Added info...

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10-08-2007, 01:07 AM	#3
Lapa Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St Petersburg, Russia Age: 63 Posts: 2,397	Paul, I don't think so. I believe that the star and the sword were attached to the shield but prongs, and that the badge was numbered. Marc

10-08-2007, 12:14 PM	#6
*desantnik* Forum Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eurasia Posts: 2,342	Thanks, I knew what the badge was and maybe I should have ID'd it for everyone's understanding. I just wanted to know if it was authentic or not. The difference between "honored" and "honorary" is nil. It is just how you choose to translate "pochetnii" - I think "honorary" sounds more natural in English.

10-08-2007, 03:53 PM	#10
*desantnik* Forum Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eurasia Posts: 2,342	Thank you, this is the kind of confirmation for which I was looking.

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