The AVO/AVH Sports Club

[Greg Collins]

The Hungarian State Security (AVO prior to 1949; AVH thereafter), like other Warsaw Pact countries, had it's own sports club. Initially (in 1949), this sports club was known as "Bastya" (Bastion or Fortress). The primary design component of the badge was the AVO/AVH cap badge. The size of the badge is very small; a US quarter coin will cover it.

These Bastya badges are extremely rare but, when and if you are able to find one, the price won't break you because, alas, the market just isn't there. Here are three from my collection. The center badge is in pristine original condition. The badge to the left has been converted to a stick-pin (very old work). The badge to the right has been converted to a screw-back and the soldering has left the star "off kilter"... this work also seems old.