14-Karat-Gold KGB Badge

[d-riemer]

Is there a 14-karat gold version of the KGB badge? The attached picture shows such a badge. Is it real or a fake?

I have a numbered MVD badge of that type for comparison that is made of pretty cheap metal but good construction.

[sovvisor]

Hi
Sorry the badge you have are not an genuine KGB issue. There have never been such a badge in the USSR.
Best

[otlichnik]

Tom,

You can check out my info site for more details on KGB badges.

http://otlichnik.tripod.com

Briefly, the MVD badge you have also comes in other verions - NKVD, 50, 70 and even prototype-only of MGB. There was never a KGB one. The KGB badge was different, shaped like a traidtional shield.

Shawn

[d-riemer]

Hello Shawn and Sovvisor,
thanks for your replies. Here is the story from the person offering the 14-karat gold badge:

"I got this one from a friend of mine who works for the Intelligence here and he got it as a present from Russian officials from the Russian Ministery of Interior during one of their visits. I belive this is a presentaton pin and I'm absolutely sure there is not a single reason that anyone should make a
fake out of 14 karat solid gold!!! Probably it is something that is used for presentation purposes and I don't really think it is something that agents actually wear. However, again I do believe it is 100% genuine."

Does this sound reasonable?

[otlichnik]

I am afraid that it does not sound likely at all to me.

First, the badge says KGB not MVD.

Second, it is simply wrong - there never was a KGB badge like that. So why do a presentation version of a fantasy badge.

Third, the quality is poor. It may be a nice piece of jewellery but compared to the genuine KGB and NKVD adges it is bulky and crude.

Fourth, award badges were given for specific reasons and by high decrees. You would never give a fake version as a presentation item. Presentation awards were guns, knives, watches, cameras, desk ornaments, banners, etc. but never fake awards.

Save your money for a real KGB or NKVD badge.

Shawn

[Nota Bene]

Please read through the thread.

[d-riemer]

Reading through this old thread again, I realize a problem. The picture of the KGB jewelry does not make clear how small the KGB piece actually is. For its small size, it is of an excellent quality and apparently not trying to fake an actual badge. I do believe that is was given to visiting officials from other countries as a jewelry present in the image of an non-existing KGB badge.

[Nota Bene]

Dietrich,

Could you please post a better scan of the badge.

Alexei

[d-riemer]

Originally Posted by Nota Bene

Could you please post a better scan of the badge.

Alexei,
here is the same picture as before but magnified 2x. You have to go back to my previous picture to get an understanding of the actual small size of the KGB jewelry.

[Nota Bene]

Dear Dietrich,

I am not against the idea of KGB having a gold presentation badge for foreign dignataries, but:

- the badge is just too crude (ugly lines on the handle of the sword; uneven horizontal lines near the handle; crude sickle; cheap enamel around KGB, etc.);

- why would they use an MVD badge as a basis for it?

so I'll remain skeptical.

Alexei