Can't find this black star cap badge anywhere

[LaurenceU]

Hi All

First post! I've been collecting badges on and off for a few years now. Will only buy anything with a red star on but have around 40 at the moment. Thought it about time I found out a bit about them. But, one has got me stumped. Its a black enamel on gold star (I know I said I only collected red stars, this is the exception!) with hammer and sickle in gold in centre. I presume a cap badge but does not have two prongs, it has a needle fastener. Its quite nicely done, a little larger than the standard cap badges.

I've attached a really grotty pic (sorry) showing the black star alongside three other red stars I have. Does anyone have any thoughts on its origins.

Thanks for your help.

Laurence

[Esteban_cool]

Welcome to the forum!

At first sight, your black star looks like afantasy piece: the enamel, construction and shape of the hammer and sickle looks different than Soviet produced ones.
However, if you can show us a picture of the reverse anytime soon, we might be able to help and experienced members can give you a better answer.

Regards:)

[Alfred]

Welcome to the Forum. Better pictures are helpful.

I never saw a star with black enamel.

regards
Andreas

[Al-muell]

I have seen stars with green enamel - they are supposed to be early postwar field badges. If that is true, then maybe this one is the same for Navy?
Just a guess.

[LaurenceU]

Hi Esteban

I suspect you are probably right, though I am by no means an expert. The handle of the sickle is very stylised and the back is also different to any other badge I have. The whole thing is slightly curved as well, the main face is dished. Not worth the £7.50 I paid for it then. Still quite like it though... I might wear it!

Hi all, thanks for all of this. Much appreciated. I cant see it as a field badge though. It's too nice and too shiney. Would reflect light

[Al-muell]

That pin attachment makes it sure that this is not a capbadge. Most likely a fantasy post-1991 pin. The only organisation I could thik of to wear that badge would be National-Bolshevik Party, but their symbol is different, So I would just guess a total fantasy.

[Alfred]

Originally Posted by LaurenceU

Hi Esteban

I suspect you are probably right, though I am by no means an expert. The handle of the sickle is very stylised and the back is also different to any other badge I have. The whole thing is slightly curved as well, the main face is dished. Not worth the £7.50 I paid for it then. Still quite like it though... I might wear it!

----------------------------------------

It is defenitely not from soviet period (1917-1991). Looks like a fantasy piece to me.

regards
Andreas

[LaurenceU]

Thanks guys. A shame. It was going to have pride of place in a display!

I'm going to do my best to identify the rest of my badges. After reading some of your posts I reckon I'll find out that I have a few reproductions. Especially some I bought on ebay from a "Russian" guy in New York. Can anyone recommend a good reference book?

Thanks again.

Laurence

[deValcourt]

I've got a couple of stars that fit into the "just cool to have" category. By all means, wear it with pride - I wear all sorts of Soviet and even post Soviet badges.

Welcome to the forum.

Phillip

[LaurenceU]

:)

Thanks. I appreciate the help.