Badge Identification Thread.

[Nick_L]

Hello, I just picked up some badges and after hours could not identify them. Can someone help please?

The One badge resembles an air force engineers badge but has arrows rather than a hammer.

The K shaped bade..no clue.

The square badge I could not get anything on, I even used a Russian keyboard to find the meaning of the text..no luck.

[CtahhR]

With those sort of images all I can tell you is that they are very low end items including a 3rd Class sports Badge.

Looking at a few cents per item - the sort of items that are thrust upon unissued uniforms and sold to unwitting collectors as all sorts of bravery etc awards with very made up back stories.

[Nick_L]

I got the lot for cheap, some are decent, like the guard badge, and the eagle. Most like the athletic badges are pretty low. I feel like it will be a good conversation piece, and look good on a farby re enactment uniform. I'm mostly concerned with the badge that has the crossed guns and crosshairs. Thanks for the reply.

[CtahhR]

The cross rifles are part of the collar tab insignia for infantry forces.

Somehow I doubt the "tourist" and Sporting Badges would be a very accurate reenactment.

Have a good look through the forum there are lots of goodies.

Here is a good thread that shows how rewarded people would look - http://soviet-awards.com/forum/sovie...personnel.html

[Nick_L]

Thanks will look. Yeah I will be picky about what I would use, some are just very "meh". This seems like a cool site, I'm just getting into collecting really. I had a clue the guy was ripping me when he sold for his "bottom dollar" right away. It is okay though, I make money off of him all the time.

Which badge is the "tourist" badge?

[CtahhR]

The squarish Badge may be a tourist purchase piece. If it is marked with a numbered followed by K on the back it is a price.

With the vast number of unissued Soviet uniforms left over from the cold war and sheer number (possibly billions) of surplus Soviet Badges there can often be some very creative lies to get a few more dollars from folk.

The best way to tell if an award is an award is if it comes with the correct paperwork. Documented groups are what most hardcore collectors aim at but there are so many "things" out there that there is something for everyone and anyone.

[Nick_L]

That all makes sense. Think I jumped the gun when I saw it all, but I'm not far along yet. Hmm, it has no price but some of these do feel quite cheap. I like the forager hat they came with, however.

Since this thread is here, do you know why the asking price is near 100$ or more for the old uniforms? I find it odd to shell out two hundred for such a common thing, but I don't know way too much.

[CtahhR]

Supply and demand... Also what is ASKED is different to what is PAID.

I have picked up many 1970's-80's honestly worn uniforms (Tunic, Trousers, Hat) for under $10 and unissued items for under $2 a piece but it would be very easy to add bits and then make up stories and demand a crazy price.

REAL uniforms (specially with the correct original awards on) sell for VERY good money and rightly so. Many uniforms were worn to death or recycled after the changes in regulations. Pre-GPW uniforms are certainly not piled high in warehouses in the former USSR.

[Nick_L]

I like what I'm hearing. Is there anywhere online you use in particular? I will read way more on this forum, I'm just using the little time I have before studying.

Must say, the Russians have some very spiffy uniforms.

[CtahhR]

I don't use any particular place for purchases. I usually keep my eyes and options open and buy up when I am offered or find what I like for the right price.
As folks here know I often buy up in bulk when I find a solid source.

If you are flexible on what you want to collect you can just sit back and wait for a good deal to fall in your lap. If you what to focus and have to have things NOW NOW NOW you may find you have to get the big money out.

The forum is a fantastic resource to use before, during and after purchasing items.

There are oceans of Soviet items out there and also vast amounts of modern Russian Federation items out there too but don't confuse the two distinct states.