Soviet WW2 Medal for the Defense ofStalingrad.
This is a GUARANTEED ORIGINAL WW2 issue Soviet medal, NOT areproduction or post-war reissue.
The medallion is made in brass and measures 36.9 mm in heightincluding eyelet, 32.1 mm in width; weighs 16.2 grams not including thesuspension and connecting link. The front has the Russian inscription “For theDefense of Stalingrad” and the line of Red Army soldiers on the forefront withan unfurled Soviet banner and airplanes and tanks in the background. On thereverse is the motto “For Our Soviet Motherland!”
This medal was issued to one of the Soviet participants of whatwas probably the bloodiest single battle in all history and certainly the mostimportant turning point in WW2. Hitler was singularly obsessed with capturingthe "City of Stalin", and Stalin was equally determined not to letthat happen.
The titanic struggle went on from mid-summer of 1942 through earlyFebruary 1943, ending in a catastrophe for the German war machine – the biggestdefeat it had ever suffered up to that point. The Wehrmacht lost an entire armyin the hellish cauldron of the frozen and completely destroyed city on theVolga River, and had a Field Marshal ignominiously surrender - the first inmodern German history. The Soviet casualties, well over a million in mostestimates, were even more appalling, but unlike Germany, the Soviet Union couldafford them. With the defeat at Stalingrad, any chances of German victory inthe East were finally and irrevocably put to rest.
The medal is in GOOD condition, very respectable for an OriginalWW2 era soldier's award (many Russian soldiers wore their medals even inbattle!) The medallion is free of edge bumps, nicks, or significant scratches.The details of the artwork and lettering are very well-preserved and crisp,showing practically no wear. There are some blemishes on both sides that look“organic” and therefore not too detractive and attractive even patina that addscharacter, while the original “gilt” mint luster is still visible in recessedareas on the obverse.
The medal comes on its ORIGINAL suspension device, a WW2 two-layermodel in steel with a self-locking pin. The ribbon is old, possibly original tothe medal, and although it shows a modest amount of soiling, still sound andvery attractive. Note that it was secured on the back with some blackthread, likely something that was done by the original recipient. This ribbonadds a great deal of personality to the medal! The connecting link between themedal and suspension appears to be original; its ends are still joined withsolder.
Overall, this is a really nice example of the WW2 Defense ofStalingrad Medal, showing a tremendous amount of character!
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