Stogieman

And actually rather hard to find.... nice example

Is anyone aware of currently made reproductions of the 9th September??

I was surprised at the 1964 date. I thought these were earlier than that... The badge itself:

Inside of the document:

I'll start off with a nice documented one!

Hi Anatoly, the only other image I have at the moment (of the document):

This was actually the last thread in Bulgaria so I'd like to bump it back up for a couple of reasons. We can be sure that through the mid 80's to the fall of the government these double awards were made. I think in the case of Ed's set we have the typical "use what's lying around" mentality with the use of the older style orders book. Here's a similar awarded set except this time it has the new style document that states award of "Hero Socialist Labor" and BTW he gets "Order Giorgi Dimitrov"

Be Safe

This ribbon comes close to what you describe, but the national colors are on the left. If it's a current (post communist era) medal, perhaps they are reversing this old ribbon and using it up?

This is the closest I can come up with. But the national colors are in the center. This is the medal For Peace & friendship between Bulgaria & USSR. It's the only medal I can find that has a peace bird (dove), but it is gilt, not silver.

I know there had been some discussion/concern about archive access for research being cut off. A) Is research still possible? B) Is it possible to research a Soviet numbered award made to a "foreigner"? C) Whom do I have to contact to do this? Thanks much for any help!

Third Class, Type 2a

Second Class, Type 2a

First Class, Type 2a

Third Class, Type 1b

Second Class, Type 1b

First Class, Type 1b

Third Class, Type 1a

Second Class, Type 1a

First Class, Type 1a

Fronts:

Scan of the reverse of the latest discovered variation. To me, it looks like a disc with a small, round-headed rivet through the center to assemble the components. My Twin thinks the center is a tiny screw post with the disc spun on to assemble. I'm not really ready to attempt to disaassemble these!

This is not meant to be the definitive discussion of this order; but rather a summary of my observations in handling these pieces for some time now. I'd like to thank a number of Forum Members for their assistance: especially Anatoly13 & Bolgarin for their extensive contributions of time, images and details from their fine collections. I would also like to thank Angel Garbachov for images graciously loaned and Theodor for patient translation of a language I cannot imagine being able to master soon. The author of this thread (Richard A. Versailles aka stogieman) retains copyright over the contents of this thread in content, text, images and concept. Currently, because of the vagaries of translating into english, the word "emission" has been used to describe the various issues of The Order. We have been slowly changing to the word to "issue" on this forum as being more appropriate. However, I would like to use the word "Type" to specify each distinct issue of the order for purposes of this discussion; using a numerical system of precedence and further breaking this down by lettered sub-types. My reasons are simple. I am discerning "types" by major, physical changes to the Order. (Neck order/Screwback, change to suspension for all three classes, major design and suspension change) In essence, all other variations fall under these three categories. The People's Republic of Bulgaria instituted this order by decree of The Supreme Soviet on the Ninth of September, 1945. The Order was designed by Boris Angelushev. The Order was instituted to honor both Bulgarian and foreign citizens, who took part in the armed insurrection of the people on the 9th of September 1944 and for participants in "the foundation and consolidation of the people's authority". The Order was instituted in three (3) classes, Third, Second and First. Further distinction was made between a civil award (no swords) and a military award (with swords). Third Class being the lowest; followed by Second & First Classes in order of distinction. Specifications: First Class: 66mm. enameled star, gold-colored metal frame/body, enameled white arms. Obverse center metal disc with an enameled green laurel wreath around the circumferance, center metal disc with the bust of Vasil Levski, Hero of Bulgaria. Reverse arms are enameled white. Reverse center disc repeats the laurel wreath design and encloses a red enamel field with the date 9 Cent. 1944. Swords are gilt, tips up and fully sculpted/detailed on both sides. Second Class: 60mm. enameled star, gold-colored metal frame with obverse enameled white arms. Obverse metal center disc with a green enameled ring containing a green laurel wreath around the circumference, center metal disc with the bust of Vasil Levski, Hero of Bulgaria. Green enameled ring of the larger center disc bears the date 9 Cent. above the bust and 1944 below. The reverse of the Second Class is plain with no enamel/features. Reverse of swords for this class have no details sculpted. Third Class: 60mm. enameled star, gold-colored metal frame with obverse enameled red arms. Obverse metal center disc with a green enameled ring containing a green laurel wreath around the circumference, center metal disc with the bust of Vasil Levski, Hero of Bulgaria. Green enameled ring of the larger center disc bears the date 9 Cent. above the bust and 1944 below. The reverse of the Third Class is plain with no enamel/features. Reverse of swords for this class have no details sculpted. There are three distinct types that The Order was issued in. I have opted for three types with sub-variants as the three types represent the major, physical changes that have occurred with The Order over the length of its' issue from 1945 through 1989. Type 1: First Class is a neck order on a long, crimson ribbon. Second & Third Classes are screw-back orders with a screw disc to secure The Order to the left breast of the recipient. There are two distinct sub-variants of this type: Type 1a: Obverse center disc on all classes bears a full-bust of Vasil Levski, facing right. The image shows his shoulders and characteristic bow tie at the neck. The Cyrilic initials for "V" & "L" frame the face of Levski. Please note that some collectors believe orders of this type are actually samples and may not have been awarded in any significant numbers. This type is quite scarce. (1945-1946?) Type 1b: First Class Neck Order, Second & Third Class screw-back orders. Center portrait omits the letters framing Levski's face. (1946/7-1950's?) Type 1 Orders of the Second Third Class have been observed with maker/mint marks stamped into the backs. Markings observed on the lower right star tip and below the center screw post. Type 2: All three classes of The Order are now mounted on an elongated, upright pentangle suspension. Typical suspension plate is brass with wrapped ribbon and The order suspended below by a small jump ring. Obverse bust of Levski is identical to Type 1b. (earliest award of this type I can confirm is 1959) Type 2a: Reverse of Second & Third Classes have a center screw-post with small nut attaching the obverse center disc and portrait to the planchette. Type 3: All three classes of The Order are still mounted on the traditional Soviet-style pentangle mounting plate. The obverse center bust of Levski has had a major design change. Levski's bust now faces slightly more to the center. While neck, collar & tie are still visible, Levski's shoulders/coat are gone from the design. There are four distinct variations of this new design: Type 3a: Reverse centers of Second & Third classes have what appears to be a round spacer/washer with a small center rivet used to assemble the component pieces. (accompanying orders book showed award dates of 1970 & 1973) Type 3b: Reverse is smooth, with no visible attachment for component pieces. Small circular tool mark in the center where the order would have been previously punched to accomodate assembly. Type 3c: Reverse totally smooth with no tool marks or other visible blemishes. Type 3d: (Mid 1980's-1989?) Pentangle mount is now significantly smaller than all previous mounting plates. The Laurel wreath around the center disc is now made with substantially darker green enamel. Further variation within these types can be found in base metal for the frame of The Order, three variations in the screw disc for Type 1 (silver embossed disc with date legend/maker's marks, gilt embossed disc with date legend/maker's marks, plain gilt, ridged disc), Variations in the metal used for pentangle suspensions (early-brass, late-aluminum)

Excellent! Thank you Anatoly, so the disc is good and an early one. I have none of the first types with initials (yet!). How do you feel about the theory that these were prototypes and not issued? Do you know of one that is documented? Approximate dates this eariest type was awarded? Thanks! Rick

Hi Bill! If you do a search within this forum you'll see several examples of award booklets. Some with translations posted courtesy of a member stationed in South Korea. Hope you are well!