Gerd Becker

entries for awarded order, serial number and several other data.

Photo and Name Pages. Issued to a woman with the name Polina Konstantinovna Migal.

This is an award book, which came with a late Type 6 ORBL. Unfortuately the most of the later books came without a photo of the recipient.

Comparison

Hi everyone, to add some company to the few threads in this area, i though, i show some Soviet Labor Awards. Lets begin with the earliest Labor award, established in September 1928, the Red Banner of Labor. Like the most of the soviet orders the early versions of this award were on a screwback and were changed to a five-sided suspension after the regulations changed in June 1943. The shown example is a so called "Long Oval" Type 3 variation 2, which was the type, that followed the screwback versions of this order and was still very similar to them. Later versions were smaller like you can see on the comparison with a Type 6 ORBL in the next post.

Here you can see the serial number, which is scratched in the lower end of the order. There are numerous styles of engraving, and later engraving were made with a rotating tool.

The scooped revers of the Order. The suspension is made of brass, later suspensions were made from steel and aluminium. Also stamped on the back is a "maker mark", which says Monetny Dvor, which literally translates with "mint".

This is the one, that started my fascination for Russian Orders and Medals. A little summary to its history: The Order of the Red Banner was instituted in August 1924. There was another version the Order of the Red Banner of the Russian Federation (institutet Sept. 1918), but it had a little differnt design and the Order of Red Banner replaced it in 1924. First version of the ORB were on a screwback different than this shown example, which is the latest type (Type 4) on a five-sided suspension. These suspensions were usual since 1943. All Russian Orders had serial numbers scratched or stamped in the lower end of the backside and every order came with a little award booklet (you can see examples in Rick?s excellent thread) . Up to June 1944 it was a pure Bravery award, but after that i was given for Long service(20 and 30 years) as well and lost a bit of its prestige, until it was replaced as a long service award in 1957 with the Long Service Medals. The Order of the Red Banner was awarded to all ranks and further to ships and military units for: - Especially significant feats in combat with an obvious risk of life - Outstanding combat leadership of military units displaying special bravery and courage - Special bravery and courage displayed in accomplishing special assignments - Special courage and bravery displayed in support of the state security of the country and impenetrability of the state border of the USSR in situations involving risk of life. - The success of military units and ships despite stubborn enemy restistance, for being victorious over the enemy despite heavy losses or unfortunate circumstances, or for inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy while undertaking a major combar operation - In other conditions, the Order of the Red Banner can be awarded for especially significant achievements in training and also for feats accomplished on duty with a clear risk of life. (Source: P. McDaniels, The Comprehensive Guide to Orders and Medals of the USSR) It is made from sterling silver like all russian orders and some medals and hot baked red an white enamel. The banner says " Workers of the world unite" Enjoy! Gerd

And the И edition (issued in 1978)

The Ж edition (this one is issued in 1971)

Here are the two known 1967 editions of Order Books. Both have hard covers and the only apparant difference to the earlier edition is the missing stamp on the photo page. I guess, that the number of photos in these later editions is even smaller than in the editions of the 50s. The photo and personal data page:

Hi Rick, Glad to see your excellent thread here again. I will add scans of my order books, when you are finished with the 50ies editions. all the best, Gerd