hunyadi

Here is the drawing of the collar tab as per the 1951 regulations. When I translated it beofre - I was confused that those in the Political Offciers Training program at the Petofi Accademy who had the 'star' badge did not wear the school triangle or a special 'collar tab' (see where my quick and dirty translating went bad) they only wore the standard collar tab and in place of the school arm badge (only if they were attending the Kossuth Academy!) - the Polit Offcier Badge was mounted on the left arm 15 cm down from the shoulder seam. In 1951 this collar tab was designed for use by the Petofi School (which was 'the' political offcier / leaders school at the time). At this point I cant find a regulation of when it was canceled - though all the Petofi Photos that I have - no one is wearing one of these collar tabs... As I recall the Osprey description seemed to indicate that it was 'possible' in 1956 for a political offcier to wear the M49 uniform with the Polit Officer badge - though by that time the badge had been phased out and so had the M49 uniform which was forbidden to be worn after 1952. I would be interested in seeing the actual photo they used to illustrate that plate.

Hi Gordon - gotta get that book I made out of your hands! It was done so quick and dirty... so get out the marker and cross that part out. After fully translating that section of the regulations - those collar tabs with the polit off badge on them were for the instructors at the Petofi Accademy only. (sorry at this point the book is good for the pictures ) As stipulated in 1949 and again in 1950 (when new collar tab devices were introduced) the political officers and leadrs were to wear the same collar tabs and shoulder borads as the unit they were serving in. The arm patch was the only method of identfying them. Measurements were taken off the regulations - my badge is about 58-59mm - may have shrunk over time a bit.

OK - have seen nearly all the examples known to exist at the musuem. Never seen one in a collection (yet) and have never seen one for sale... Till today... Institurted in April of 1949 this is the Politcal Offciers Badge 60mm in diameter. Was intended to be worn by all those authorised who beloinged to the Political Officer Corps which had been established previously but known more as the 'Political Training Corps'. By 1949 these officers held joint command with every unit - generally at company to regiment level. Like the Soviet model, these officers could over-ride the orders of teh commanding offcier at any time for any reason. They were only answerable to thier superiors. The badge was phased out by the end of 1953 after Stalins death and as a measure to 'de-stalinize' the military. Similarly the Political Leaders Badge was 50mm in diameter and was placed in company level on down to 'monitor' the troops. He did not hold absolute power, and acted more as an informant and political advisor. They were not given the right to make any political speeches, unless authorised by the supervising Political Officer. So - now I have in my grubly little hands a 60mm Political Offciers Badge it makes a nice compliment to these http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=24030

That is a jewel! Cant wait to see it in person myself!

If I was going to give a price on it - probably about $1200-1500. The first set of photos you posted run for about 1000 as a whole set - but like others have said its very unlikely that this came as an award group to one man. Hope that helps. ?

Amazingly it did.....wish there was some way to research it. Interesting part was what appears to be a schedule for a parade that was torn up and left in the pocket. I spent about two hours with the little bits of paper to find '0800 assembly, 0830 load up, etc...'

Do you have an image of the medal? It would certainly be very interesting to see!

Interesting collar tabs - this is the 'Other Ranks' walking out uniform.

The backs of all these are plain - no notations. From my information these three came from an advanced collector who had collected them from the recipients (probably military and industrial advisors during the time)

carrying document: If the number of the award is correct (645) - this means that after May 1st 1950 only 100 more were ever awarded (total between 1949 October 24 to 1953 April 4th was only 745)

And lastly - the cream of the crop - a 4th Class of the Order of Merit of the HUPR. Again this was awarded to a 'Hungarian Soviet friend' of interest is the award date of May 1st, 1950. Workers Day... This is a civil document - so the ink is back to its normal color for the crest. Also if you notcie the autograph of Dobi is a stamp 'autopen' form.

Up next is an interesting one - Order of Merit of Hungarian Peoples Republic 5th Class - to a Soviet Captain for his part in the liberation of Hungary. This was awarded on April 4th, 1950 (Liberation Day of Hungary - five years on) Key to notice here is the crest in the center of the document. It was printed with blue dye as this was intended for miltiary recipients. All of these formal documents are larger than A4. Also with a carrying document

Nice that it also came with the carrying document

OK - I have been fortunate enough to get Soviet awards to Hungarians, and I have always been looking for the very elusive documents for the Rakosi era - esp. the more higher awards. So - when my 'dealer' got a lead on some 'sorry but they are to Russians' documents of the early HUPR era... how could I resist... First up is a Gold Class Order of Merit of the Hungarian Peoples Republic: Awarded Sept 9th 1952. Basicaly the document says its for 'our hungrain soviet friends' good work etc... Of particualr interest is the actual signature of Istvan Dobi the chairman of the Presidents council during the early years of the HUPR as well as being the Prime Minister for several years...

Great stuff! Thanks!

And finally another ultra rare badge for excelent students at the Petofi Academy (for polit officers) from the early 1950's

And the political offciers badge from 1949 to 1952 - discarded after 1952. This is from the Hungarian Military Museum

Or if you want really rare - how about 19 ever awarded 'Excellent Political Officers Badge'

The Hungarian badge (on left) as I recal is a 'good job on the last test' badge for the lesser military academies. These are not rare at all and were from the 1970's. Basicaly if you want to get politcial in Hungarian you have to go for items beofre 1957. These are rare and very difficult to find. Thought established in 1950, this badge was awarded till the fall in 1989. "The Soldier and Political Training Excellence Badge for Officers" is in gold - later in the early 1960's there was a silver version for the NCOs. This example is a early 1950's type. The wide prongs and the excelent enamel are clues for this. After 1957 the prongs were thin and the finish was more 'stay bright' These badges are the most affordable and the most plentiful

Very nice M57! (though I think I can smell it from here) - as you can see the pre 1965 boards have a tendancy of the bullion chord around the edge of the shoulder baord to fade to a nice 'historical' patina. Ar there any markings on the interior? One place that a M57 of mine has is a mark under the lapel (!!!)

Very interesting document. From what I have gathered 1973 was (probably) the last year of the Karhatalom. September 27th would also be in coincidence with "Army Day". This was probably meant for a mass awarding, and the number gives some indication on how rare these badges are. From the current avalability combined with the relativelty small numbers who actually served in this branch, it would reason that there may have been only about 5000 awards betweeen 1957-1973 (74'?)

Just for some clarification, I talked to Sandor M and he informed me that there is no solid evidence of when exactly the M65 cut started on the M57's. He beleives that it was probably in 1960-1962. So what we have here is probably a later M57.

Ah Ha! Good eyes Gordon! I see what you mean! Looking through all of my M57's that still have the piping as well as the two that were modified for M65 wear, all have this two piece construction. The regulations for the M57 clearly show the multi piece construction. I wonder now if these are later - perhaps from 1960? Or it may have just been a factor of which factory made them at the time? Sandor may be able to help more here.

Here is a link from Sandor's site on the M57. If you look at the two types he has in photos you see the open collar as the parade and the closed colalr as the everyday type http://www.nephadsereg.hu/1957-65.html 57M t?rsas?gi ruha (l?v?sz) = M57 Parade Clothing for Infantry (Open collar) 57M ny?ri gyakorl?ruha (p?nc?los) = M57 summer everyday for Panzer (Closed collar)