Zsolt

The pins are about 35mm tall by 23mm wide. (tallest to widest) - So Zsolt - did they all come with 1949 on them or were there examples with other years. It was my understanding from the guy I got these from that the organization ended in 1950? But no one is an "expert" obviously. Here is a shot I forgot with the 'score' levels. My earlier post is incorrect after looking at it again - will ammend...

I think, the date (the beginning year) hold out on these type of badges.

Here is a clear shot of the Ministers from left to right. Interior Minister Munhich Ferenc, Kultural Minister Ach Gyurgy, Foreign Minister Sila Ferenc. (may not have a perfect spelling of those names)

If the photos was taken about 1958, the correct names:

M?nnich Ferenc (president of the Ministercouncil)

Acz?l Gy?rgy (Cultural deputy Minister)

S?k Endre (Foreign Minister)

The badges are Kiv?l? DOLGOZ? badges, not Kiv?l? Dolgozol. (dolgoz? = worker, dolgozol = you are working)

Exact figures, Charles. I measured 42-43 mm in the early ribbons, 40 mm in the later ribbons, and 37-38 mm in the sport ribbons.

In the "Large Hungarian Medal Book" there are a lot of mistake and inexactness.

Zsolt

Hi Gents,

Jeff: This badge is not "Distinguished company " Brigade badge, but correctly it is Distinguished brigade of the company badge.

Charles: Oroszl?ny is not oroszl?n (lion) and not orosz l?ny (russian girl), but Oroszl?ny is a small town near Tatab?nya. In this area were a lot of coal mines.

Gordon: These are not Trade Union, but company t?rzsg?rda pins. ( Oroszl?nyi sz?nb?ny?k: Coal mines in Oroszl?ny)

The name of the movement correctly is Ready to Work and Fight.

We take it over from the Soviet Union, where it existed from 1931 with the same name GTO (Gotov k trudu i oboronye).

I think there were 3 levels:

A (Alapfok) - basic level

K (K?z?pfok) - middle level

F (Felsőfok) - highest level

For the gold badge allowed only 1 middle level, and the others needed highest levels.

For the silver badge allowed only 1 basic level, and the others needed highest or middle levels.

For the bronze badge needed minimum basic levels from all.

The movement started on April 1949, that's why it was made with Kossuth coat of arms in the first badges. Of course later with Rakosi coat of arms.

The movement wasted away in 1954-1955 .

Zsolt

what would make the differnce - besides being rare? You mention the ribbon size? It was my impression that almost all of the ribbons are the same size. Help?

Hi !

The earlier (in the 40's, 50's years) the ribbons were bigger sizes. From the 60's years smaller. The ribbons for the race sport medals were the smallest. ( I hope, can You see in the photo the different).

Zsolt

Ulstermann -

Intersting. As I had informed you the ribbon on this one was the wrong type - but after a trip to the Military Muesum yesterday with the kids - I recognized the ribbon - its for the Sport Medal of 1947 (!!!) A rare addition to be sure

Hi, Charles !

This ribbon similar to the ribbon of the Sports Merit Medal of the Hungarian Republic 1947, but in other material and size. I think, this is a ribbon for a sport tournament medal from the 1970's.

Zsolt

very cool-but what's the difference between a "company fireman" and a "volunteer fireman"? Regular -vs-volunteer or did companies have their own fire departments?

Also, whats the fire prevention service?

Hi!

Usually in every place (city or town) You can find local volunteer firemen organizations. At bigger companies there are professional company firemen.

Zsolt

Volunteer Fireman, Company Fireman, Youth Fireman badges.

Medal for Fire Protection Work from 1974 up to 1977.

Medal for Excellent Fire Protection Work from 1974 up to 1977.

Company Fireman Service Medal from 1974 up to 1977.

With trifold ribbon.

- After 5 years

- After 10 years

- After 15 years

- After 20 years

- After 30 years (with bronze wreath)

- After 40 years (with silver wreath)

- After 50 years (with gold wreath)

Award document for the Volunteer Fireman Service Medal with gold wreath after 50 years. Awarded for my wife's grand-dad.

Volunteer Fireman Service Medal with bronze wreath, silver wreath, gold wreath from 1974 up to 1990.

With trifold ribbon, awarderd by the National Fireman Commander.

- After 30 years

- After 40 years

- After 50 years

The reverse of the 2nd version of the Volunteer Fireman Service Medal:

The 2nd version of the Volunteer Fireman Service Medal from 1974 up to 1990.

With trifold ribbon, awarderd by the County Fireman Commanders.

- After 5 years

- After 10 years

- After 15 years

- After 20 years

The reverse of the first version of the Volunteer Fireman Service Medal:

3., Volunteer Fireman Service Medal from 1958.

Up to 1974: with pentagonal ribbon, awarderd by the Minister of the Interior.

- After 5 years

- After 10 years

- After 15 years

- After 20 years

2., Fire Preventation Department Medal. Awarded from 14. oct. 1956 - to 1990 in three grades ( from 1974 with name: "Fire Protection Medal" with the same form, but the diameter is only 35 mm instead 40 mm ):

- Golden Grade

- Silver Grade

- Bronze Grade

Good day everyone !

One short summary from the hungarian fireman medals between 1945-1990.:

1., Fire Preventation Department Medal. Awarded from 3. nov. 1951 - to 1956 in three grades:

- Silver Grade with Golden Strap

- Silver Grade

- Bronze Grade

Hi, Gordon !

In Your photo are two bronze, and one silver grade Miners medal! The gold grade had red enamel!

Zsolt

The hanging loop was soldered to the metal bar.

Gordon,

I think, Your medal is a home-made piece. The ring may have broken down from the metal bar, and somebody applicated it into a trifold ribbon.

It was founded in 1969 October.

The bottom of the leather luxury box (with blue velvet!).