Chris S

The back...made of silver but not hallmarked. Chris

A closer one of the front... Chris

The Shield Front which displays the colours of the Estonian Flag. Chris

Hi Lee Yes, this is a very hard to find badge and possible amongst the rarest of pilots badges as the Airforce only had 150 pilots...very lucky to find it in its case as well. The shield is separate to the badge with the claws part of the shield. Regards Chris

The back...

Closer of the front...

This is a cased Pilots Wing issued to an Airforce with approx 150 pilots...made of silver by Roman Tavast who eventually died at the ands of the Soviets. Chris

He has one now for 595USD now....it will sell...but I agree with your statement. Chris

Fair comment...and even I now kick myself on what I thought then was expensive! Chris

Rick I am sure like a lot of bronze badges they had a nickel finish...yes, I am sure the proud owner of his badge polished it! Great to see an award booklet. Chris

The back of the Army badge...also came in a flat back version... Chris

The Bronze Navy badge interestingly with a lower number of 5321 so I think that time served or rank may have determined a silver or bronze award. I always tended to think that the metal content changed due to time...now I think it may be a bit of both. Chris

The back of the silver Navy Badge 7341 Chris

These are the badges that were the predecessors of the WW2 and early 50ties series of excellent badges The top two Excellent in Navy in silver and bronze...the bottom...Excellent in Army...these were 38-41 issues. Chris

It will be very interesting to see what happens to the main Soviet medal sites in the US of A....in the near future with demand High in Russia...I for one do not buy anything any more....just to expensive. Chris

I think this pin is also connected to these early badge series... Chris

Eastern Europe is now just as expensive and they tend to scope the internet to check prices...no deals anymore. Chris

OPW 1st screwbacks which were 110 USD five years ago are now 550 US on the same dealers site...Sovorovs 2nd class were 2K USD and are now 12 to 14K. The order of Lenin I would say is one of the few medals to have varied little in price over the years, except the rare types. They are beginning to creep up in price but the one quoted is way over priced... Chris

Chuck Are you a diplomat? chris

This looks like a classic fantasy piece Chris

Chuck...I think Jan hit it on the head...I think forum members do enjoy looking at these early badges and it is not the yawn you mentioned, it is just that they are so few . The the WW2 Pilots wings for example...few people know they were issued and genuine intricate friendship badges are also hard to find and getting very expensive when they do. Great grouping by the way with that early screwbacks Red Banner of Labour and when they were awarded sparingly Chris

and the guys who trained with these early aviation society's which were a guise for future military expansion may have earned their military wings!

and another 20ties....badge..

Another 20ties version... Chris

These are a coupe of my early Friends of aviation society...great badges brilliantly executed! This one came in two variations CCCP and 1923...this is the 1923 award....oh and a solid gold version...never seen one...but it must be worth a fortune! Chris