Greg Collins

The star-like mint mark in the third image of the first post indicates it was made by the Pobeda factory.

I believe your badge is genuine, and one of many variations that were made at the time (check out Avers 8, page 444- 5 variations are shown and I've seen others). Silver plated brass and enamel, two layers, screw back with the owners name and award number engraved. Looks like they were only going to simply number the badge at first, then changed their minds and added the name- although that could have been done by the owner (many Soviet badges of that time were engraved in this way). Anyway, it's award #535 given to Vostrikov, Aleksandr Yakovlevich.

Dan, Post 1: (Soviet) Higher MVD School, '78-'91 Post 3: (Soviet) Intermediate Level Military Academy badge, early to late '80's Post 5: (Soviet) High Level Military Academy badge, late and probably private manufacture Post 6: (RF) Medical University graduate badge Post 7: (Soviet) Mozhaiskiy Military Engineers Command Academy badge, late and probably private manufacture Post 8: (Soviet) University of Marx and Lenin badge, '70's-'80's Post 9: (Soviet) Leningrad V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin) Institute of Electrical Engineering, Type 2 '60's-'70's. BUT THE COLOURS ARE ALL WRONG HERE!!! Should be yellow-green border and white center. Can you see evidence of re-enameling? Post 10: (RF) An MVD Academy badge... SUI (?), 10 year. Post 11: (probably Soviet) Petersburg State University of Railways of Emperor Alexander 1 Hope this helps. Greg

Maxim- you're absolutely correct, this uniform is still in use and, in this case, I'm happy I'm wrong... I think the Marine Corps Green Service uniform is one of the US's nicest looking uniforms. It was the khaki service uniform (tan) that was phased out. Sorry for the misinformation- my bad.

The jacket is that of the US Marine Corps Master Sergeant with 20 years of service. It is not WW2- the stripes would not have crossed rifles nor would the belt be made of the uniform material (it would be leather). This jacket was still in use when I entered the Navy (1976) but, I understand, it has been done away with since. I was sorry to hear that as, in my opinion, it was the most "Marine-looking" uniform they had (I was never that crazy about the blue dress uniform).

NavyFCO is right on target with the translation and, based on the look of the badge, I would guess it's a light alloy with paint, pin backed ("znacki-quality"). Based on the plane, I would say it's a fairly recent commemorative-type badge.

#8 is a '70's badge- "For Victory in Socialist Competition".

Thanks, Mark! I'm tempted to say (or is it just being hopeful) that this badge, without Rakosi or Kadar seal, just might be a badge from 1948 (Tildy). The tri-colour bow has the "feel" of other badges and awards of that time. Greg

I recently picked this badge up from a Bulgarian vendor I have dealt with over the years. It is of two piece construction, heavy bronze with a pin back. The front reads, "National Agricultural Exhibition". So, I know WHAT it is... does anyone here have an idea of WHEN it was? The badge looks to be anywhere from early post-WW2 (Tildy government) through the Rakosi era; looks a little old to be Kadar period. I'd just like to know a period for this piece. Thanks.

Kevin, The ribbon isn't correct for the medal, and the medal could have one of three different ribbons attached to it: dark blue with red-white-green center stripe (Public Security), green with red-white-green (very thin white stripe on either side to separate it from the green background) center stripe (Border Guard) and, finally, red with a broad blue stripe flanked on either side by a thin white stripe (AVH). That's right, the only difference is the ribbon, the medals are all the same. This image of all three bronze grades is built from images in my Hungarian gallery: Best, Greg

My absolute favorite seller, and one I always go to when I need assistance, is Torsten Belger at germandotmilitaria.com. I use Torsten for DDR items, but he also sells German militaria from WW's 1, 2 and the Bundesrepublik. He sells from both his website as well as our favorite auction site. I highly recommend him.

Ah, now I get it (takes longer at an advanced age)! Could be "lowering the line" or, just maybe, tastes change. Who knows?

Ok, ok, you caught me writing in the vernacular. What I mean is that, at times, certain items seem to fall out of favour with collectors or, perhaps, because of what they are, are just not what collectors are looking for at that moment in time... even though they may be quite rare. But, often enough, if you wait awhile and hold on to what you have, you may find the collector market turns (circle) in your favour. I found this to be true regarding the Mongolian end of my collection. When I began, no one seemed to want or particularly care about Mongolian items. Boy, did that change!

Well Nick, yeah, I guess... philosophizing makes me feel better when parts of my collection seem to go down in value... helps me hold on because I know that, if I let things run full circle, they'll be back up in value... if I wait long enough... I guess...

At that point that someone is willing to pay more for it. These items we collect are, in cold reality, only worth their smelt value. Which, essentially, means a Belgrade or Odessa is worth about 3 cents. The remaining "worth" (value) of an award is what we're willing to pay above and beyond the smelt value. Of course a Lenin will be worth more due to gold and platinum content, but the smelt value is nowhere near the collector value of the award. And, when you get right down to it, the "market" even decides the smelt value. Gold, after all, is just a rock that we've decided is worth a lot of money.