Greg Collins

And the back...

An Az Egészségügy Kiváló Dolgozója (Excellent Worker of the Public Health) badge from 1953.

Though not 100% reversed due to the thickness of the material you can, nevertheless, see some of the design on the back.

This A Szövetkezeti Ipar Kiváló Dolgozója (Excellent Worker of the Cooperative Industry) from the 1950's is a favorite due to it's bold design and broad use of colour.

Next, a Kiváló Bányász (Excellent Miner) badge from 1954. A three piece badge, it's construction is very similar to many medals of the era.

A rear view of the pin mechanism and a side view of the "sandwich".

A few recent additions to share... first, an A Kisipari Szövetkezet Kiváló Dolgozója (Excellent Worker of the Craftmen's Cooperative) from 1954 badge. A couple of interesting notes to this badge; the white background is on a separate piece of the same diameter that is "sandwiched" with the top piece, adding depth and dimension. Also, the safety pin mechanism is an interesting "opposing tension" type that is nearly identical to the pin set-up on the very last types of DDR awards given prior to 1989. Quite advanced.

I'd be happy to do so, Gordon.

A couple of cap badges: first a Rakosi period cap badge for both the Karhatalom and the Border guard (note the absence of weapons below the star. A two piece badge in brass and hot enamel. For the record, I have never seen an example of this badge with the star placed perfectly- it's always off a bit. The next badge is a Kadar period Police cap badge- note the weapons below the star. This is a one piece badge in brass and cold enamel.

Also in 1952 it was decided to extend this medal to the Border Guard. Again, the only difference between this and the '51 version of the medal is the ribbon. Shown here is the Bronze grade, in case, from the '60's. These were awarded from 1952 until 1989.

In 1952, it was decided to extend this medal to both the armed and uniformed AVH- the Karhatalom. The only difference between the Karhatalom version of the medal and the Police version is the ribbon- that's it. This particular version is the Gold grade in case, again from the '60's. This medal was awarded until the Karhatalom was disbanded in 1971.

A Silver grade 1951 model in case with ribbon. This medal remained unchanged and was given until 1989. This example is from the '60's, judging by the case. I have the document for this as well.

Thanks, Kevin! You know how I crave security items ;-). Here's my collection of Public Security Medals. First, a Bronze grade 1947 model from the Tildy period (coalition government). No case nor ribbon with this one. Pretty rare.

I had to share this before the item even arrived... one of the "grails" of Hungarian security. It's a Kadar period Excellent State Security Police (Karhatalom) Service Badge along with the miniature in case. Very rare. The Rakosi period version of the badge is more rare, but I'm certainly happy to have found this. The period of this badge would be post 1957 until 1971, when the Karhatalom was disbanded.

I'll jump in here and sing Zsolt's praises as well; over 70% of my Hungarian collection was bought from him. Extremely knowledgeable and, above all, honest and forthright. I continue to be one of his very satisfied customers. I would also strongly encourage you to purchase Charles' book, "Elvtars!". It is magnificent- a real "must have" for the Hungarian collector. The current volume deals with the period that covers the Partisan badge ('44-'56). I can hardly wait for the next volume (how long, Charles?).

Finally found a "Leader in Guarding Against Fire" badge from the RPR period. As I already had an RSR version of the badge, this aspect of the collection may now be considered complete.

In the same general vein, a Border Guard Volunteer badge (cold enamel).

Three more year badges, 10, 15 and 25.

Here'a a Kiváló P.F. Or (Kiváló Polgári Fegyveres Or- Excellent Civilian Armed Guard), full sized and miniature. I'm told it's a very rare badge from 1970's.

Good on you, Kevin! I've been looking for those for some time now... can't seem to find them over here.:cheers:

Absolutely correct, Kevin. As a former metal finisher, B. N. (before Navy), I can tell you that, were this not a stippled finish, it would have had to be primed- probably with a zinc chromate primer- which would have "gunked-up" the works on a piece so small. This way, the enamel had something to grip within the piece itself. The clear coating would, in turn, grip the enamel. I really wish I had a new Securitate item to bring this thread back on track but, unfortunately, I don't. The search continues...

Recently acquired this badge for a Brigadier Constructor at the V.I Lenin Hydroelectric Plant. I don't know much about it except that it is a comparatively large, colourful badge and, due to the apparent size of the flag seal, I believe it to be RPR (the RPR flag seal was much larger than the RSR). Does the plant still exist and, if so, does it still bear Lenin's name?

I managed to find a Rakosi era badge to compliment the Kadar era ministerial Kivalo Dolgozo badge I already had, so here's the set:

And last (for now) a Public Security Medal, Silver grade, and doc from 1964:

An Order of Labour, Gold grade, and doc from 1973: