Greg Collins

Paul,

Since you're showing the rating badge of a Chief Hospital Corpsman in the Coast Guard, I'm going to assume you're on the same side of the pond as I am... in which case these can be quite hard to come by. I'd suggest you look at the German location of our favorite auction site- you may find one there more easily. These, like many of the earlier DDR awards, are becoming somewhat rare.

Megan,

Of course you may use it on your website- I'm honoured. The date span for your award is 1977-1978 (Bartel 54g); this is the year when the hammer fill-medium went from enamel to lacquer.

The KVP medal and ribbon bar in case:

The Medaille fur treue Dienste in der Kasernierten Volkspolizei was established on 28 May 1954 and was given from '54 through '56. There are two types of the medal; one with number and one without number (quite rare). Note that there is no staatswappen (State Seal) on the flag and the early rendition of the State Seal on the reverse. The number of this particular award is 002081 (Bartel 135a).

And the award in it's case:

An earlier example of this award- '52-'54 (Bartel 54c). In this incarnation, the ribbon's base colour is purple. Also note the brass "frame" at the ribbon's top and bottom and the earlier catch on the back. The peen of the hammer faces the other way and the hammer is filled with hot enamel rather than paint.

I've often wondered if the cloisonne seals were outsourced by the State Mint... there always seem to be colour differences in the wreath, the sun and the blue of the sky. I have three Patriotic Guard beret emblems all of which have a decidedly different look. Your Academy badges also make me wonder at what point it was decided to go to a pin back rather than a screw back.

By the way, Kevin, let's go back to the photo in your post #5. Do you happen to know what award is pictured above this gentleman's Academy badges? I can't quite figure it out.

It's the "Munkas-Paraszt Hatalomert Emlekerem" or "Restoration of the Workers and Peasants Rule Medal", 1957. Awarded for action in suppressing the counter-revolution in 1956. Yes, it is the highest award in that particular "rack".

An example with ribbon bar and, though still a first type, a different latch on the back of the medal support. The first type (Bartel 165a) has a ribbon width of 28mm (1958). The second type (Bartel 165b) has a ribbon width of 24mm (1959-90)

Here's a detail of the ribbon bar with it's miniature medallion:

Here's a cased example with ribbon bar... the case is covered in a grey leatherette with an impressed gold rectangle and has a push button locking mechanism (which no longer works). The scuff of the case is of the same material as the top. The inside is lined in maroon velvet.

And, finally, a comparison of the medal fronts:

On to the 30 Years SNB Medal:

I have two additional SNB medals that have neither been shown nor discussed here... an SNB Service Medal and a 30 Years SNB Medal. I have seen both turn up on other Warsaw Pact uniforms, most notably on uniforms of the DDR MfS (Stasi). First, the SNB Service Medal:

Gordon,

Some of the problems often encountered with DDR awards stem from the fact that, unlike other eastern block countries, medals and badges weren't made at a national mint but, rather, jobbed-out to a private manufacturer... often with several manufacturers producing the same badge/medal/order. And yes, I've seen many examples of "part substitution"- such as when an older medal is held by a newer clasp- it's what they had lying around at the time. So there are often differences in paint/enamel colour, clasping mechanisms, finish, etc.. Determining a fake from an original can be daunting, at times, unless you're aware of the degrees of variance of some areas and those areas that don't vary. I'm fortunate to have a relationship with both Frank Bartel and Ralph Pickard who, invariably, help me out when I'm stumped.

And a detail of the back. It goes without saying that the overall quality of the medal was best with the first type- this seems to be the story with all DDR medals.

The back:

And a detail of the front:

OK, went back to the books, as well as the collection, and was able to find the following: according to Frank Bartel's "DDR Spezialkatalog 1949-1990", the medal itself will always come in at 32.3 mm diameter. The ribbon (spangen) will always be 11.5 mm tall BUT, on the first type (1957-58) will be 28 mm wide (long). On the 2nd type (1959-60) the ribbon will be 24 mm wide (long). The third type (1961-80) is the same as the second, except for the fastening method. Of course, the method of fastening shown on Megan's is of the first type.

Here's my 3rd type, with ribbon bar (note fastener on image of reverse):

Gordon,

Insofar as I know- and I'm using one of Frank Bartel's books as a reference- the primary difference is the size of the ribbon suspension.

A view of the back shows these were numbered and were screwed on vs pin on like the RSR versions. The "nut", while fitting well, may be a replacement.

Well, at last... at long last... I was able to snag one of these; an RPR Military Academy badge!!! This is actually the second type of RPR badge (still looking for a first type), and is the type worn in Kevin's post #5. Note the RPR on the banner in the detail image. The lower left arm of the star appears to be missing enamel- it isn't, some air invasion has darkened it.

Wow Charles! That is beautiful! :cheers:

Charles and Gordon,

Thanks for the information! It appears, from Tamas' answer, that there was a "slop" factor (fuzzy area) immediately after the '56 revolution before things became standardized. Understandable, as there were more pressing things than cap badges on peoples' minds at that time.

Charles,

What cap insignia did the Border Guard use after the '56 revolution? Did they go to the police insignia (with crossed weapons below the star) or did they adopt the star over the tri-colour- the same as the armed forces?