Soviet Druzhinnik Michail Igorevich Lavrentiev

[Christian Zulus]

Gentlemen,

the voluntary Militia Auxiliary Units called "Peoples' Voluntary Druzhin" or "DND" had been established in 1959 in the Soviet Union.

The members of these units wore no uniform, but civilian clothes with that special badge and had a special ID-booklet. Their task was specifically to help tackle rising hooliganism and alcoholism at national celebrations, soccer matches, pop concerts, etc.

The example shows an ID-booklet from the late 1960s issued to Michail Igorevich Lavrentiev and the Druzhinnik-badge in the old form. Badges are rather common at the market, but Druzhinnik-ID-booklets rather rare.

Best regards

Christian Zulus

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[Christian Zulus]

Druzhinnik-ID-booklet: Cover & rv. of badge

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[Ed_Haynes]

A nice one, Christian. Thanks!

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Ed,

many thanks for your commentary.

I have also heard, that the role of the Druzhinnika had been also to help tackle political and/or social uproar as auxiliary units for Militia and other forces.

Do you have any evidence for that aspect?

Best regards

Christian

A nice one, Christian. Thanks!

[Ed_Haynes]

Have to look - a FASCINATING slice of social history, though!!

[Christian Zulus]

Thanks

Christian

Have to look - a FASCINATING slice of social history, though!!

[Wild Card]

Christian,

Very,very interesting. Michail looks like a good candidate for the job.

Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Wild Card

Edited October 29, 2006 by Wild Card

[Paul L Murphy]

I was showing a Russian friend of mine some of the badges that I recently bought and when she saw the different Druizhinik badges I had she just snorted and commented "interfering busybodies !". She still has not confessed exactly what type of hooliganism or anti-social behaviour she was involved in all those years ago !

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Wild Card,

the expression on the face of comrade Michail I. Lavrentiev at his ID-booklet fascinated me - this unique mixture of dedication & brutality .

ID-booklet & badge was not cheap - I had to transfer about USD 50,- to my favorite dealer in Vienna, but Michail's expression is something special and Druzhinniks had a very special function in the social system of the Soviet Union!

Best regards from Vienna

Christian

Christian,

Very,very interesting. Michail looks like a good candidate for the job.

Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Wild Card

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Paul,

to interfere was the job of the druzhinniks .

I think, that your Russian friend was just a normal human being .

Best regards

Christian

I was showing a Russian friend of mine some of the badges that I recently bought and when she saw the different Druizhinik badges I had she just snorted and commented "interfering busybodies !". She still has not confessed exactly what type of hooliganism or anti-social behaviour she was involved in all those years ago !

[Paul L Murphy]

Here is a later example of a Druzhinnik ID book. This one is from 1981. There is something about the smug and self-satisfied expression on his face that makes you just know you are not going to like him !

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Paul,

many thanks for your more modern example

The right side of the booklet seems to me not filled out .

And again, we meet a very "nice" guy .

Best regards

Christian Zulus

P.S.: Michail Lavrentiev's Druzhinnik-Badge is of the very first type with enameled surface - not painted, as in the later versions.