Hungary Badges and Awards worn by the Munkasor

[Gordon Craig]

These next few pictures are interesting because they show a number of different awards in wear by members of the Munkasor. It also shows that civilian awards were worn in conjunction with medals or with ribbon bars. The first picture shows a senior member of the Munkasor wearing his state awards on his left, awards presented for excellent service by the Munkasor, and awards presented by civilian firms worn on his right hand side. Of particular interest, at least to me, is the order of precedence of the awards on the wearers right side. The first award is a Socialista Brigad badge, followed by a 25 Year long service award from a private firm. The next two seem to be Munkasor badges.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

Here is a picture of a member of the Munkasor wearing all of his awards for parade.

[Ed_Haynes]

Worker's Militia medal "for faithful service of the homeland and people", cased.

[Ed_Haynes]

And document.

[Gordon Craig]

Gents,

In the first picture I identified the "25 year badge" as a long service award from a private firm. Now that I own one of these badges, I think that was an incorrect statement. The star part of the badge bears only the insignia of the Munkasor so it probably represents 25 years of the Munkasor and not 25 years working for the same firm. The badge is extremely well made with good enamel and a nice metalic finish. Here is the front of the badge.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

The reverse of the badge.

[Gordon Craig]

One of the badges that appears in most pictures of Munkasor in uniforms, worn on the right pocket or sometimes above it, is what is often refered to simply as "The Munkasor Badge". I've seen it so often in picutres, although not in any previous one in this thread, that I came to consider it as something you got automatically when you joined the Munkasor. That was until today when I discovered a document related to the presentation of the badge. The picture below is a "Commendation" (D?CS?RET) in acknowledgement for completing a years training in the Munkasor. The picture of the Commendation paper also shows the large and the small badges awarded in acknowledgement of the completion of the training. It was issued by the Headquarters of the 13th National District of the Munkasor.

Regards,

Gordon

Edited January 21, 2008 by Gordon Craig

[Gordon Craig]

And document.

Ed,

The document you have posted would be the carrying document to prove you had the right to wear the medal. I don't know if I have a full size award document but I'll have a look. If I don't, perhaps Charles could post a picture of one.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

There are two types of the Munkasor badge that comes with the above document. The one shown with the document appears to be the brass pin back type. There is a gold post and nut type as well. The brass coloured one I have in my collection is number on the reverse of the Ppsh butt as #18851. The gold one does not have a number but the nut is marked with the PV of the State Mint. The barss one is a much heavier stamping and has the Hungarian national colours painted on. The gold one appears have the Hungarian national colours in hot enamel. Here are picturs of the obvers and reverse of these awards.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

The reverse.

[Gordon Craig]

Here is a totally new one I picked up a couple of weeks ago. It is a Munkasor Shooting Championship award dated 1960. The first one I have ever seen. Since it is in silver I have to assume that there is a bronze and gold award for at least 1960. Probably other years as well. It is a three piece badge with the red enamel star and the Ppsh being held to the body of the award with rivets. The prongs on the back are one typical way of attaching the badge to the tunic using thread loops. There are no makers marks visible on the badge. It is 36mm (1 7/16") in diametre.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

The reverse.

[hunyadi]

Oh - ooooooooohhhhhhhhh..... it just dawned on me that my early type Munkasor comabt jacket (date 1961) with the 'odd loops' on the left breast pocket...was probably where that badge went...

[hunyadi]

Also - got lost on the shooting badge the pin back type with the serial number is the early type from 1957 to early 1960's (1962-63???) After this they went with the screwback design.

Currently I dont have a photo of the fulls size document, but it followed the standard A3 type of document in a folder.

[Gordon Craig]

Charles,

Thanks for the info on the possible date of use of the pin back versus screw back badge. I kind of felt that the pin back came first but wasn't sure.

I guess we have to keep our eyes open for another shooting badge for your Munkasor tunic.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

Gents,

In the first picture I identified the "25 year badge" as a long service award from a private firm. Now that I own one of these badges, I think that was an incorrect statement. The star part of the badge bears only the insignia of the Munkasor so it probably represents 25 years of the Munkasor and not 25 years working for the same firm. The badge is extremely well made with good enamel and a nice metalic finish. Here is the front of the badge.

Regards,

Gordon

I now have a cased example of this award. It comes in a blue plastic case with a blue insert. As often happens with these plastic cases, the hinges are broken. I'll have to find a source of new hinges for my cases one of these days.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

A closer view of the award in its case.

[Ulsterman]

Nice!

I am jealous. :Cat-Scratch: