Hungary Szit Badge (For Gordon and Charles)

[Ulsterman]

A lovely little badge in a wonderful 1960s box-red velvet backing. I assume for gernade tossing: 4cm high, 3 cm across.

[hunyadi]

That is an interesting one - never seen it before. Are you certain that the letters are SZIT? That organization was abandoned in the 1950's. From my eyes it looks like EZTT or SZTT??? from the look of it though, the sword and the odd looking discus in the figures hand would lead me to believe that its for a grenade toss competition. It may also be post 1990 as there is no star on it?

[Ulsterman]

Ah-right you are:" SZTT".

The case is a mini 1960s case red, scarlet velvet interior, white poly/silk top:nice. ...smells like cigarette smoke.

[hunyadi]

In my short search, I have found a couple of SZTT's - the TT's are mostly "Academic Body (Corps)" SZ could be for the Sz?chenyi (Tudom?nyos T?rsas?g). Still, never seen anything like it. Can you post a photo of the case - or more importantly - is the recess of the case molded to the badge? If so - then probably from the 1960's-70's.

Zsolt may know more about this?

[Ulsterman]

Yes, it is recessed, but my camera skills are inadequate. I can scan though. The bottom of the case has that "tartan pattern" paper found on the bottom of so many other cases with brass front clasps. It came with an academy badge....and a whole bunch of LS medals and a centennial medal, state service medal etc.. In cases.

[hunyadi]

Hummmmm - interesting - the tartan pattern of the scuff pad indicates pre 1956 manufacture. Is the insert (for the badge) of the case plastic with sprayed on felt? Or is it cut out cardboard or wood? There were some oolder cases 'found' in the 1970's without the inserts and the old scuff pads. Plastic inserts were added. It would seem that this was part of a group? What kind of academy badge? Blue backed one or another type? Now I am curious!

[Ulsterman]

wooden case, velevet insert. Military academy badge

[Gordon Craig]

Ulsterman,

Camera skills are a must or you are going to drive us crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Academy badge in a wooden case? By wooden I assume you mean wooden one covered in the imitation red leather? There are two types of "academy" badges. One for graduating from a millitary academy another for graduating from a civilian university. What are the colours of the outside diamond and the main body of the badge? SZTT is a new one to me as well and without a red star is really strange although the Socialista Brigada badges only have the crest and no red star. Will have to work on this one and get back to you.

Perhaps I can help with the camera. We are talking didgtal camera here, right? For good, clear, close ups you need to use the macro setting. On most digital cameras this is the "flower" symbol. Look in the manual for the macro setting. Most manuals I have seen show the "flower" symbol with the macro instructions. Average macro distance is between 1.5 to 5 inches. Macro settings also introduce some blurring if the camera is not held steady. With a little practice I have become pretty good at macro shots. I still get some that are blurry and this usually doesn't show up until you put it on your computer. Then it is delete and reshoot. Charles has a small tripod that enhances his ability to take shots in stores, flea markets etc. We both carry a small piece of cloth for a background to reduce the size of the picture (pixles) and enhance contrast. Charles prefers black while I prefer white. I print a lot of pictures so white is better for me as it doesn't use up tons of black ink when I print.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

This badge is bothering me no end! I am sure I have seen it before but that doesn't help much. Here are some MHS and some MHSZ grenade throwing badges which are definitely from the HUPR time period for comparison. Two undated and one dated 1961 although the designs are identical. These were the same organizations only after a name changes MHS became MHSZ.

Regards,

Gordon