Bulgaria Bulgarian (?) Medal ID requested

[Hendrik]

Hello,

I think the medal below may be Bulgarian, a commemorative medal for the 10th anniversary of something or other ... any information on it would be welcome.

Thanks,

Hendrik

[Christophe]

Hi Hendrik,

This is the Medal for 10 Years of Irreproachable Service in the Ministry of Interior.

Established in 1964. Issued to policemen, fire fighters and, after 1969, to state security officers (starting that year Bulgarian Committee of State Security merged with the Ministry of Interior). Reverse shows emblem similar to that of Soviet KGB: shield with a vertical sword and hammer and sickle.

Cheers.

Ch.

Edited April 26, 2008 by Christophe

[Christophe]

For example, here is the pic of the same medal, but for 15 Years of service.

Ch.

Pic : CollectRussia

Edited April 26, 2008 by Christophe

[Christophe]

The Obverse.

Ch.

Pic : CollectRussia

Edited April 26, 2008 by Christophe

[Taz]

Hendrik, Christophe,

Looks like the Bulgarian Medal for 10 Years of Irreproachable Service in the Ministry of Interior to me, on the correct ribbon. The reverse has 10 not 15 years service.

The dark blue stripes indicate the following:

1st class 1 stripe, 20 years service

2nd class 2 stripes, 15 years service

3rd class 3 stripes, 10 years service

Regards Eddie

Edited April 26, 2008 by Taz

[Christophe]

Hi Eddie,

Seems logical. I correct my previous post.

Thanks for the corrective message.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Hendrik]

Christophe, Eddie,

That was extremely quick ! Thank you both for solving this little problem of mine

Regards,

Hendrik

Edited April 26, 2008 by Hendrik

[Christophe]

Hi Hendrik,

Happy to help. But the "mystery" is not solved... Yours is far different than the one I posted. look at the reverse... Which period ?

Cheers.

Ch.

[Taz]

Hendrik,Christophe,

There are three main differences to the reverse on these medals.

Henrik's has the newer style MVR Coat of Arms. The one on Igor's site is the older version Coat of Arms. There is also one without the MVR at the bottom, this was issued to Fire service members.

After the 1969 merger between the Bulgarian Committee of State Security and the Ministry of Interior the MVR coat of Arms was probably altered.

Just a little more info under George Dimitrov's image on the obverse is the date of the founding of the MVR Internal Ministry "10.IX.1944"

Edited April 26, 2008 by Taz

[Hendrik]

Gentlemen,

Many thanks indeed to both of you for the interesting additional information and putting the medal within its timeframe !

Regards,

Hendrik

[Taz]

Gentlemen,

Many thanks indeed to both of you for the interesting additional information and putting the medal within its timeframe !

Regards,

Hendrik

Always glad to help

Regards Eddie