Czechoslovakia Two Communist period badges

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

While at an antique fair on Saturday I picked up two Czech badges. One Czech Specialist 3rd Class and one Exemplary Army unit badge. At least that is what I have found them called on the net.

I have some questions about them. First the Specialist 3rd Class badge;

1-Was this badge worn by all military organizations? If not, who did wear it?

2-Was it worn by para-military organizations?

3-The badge I have is screw back. I have only found pictures on-line that show what appears to be a later type without a screw back. Just two prongs that perhaps are fastened through the uniform. During what periods were each of these badges worn?

4-Where were these badges worn on the tunic?

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

The back of the screw type badge. Unfortunately the nut is missing.

[Gordon Craig]

The front and back of the later badge. You can see from these pictures that the quality of these badges is no where near that of the screw type badge.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Gordon Craig

[Gordon Craig]

Now for the Exemplary Army Unit badge. The questions I have on this one are the same as for the Specialist badge.

[Gordon Craig]

The back of the Exemplary Army Unit badge.

[ondras]

Hello,

these to badges were used in Czechoslovakian peoples army ( not Czech, Czech Republic was formed in 1993, before it was Czechoslovakia ). The specialist badge could be also used in Peoples Militia units ( armed forces of Czechoslovakia comunist party ). The older version with screw was used in sixties and seventees, the new one in eighties. There are four classes of specialits badge, the third is the lesser one ( 3, 2, 1 and M - master class ).

The exemplary unit badge was used only in the regular army and this aluminium version is from eighties.

All of these badges were worn above the right brest pocket of the uniform. The specialist badge just above the pocket and above it soldier could have two another badges. Most common was "exemplary soldier badge " and "exemplary unit badge". I could post you a picture from "uniform regulations".

If you have any other question about Czechoslovakian badges, lets ask.

With best regars

Ondrej - Prague - Czech Republic

[Gordon Craig]

Ondrej,

Thanks very much for the information. Thanks for the offer to post a picture from the uniform regulations. I would like to see the picture from the regulations.

One more question. Were these badges worn only on the service dress uniform on the field uniform as well?

Regards,

Gordon

[ondras]

Gordon,

here are two pictures. First one is page from uniform regulations (example for one, two and three badges ) and second one is photo from my uniforms collection. It is a photo of service dress uniform ( i dont know how it translate in english, but Exemplary soldier badge and Exemplary unit badge is only for soldiers who wasnt professionals. Every man over 18 yers must serve for two years in army and this uniform is for that soldiers ). Badges was worn only on this kind of uniform, not on the field. With one exception. Badge of Exemplary soldier could be worn on field uniform, but it was not usual.

Regards

Ondrej

[Gordon Craig]

Ondrej,

Thanks very much for this info. So these badges were only worn by soldiers doing their national service. I guess that I need to add to my Czechoslovakian uniform collection and my knowledge about their uniforms and badges.

Regards,

Gordon

[ondras]

Gordon,

specialst class badge could be also worn by proffesional officers but exemplary unit not. Czechoslovakia militaria isnt so popular at this forum as i could see. Its strange for me, every communist coutry has its our topic, except Czechoslovakia.

Regards,

Ondrej

[Gordon Craig]

Ondrej,

Yes it is strange that Czechoslovakia militaria is not as popular as other on this forum. I posted the same questions on another fourm and did not get any answer. Perhaps we can raise some interest by posting things from Czechoslovakia more often. I have a picture of a medal I will post tomorrow in the hopes that you can identify it for me. Every country does not have its own forum which is why we have this one. Without sufficient interest there would not be a forum for other countries.

Regards,

Gordon