• AlexMP GTD

  

  Soviet Navy Dirk, Model 1955 (ZiK, Zlatoust) (Lot: 1297)

  Officer’s dirk of the USSR Navy, Model 1955. Polished blade with factory etching and maker’s mark ZiK (Zlatoust Tool Plant), dated 1977. Light-colored grip with brass fittings, pommel decorated with the Soviet state emblem. Classic brass crossguard. Black scabbard with brass mounts and suspension rings. An original complete example, showing honest age wear and natural patina, with no restoration.

  $ 325 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Activist of the OSOAVIAKhIM badge, #3573, circa early 1930s. (Lot: 548)

  In silver and enamels. Measures 35.0 mm in height (from the bottom of the badge to the top point of the banner, not including the flagpole finial); 31.0 mm in width (near the bottom, along the swallow-tail scroll). Stamped serial number “3573” to the reverse. The reverse also shows sterling silver hallmark “916”, additional assay inspection hallmark and Cyrillic maker mark “KhEM”. Extremely nice quality, characteristic of the award badges of the early 30s.

  In very fine condition overall. The obverse is very fine to excellent, with nicely preserved showing attractive original luster. There are minor scratches and contact marks to enamel but they are not easily noticeable to the naked eye. There are no chips or flaking anywhere. The details are well preserved and crisp; the only visible flaw is a small dent on the rifle butt. The reverse is pristine and shows attractive patina. The silver screw post has been reduced for wearing convenience as was customary but its remaining length of over 4 mm is enough to accommodate a screw plate. The wing nut marked “Vsekokhudoznik, Moscow” is of the period although probably not original to the badge.

  $ 750 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Activist of the OSOAVIAKhIM badge, #27763, mid to late 1930s. (Lot: 547)

  In bronze-plated and nickel-plated steel, enamels; 36.6 x 30.0 mm. Very uncommon version featuring hollow construction formed by a flat back plate with two vent holes. The serial number is stamped in the lower portion of the reverse.

  In very fine condition. The enamel is mostly intact, with only a few small contact marks and tiny flakes, practically unnoticeable; still has its original luster. The silver finish shows very light wear to high points but is mostly intact otherwise. The screw post might have been replaced at some point and the screw plate, although of the period, is probably not original to the badge.

  Auction Ended
  SOLD for $ 240
• Seller GTD

  

  Badge of a Red Army Air Force Pilot-Instructor, 1945-1949. (Lot: 546)

  Brass, enamels; measures 24.5 mm in height, 60.4 mm in width; the width of the enameled portion is 37.0 mm; weighs 11.7 g without the screw plate. Three-piece construction: the propeller and wings are separate parts attached to the enameled triangular base by wires.

  In excellent condition. The enamel is essentially perfect and shows a beautiful luster; there are only some microscopic contact marks that are completely unnoticeable to the naked eye. Unlike the sky-blue and white enamels in the center, the red enamel on the stars is the “cold” variety as it is supposed to be; it is of lighter shade of red than on most other badges of this type we have seen, but the color may vary and there are no obvious signs that it has been restored. The enamel in the center is unquestionably original. Traces of the original silver finish are clearly visible on the vertical edges of the propeller and wings, while the silver plating on the reverse is clearly visible throughout. The wire attachment is sound and relatively tight, allowing only a very minimal movement of the superimposed parts.

  The screw post is nearly 9 mm in length, has not been shortened, and includes original screw plate maker-marked Lenizo Enamel Factory.

  There is some debate among collectors about the exact time when this badge was introduced: according to many sources such as Avers 8, it was issued from 1943-45. We believe that it was instituted and manufactured immediately after the end of the Patriotic War and awarded for just a few years up until 1949. Judging by the inscription referring to the Red Army, it was designed and produced before mid-1946 (when the official designation changed to the Soviet Army). It is therefore not inconceivable that this badge could be worn at the end of WW2 by a pilot participating in the Soviet “blitz” campaign against Japan.

  These very scarce Soviet Air Force wings are not to miss out on!

  $ 1,350 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Advanced Training School for Air Force Technical Personnel, graduation badge, #77, 1936-38. (Lot: 545)

  Brass, silver plating, enamel. Measures 35.6 mm in height, 53.6 mm in width; weighs 13.1 g without the screw plate. Massive riveted four- piece construction: the enameled red star, technical branch emblem of hammer and wrench, and aircraft engine are separate parts superimposed on the winged base. Engraved serial number to the reverse.

  Excellent condition. The enamel on the star is essentially perfect and shows a beautiful luster; it has only a couple of microscopic contact marks that are completely invisible to the naked eye and none of the usual chips, flaking, rubbing or repairs. The silver plating on the wings, aircraft motor and the reverse is well-preserved, having only a minor amount of wear to the high points and exhibiting a very attractive uniform patina. There is a small amount of verdigris on the obverse under the star, greatly exaggerated in our enlarged photos but not detractive in the least in real life. The original copper screw post is full-length, approx. 14 mm. The unmarked screw plate is a replacement but works perfectly with the screw.

  This piece is one of the first Soviet Air Force graduation badges, the type issued for only two years. In 1938, this series was replaced by a new series of badges, unnumbered, lighter-weight and of more streamlined design. The badges of the first series are rare. It is due in large part to the terrible attrition suffered by the Soviet Air Force cadres in the first weeks and months following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. It also must be mentioned that the number of graduates of Soviet military aviation schools increased dramatically just before WW2, which of course reflects on the rarity of the early AF school badges in comparison with the 1938 series.

  $ 1,750 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Order of the Badge of Honor, Type 1 Variation 2, #350, circa 1936. (Lot: 544)

  Silver gilt, enamels. Measures 38.6 mm in height, 27.9 mm in width; weights 22.4 g without the screw plate. Riveted multi-piece construction (each letter in the “CCCP” is attached by copper pins). The serial number is engraved in very large numerals, in the manner characteristic of the Type 1 Var. 2.

  In excellent condition, nearly unheard of for the “Small” Type 1 Badge of Honor. The enamel in particular is exceptionally well-preserved: it is completely free of any wear visible to the naked eye, shows a magnificent luster, and has only a few microscopic contact marks and flakes that are invisible without magnification. The letters “CCCP” are original, have much of their original gilt still present, and are tightly attached by the original pins. The raised details of the male and female workers are nicely preserved and crisp, nearly pristine.

  The reverse is likewise practically pristine, exhibiting a beautiful patina to silver. The screw post is well over 11 mm long, and has not been shortened. Included is the original 17.6 mm wide silver screw plate with Mondvor logo, weighing 2.0 g, a unique type used only on the Type 1 “Small” Badge of Honor.

  The order comes with a McDaniel certificate of authentication from November 1999 that gives it a practically unprecedented 9 out of 10 condition rating. Based on our own experience, we agree that this superb and rare piece is nearly impossible to upgrade condition-wise.

  The “Small” version of the Badge of Honor is among the rarest Soviet awards: only about 1500 were ever produced, and many were replaced later with the more “modern” full-size types. Another major factor contributing to its rarity is the fact that a sizable percentage of the issues were to top party officials and NKVD officers. At the time, they were prime candidates for extermination in the next wave of Stalin’s purges – which meant that their orders would have been confiscated and melted down for scrap.

  Please note, the “regular size” (Type 2) Order of the Badge of Honor in our last photo is there for size comparison and is not included with the purchase of the Type 1.

  $ 17,000 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Order of the Red Banner of Labor, Type 2 with engraved “Mondvor” mint mark, #10675, circa 1942. (Lot: 543)

  Silver gilt, enamels. Measures 45.6 mm in height, 37.2 mm in width; weighs 38.1 g without the screw plate. Manufactured soon after much of the Leningrad Mint facilities and workers evacuated to the city of Krasnokamsk and set up a new mint there. In the manner typical of the early Krasnokamsk Mint manufacture, the order was assembled from the available parts which had not been completed earlier or were salvaged from specimens that previously had not passed the quality control. Note the repaired upper rivets and the fact that the banner is slightly misaligned with the back plate

  $ 7,500 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Order of the Red Banner of Labor, Type 3, Variation 1 “jumbo”, #23820, circa late 1943 – early 1944. (Lot: 542)

  Silver gilt, enamels. Measures 50.9 mm in height including the eyelet, 37.9 mm in width; weighs 38.8 g not including the suspension and connecting link. The red enamel is of characteristically light shade. Overall, an extremely attractive piece.

  This piece is among the earliest of the suspension type Orders of Red Banner of Labor, and unlike most, it was almost certainly awarded during the Patriotic War. The mint mark located near the top is slightly curved up and measures approximately 7 mm in width. This type of mint mark is found only on the Red Banners of Labor in the current

  $ 750 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Order of the Badge of Honor, Type 3, Variation 2, #100960, circa 1948. (Lot: 541)

  Silver gilt, enamels; measures 50.4 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 33.0 mm in width; weighs 36.9 g not incl. the suspension and connecting link. Features riveted construction with flat reverse and very small mint mark. According to the Mondvor.narod.ru classification, this is Type 3 Var. 4 found in two serial number ranges, 96730 – 126557 and 185869 – 187509.

  Excellent condition. The enamel and details are perfect. Pale spot at the top of the reverse is apparently due to an old sticker that covered that area, sure to blend in eventually as silver patina takes over. Come

  $ 250 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  St. George Cross, 4th Class, № 329 809 (Russian Empire). (Lot: 507)

  $ 580 fee: 22.5%
• Seller GTD

  

  Commemorative donation badge “For the Collection of Charitable Contributions of the Community of Sisters of Mercy and for Establishing Shelters for the Homeless” (Russian Empire, 1896). (Lot: 505)

  $ 530 fee: 22.5%

Sold at Blitz price