Soviet Russian KGB Border Guard Badge Excellent Service Award Rare MVD 1953 Type top USSR State Security Original Medal
Soviet Badge of Excellent MVD Border Guard, 1953 –57 issue.
GUARANTEED 100% ORIGINAL Soviet award, not a recent copy!
Made in Brass and high quality enamels; measures over 51 mm tall. The center shows a soldier clad in winter gear with WW2 era PPSh sub-machine gun in front of the border post and Kremlin tower. At the bottom is early oval emblem of the Soviet State Security with sword and hammer & sickle. Very large, well made and top attractive piece! This badge was a high award bestowed upon the best Border Guards for outstanding achievements.
Border Guards were of course a part of State Security apparatus for most of the Soviet Union's history. In 1953, after the death of Stalin and execution of Beria, Soviet authorities greatly diminished the State Security apparatus which had grown too big for the Kremlin leaders' comfort. That year, Ministry of State Security (MGB) was disbanded and the Border Guards were transferred to the control of MVD (Ministry of Interior). Later in 1957, Border Guards once again became a part of State Security. This particular badge says “MVD” on the shield at the bottom, so it's definitely from the short period between 1953 and 1957. It is much more scarce than the post-1957 version of the same badge.
The badge is in VERY GOOD overall condition. There is a small amount of damage to the green border in the corners of the shield (which is where these badges usually get damaged); the chips are relatively small however and are not glaringly obvious. Most of the green enamel is intact and has nice luster to it, and the overall impression is very good. Likewise the red enamel on the star at the top and on the oval plaque with letters “MVD” has small chips and flaking but most of the enamel is still there and the damage is not too noticeable. The enameled border marker behind the border guard is completely intact.
The details of the center medallion are very well preserved. The fragile silver finish is still present although it shows wear to the high points of the soldier, his PPSh submachine gun and the Kremlin tower. The screw post is original and has not been repaired (the black solder around its base is factory applied), measures about 12 mm long. Comes with original screw plate marked “Pobeda Factory, Moscow”.
Overall, this is a great collectible piece with a lot of character!
Certainly a badge to have for a KGB collector or any Cold War history buff.