Badge to a Fighter of OKDVA, OSOAVIAKhIM issue, 1930.

Brass, enamels; the oval portion not including the protruding hat of the solider and flagpole finial measures 41.7 mm in height (the "egg" portion only not including the soldier's head) x 32.7 mm in width. Two-piece construction: the cogwheel and star emblem is a separate, superimposed part attached by wires. Shows the railroad passing among the distinctive Manchurian sopka hills. The writing on the background is "KVZhD" - Cyrillic abbreviation for the Chinese Eastern Railroad. The raised inscription along the edge is "OSOAVIAKhIM. To a Fighter of OKDVA".

In fine overall condition. The enamel on the banner is well- preserved overall, better than on most other surviving examples of this badge. There is a single tiny repair in the upper corner of the banner, a triangular area roughly 3 mm tall. The enamel on the rest of the banner is largely intact having only minor scratches and minimal surface flaking along the right edge. It retains very attractive luster. A substantial portion of the enamel on the star is replaced with the same epoxy based compound as in the upper tip of the banner. Judging by its amateur nature, this is probably a very old repair, very possibly done by the original owner of the badge.

The badge shows very little overall wear and its raised details are exceptionally well preserved. In particular, the face of the soldier, his hand holding the rifle, and his hat are crisp and nearly pristine - an extremely uncommon case for this badge. The raised inscription "OSOAVIAKhIM" is completely intact (many recipients had it erased, apparently to emphasize the "military" nature of their decoration). Traces of the original silver finish are visible in recessed areas on both sides of the badge. The screw post is of full length, approx. 10 mm; unlike many of the OKDVA badges we have seen, the screw post has not been repaired and remains fully functional. The badge includes scarce original screw plate marked "FABMASS Factory, Leningrad".

The badge was issued to the servicemen of the Order of the Red Banner Far Eastern Special Army (OKDVA) who participated in the 1929 campaign against the Manchurian warlord. This "lightning" offensive led by Marshal Blyukher reestablished Soviet control over the strategic railroad built by Russia in the early 1900s. The decisive and relatively easy victory gave Blyukher celebrity status in the Soviet Union and enormous power in the Far East. Thus it may have also spelled his doom - he would be the last of the top Soviet military commanders to be executed prior to the Patriotic War. Although instituted by the OSOAVIAKhIM paramilitary organization, the OKDVA badge is rightfully considered a military award, essentially a campaign medal.

/"Avers 8", p. 311, fig. 1528; also Borisov, "Badges of the Soviet Armed Forces", fig. 138, V. Durov, "Russian and Soviet Military Awards" p. 72, fig. 3/


$295.00