Silver gilt, enamels; measures 45.1 mm in height (incl. eyelet and lower projections of the flagpole and torch), 37.3 mm in width; weighs 28.0 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Manufactured in 1945 at the Moscow Mint (note that the award decree came earlier than the date of manufacture, i.e. the order was bestowed well before it was manufactured and actually delivered to the recipient.) Features a curved-up mint mark in a relatively small font, with a curved dash above the last character in the word "Monetnyi". This is a very uncommon variety: its known serial

Silver gilt, enamels; measures 45.1 mm in height (incl. eyelet and lower projections of the flagpole and torch), 37.3 mm in width; weighs 28.0 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Manufactured in 1945 at the Moscow Mint (note that the award decree came earlier than the date of manufacture, i.e. the order was bestowed well before it was manufactured and actually delivered to the recipient.) Features a curved-up mint mark in a relatively small font, with a curved dash above the last character in the word "Monetnyi". This is a very uncommon variety: its known serial number range is very small, from 189839 through 197976. /Durov & Strekalov, The Order of the Red Banner, p. 132/.

In very fine to excellent condition. The enamel appears practically perfect to the naked eye, having only a few minuscule flakes along the edges of the banner, mostly on the right side and nearly invisible without magnification, and some microscopic contact marks. There are no chips, scratches, or significant flaking; the enamel retains a beautiful luster everywhere. The details of the wreath, torch and flagpole are essentially pristine, and much of the original gilt is present. There is a very attractive untouched dark patina to silver on the reverse.

Comes on original WW2 suspension device, a two-layer model in steel with self-locking pin. The ribbon is new. The connecting link appears to be original, and its ends are joined with solder.

Sergey Daneliya was born in 1901 in a village in Georgia, at that time part of the Russian Empire. In 1923, he joined the Red Army. He must have finished military aviation school to become a commissioned Air Force officer, probably a pilot or navigator. Judging by his position as an aviation instructor in the later part of the war, it is fair to assume that he had extensive flight experience. However, he did not receive any decorations in the first three years of the war. It could be due to a health issue or combat wound; it is also possible that he was considered more valuable as an instructor than as a combat aviator. In any case, by late1944 he rose to an Air Force Major and served as a Senior Instructor of Tactics at the Tambov Air Force Pilot School. On 3 November 1944, he was awarded with the Order of the Red Banner for 20 years of uninterrupted service. As of May 1946, when his award record card was filled in, Daneliya had retired from military service and was a pensioner, which further points out to the likelihood of severe illness or injury.

Research Materials: b/w photocopy of the award record card and relevant part of the award decree.
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