Silver-plated brass; 29.3 x 18.4 mm. There are raised initials "AF", apparently of the creator of the artwork, under the figure "5". Excellent condition.

The badge features an image of a member of Latvian Riflemen, ethnic regiments in the Russian Army that greatly distinguished themselves in WW1. Many of their servicemen later joined the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War; some of the most trusted ones were even selected to serve as Lenin's bodyguards. In December 1918, the Red Latvian Riflemen were instrumental in establishing communist rule in most of Latvia. The Latv

Silver-plated brass; 29.3 x 18.4 mm. There are raised initials "AF", apparently of the creator of the artwork, under the figure "5". Excellent condition.

The badge features an image of a member of Latvian Riflemen, ethnic regiments in the Russian Army that greatly distinguished themselves in WW1. Many of their servicemen later joined the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War; some of the most trusted ones were even selected to serve as Lenin's bodyguards. In December 1918, the Red Latvian Riflemen were instrumental in establishing communist rule in most of Latvia. The Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic was proclaimed early next year, with Pēteris Stučka (aka Pyotr Stuchka), a proven Bolshevik ally of Lenin and participant of the November 1917 revolution in Petrograd, as its leader. The Red Terror that followed turned most of the population against the Soviet rule, and the communists were gradually pushed out by the forces loyal to the Latvian Provisional Government based in Liepaja and backed by both the Entente and German Freikorps. The first Latvian Soviet Republic suffered its final defeat in January 1920 over the course of the Soviet-Polish War, leading to the establishment of the independent Latvian state.

Please note, the penny in our photo is for size reference.
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