Solid gold (starburst, hammer & sickle emblem), silver, enamels. The medallion measures 46.0 mm tall (incl. eyelet), 42.5 mm wide; weighs 29.6 g not including the suspension and connecting link; overall weight with suspension and screw plate is 45.0 g. The suspension measures 32.2 mm in width, 21.2-21.3 mm in height (not including the provision for connecting link at the bottom). There is a stick pin on the reverse of the badge, the distinguishing feature of the Variation 2. The serial number is engraved in standard manner at 7 o'clock position.

In very fine to excellent

Solid gold (starburst, hammer & sickle emblem), silver, enamels. The medallion measures 46.0 mm tall (incl. eyelet), 42.5 mm wide; weighs 29.6 g not including the suspension and connecting link; overall weight with suspension and screw plate is 45.0 g. The suspension measures 32.2 mm in width, 21.2-21.3 mm in height (not including the provision for connecting link at the bottom). There is a stick pin on the reverse of the badge, the distinguishing feature of the Variation 2. The serial number is engraved in standard manner at 7 o'clock position.

In very fine to excellent condition, absolutely outstanding for this version of the order. Unlike the vast majority of surviving original Type 1 specimens, the enamel is essentially perfect and has not been repaired; it is completely free of the usual chips and flaking, retains magnificent luster throughout, and has only a couple of tiny surface flakes near the tips of the upper right and left arms, both of them nearly unnoticeable to the naked eye. The golden starburst and hammer & sickle emblem are likewise practically pristine having only microscopic dings, no wear noticeable without magnification. The wires holding the hammer & sickle are intact and tight.

The stick pin is original, sound, and has not been repaired or reattached. There is a very attractive even patina to the reverse of the silver star. The order has not been converted to screw back and retains its original suspension device, complete with the retaining nut and rectangular back plate. The screw post is full length, nearly 11 mm measured from the back plate, and includes an original mint marked screw plate. The perfectly preserved old ribbon is in all likelihood original as well. The connecting link appears to be original, and although deformed by the weight of the medallion, still sound; its ends are still joined with solder.

Overall, a magnificent piece. To reiterate, its condition should be considered outstanding for any Type 1 piece, but it is especially remarkable for the early "Stick Pin" variation.

Born in 1920 in the city of Kostroma, Nikolay Bolshakov finished three years of studies at a textile trade school before transferring to a military school on 28 August 1939 - literally on the eve of WWII. At the start of the Patriotic War in June 1941, he was already a commissioned officer commanding an antiaircraft artillery platoon. He opened his score of downed enemy airplanes while protecting an airfield near the village of Klenovets in Kursk Region: there, his battery destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 which crashed in the area of the hamlet of Novoalekseevskiy killing the pilot. Serving as a battery commander with the 878th Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment of the PVO Antiaircraft Forces, Bolshakov particularly distinguished himself in the Battle of Stalingrad. On 30 June 1947, just two days after the opening of the German Blau Offensive, his battery shot down a Fw 189 Focke-Wulf reconnaissance aircraft in the area of the village of Log, Stalingrad Region. Nicknamed Rama ("frame") by the Russians because to its twin boon design and long rectangular horizontal stabilizer, it was particularly hated due to the precise German artillery that always followed its appearance overhead. The airplane was highly maneuverable and well-protected, so it was a very tough prize for both the fighter pilots and antiaircraft crews; destroying such a high-value target would typically earn at least a special thank you note from the Soviet command. It is interesting to note that the subsequent award commendation stated that the entire crew of four perished with the airplane - even though the Fw 189 normally had only three crewmen.

As the Nazi offensive towards Stalingrad was gathering steam, the Soviet positions and transportation network west of the city came under massive attacks by the Luftwaffe. On 24 July, Bolshakov and his men managed to bring down three Junkers Ju 88 twin-engine bombers while defending the important railway station of Archeda located on the Stalingrad main railroad line just northeast of Serafomovich and Kletskaya. According to the award commendation, five crewmen of the downed airplanes were captured alive.

On 30 July, Bolshakov's battery damaged a Ju 88 in the area of the town of Frolovo, some 150 km northwest of Stalingrad. On 9 September, the battery added to its combat score a Dornier Do 17 twin-engine bomber that crashed and burned near the hamlet of Orlovskiy of the Stalingrad Region, killing the airmen. On 18 September, Bolshakov's artillerymen damaged another Do 17 near the railway of Zelenovsky north of Frolovo.

In total, Bolshakov's battery shot down six and damaged two "enemy vultures", as stated in the award commendation. This uncommon accomplishment for a single antiaircraft battery was credited to Bolshakov's training skills, resilience and personal bravery consistently shown in combat actions from the beginning of the war through the Battle of Stalingrad. On 15 April 1943, he was awarded with the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st cl. by the general order of the Commander of the Artillery, Southwestern Front. It is interesting to see that the actions mentioned in the award commendations span the defensive part of the Battle of Stalingrad; later in the battle, the Luftwaffe suffered greatly while trying to supply the isolated German pocket and the AAA "kills" became far more numerous.

In May 1944, Bolshakov would also earn an Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd cl. while protecting the Soviet ground troops on the west bank of the Dniester River. In a single engagement, his battery shot down a Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber and Fw 190. The latter was one of several German fighters that specifically targeted the Bolshakov's battery which nevertheless continued to blast away at the enemy amidst the explosions of bombs blanketing its position. In this battle, Bolshakov was seriously wounded but continued to lead his troops until the action was over. The two Orders of the Patriotic War remained his only decorations of WW2, although he fought through the rest of the war and took part in the battles for Warsaw and Berlin. He remained on active duty for a long time afterwards reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel and earning a Medal for Combat Service in 1950, an Order of the Red Star in 1954 and an Order of the Red Banner in 1956, all of them apparently for length of service.

Research Materials: photocopy of the award record card, award commendations for the two Orders of the Patriotic War, and relevant pages of the award decrees.
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