Silver, lacquer; 32.4 mm wide; weighs 17.6 g not including the suspension and connecting link. This is the early version of the Type 1, featuring a slightly curved down hilt of the saber.

In very fine condition. The lacquer in the letters is mostly worn out, although traces of it are still clearly visible. Otherwise, the medal shows only some tiny dings and minor wear to the high points of the artwork, overall well-preserved. There are no significant edge knocks. Very attractive dark patina to both sides.

Comes on original steel suspension with well-preserved old ribb

Silver, lacquer; 32.4 mm wide; weighs 17.6 g not including the suspension and connecting link. This is the early version of the Type 1, featuring a slightly curved down hilt of the saber.

In very fine condition. The lacquer in the letters is mostly worn out, although traces of it are still clearly visible. Otherwise, the medal shows only some tiny dings and minor wear to the high points of the artwork, overall well-preserved. There are no significant edge knocks. Very attractive dark patina to both sides.

Comes on original steel suspension with well-preserved old ribbon which is wrapped in reverse as is often the case. The connecting link appears to be original; its ends are still joined with solder.

The document is a standard award booklet for Combat Service and other similar medals, filled-out on 19 March 1947. It shows only a single entry for the Combat Service medal. The date for the start of award recipient's privileges is 1 October 1943, which corresponds with the September 1943 award decree.

The booklet is in very good to excellent condition. There are faint water stains to the cover, not too glaring or detractive, while the interior pages are immaculately clean and crisp. The binding is tight.

Yury Mazmanashvili (also spelled Mazmonashvili in some of the Russian documents) was born in 1924. As of September 1944, he had the rank of Guards Private and served as a machine-gunner with the 305th Guards Rifle Regiment, 108th Guards Rifle Division, 10th Guards Rifle Corps, 44th Army, South Front (later, 4th Ukrainian Front). On 28 September, during the offensive near Melitopol in southern Ukraine, he under heavy enemy fire delivered an urgent message to the command about the plight of his company which apparently was being hard pressed by the enemy. As the result of his brave action, reinforcements arrived just in time helping to repel four counterattacks and hold the newly acquired position.

Research Materials: photocopy of the relevant pages of the award decree providing the details of Mazmanashvli's feat. Detailed information about the 108th Guards Rifle Division can be found in Volume IV Red Guards of Charles Sharp's series "Soviet Order of Battle, WW 2".
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