In silver-plated brass, 17.8 x 26.5 mm. Shows a Soviet Army submachine gunner and the heraldic emblem of the city of Saldus. The inscription is in Latvian language. There is a Soviet era retail price of 30 kopeks on the reverse. Although this piece in theory could be purchased in a kiosk, it was probably issued to WW2 veterans living in the district and is far better made than a typical Soviet war veteran's badge. Excellent condition. The silver finish on the obverse shows tarnish but remains mostly intact; there is no wear to the details of the artwork or lettering.

Located on the Courland Peninsula in the northwest part of Latvia, the Saldus District largely remained in German hands until the end of the war. A number of German divisions of the Army Group North in Courland became isolated from the main body of the Nazi army over the course of the Soviet 1944 offensives in the Baltics and East Prussia, and henceforth this part of the front was relegated to be of secondary importance by the Soviet high command. The German and anti-Soviet Latvian forces in Courland - including Saldus - fought desperately and held off no less than six major Soviet attempts to erase the pocket, laying down their arms only five days after the unconditional surrender was signed on 7 May 1945.

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