Silver gilt, enamels; measures 57.1 x 42.2 mm; weighs 25.9 g not including the wing nut. The middle portion representing the Breast Star of the Order of St. George is a separate part attached to the enameled outer border forming the ribbon of the order. The other separate parts include the white cross insignia of the Order of St. George, gilded cypher of Emperor Peter I at the top, round center medallion with black enameled background, combined cyphers of Emperors Catherine I and Nicholas II, and both the 1709 and 1909 dates. Thus no less than eight separate pieces intricately and almost seamlessly soldered together -a truly remarkable level of craftsmanship appropriate for the era and rank of the recipient. The quality of enamelwork is likewise nothing short of superb.

The reverse shows a hand-engraved serial number 20, a requisite of the officer-grade badges. Near the bottom on the reverse on the left side is the Cyrillic maker mark ДО ("DO") of the Dmitriy Osipov jewelry firm. On the right side, there is a silver proof mark "84" with "Kokoshnik" and Greek character Alpha, the designation of the St. Petersburg assay inspection. Immediately below, near the tip of the swallow tail, is a small round assayer's hallmark with "Kokoshnik".

Very fine to excellent condition. The badge appears almost perfect to the unaided eye. A very careful examination reveals some small chips and flakes to the white enamel of the St. George insignia at the bottom, but these flaws are minuscule in relation to the size of the badge and make practically no impact on its overall appearance. The black-and-orange enamel on the border is perfect and shows a magnificent luster. The raised details of the imperial ciphers are extremely well preserved and crisp; there is only a minimal amount of wear to high points of the crown above the center medallion, while all other details are essentially perfect. The original gold plating is clearly visible on the St. George star and on the reverse of the badge.

The screw post is of full length, approx. 15.5 mm measured from its disc base. The badge comes with a period wing nut that shows a matching Kokoshnik hallmark and is probably original to the badge.

Badges of the 13th Dragoon Regiment are exceedingly rare. The reference guide Regimental Badges of Imperial Russia by Viktor Kempf (C. 2012) states that an officer's badge of this unit has been offered for sale only once at the time of the publication: it sold for $41,000 in the Russian "Coins & Medals" auction in 2006 (Auction 57).

/Viktor Kempf, Regimental Badges of Imperial Russia, page 327; Patrikeev and Boinovich, Badges of Russia, Vol. II , Page 301 Fig. 5.1.13/