Order of Nakhimov, 2nd cl., #162, bestowed in August 1945 upon a submarine officer of the Black Sea Fleet as retroactive award for his submarine service in 1941-42. At that time, the recipient was deputy political commander of the 1st Sevastopol Submarine Brigade, Black Sea Fleet, and took part in sinking of two enemy vessels (one of which was the infamous Romanian ship Struma carrying Jewish refugees.) He also distinguished himself while serving in the same capacity in the defense of Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.

With just 471 ever bestowed, the Order of Nakhimov 2nd cl. is one of the hardest to find Soviet awards - and also one of the most beautiful. Only 28 of them were issued to submariners. This extraordinary piece is in very fine condition. Comes with a copy of the award recommendation and wartime service record.

Order of Kutuzov 2nd cl., Type 2 Var. 2, #1746, Nov. 1944 issue to commander of the artillery of a Rifle Corps for the Bagration Offensive in Belorussia. A career military officer since the Civil War, he was arrested in 1938 during Stalin's purge of the military but was later restored in rank and eventually rose to Maj. General. He ended the war with 7 decorations incl. 4 Orders of the Red Banner and Order of Lenin. The Order of Kutuzov is in outstanding condition, literally impossible to upgrade. Comes with archival research.