What is this badge?

[pfrost]

Hello,

I have no idea what this is, but assume it is some sort of marksman or shooting badge? 2nd class?

Would love some idea of what it is if possible.

Thanks so much.

P. Frost

[pfrost]

The back. The little screw nut has a number..136768.

Thanks again for any asistance.

Best

P Frost

[desantnik]

It is a "Voroshilov Marksman" badge for the OSOAVIAKHIM organization. Both the marksmanship program and paramilitary OSOAVIAKHIM program originated in the 1930s to increase the overall defensive capability of the USSR.

[pfrost]

Thanks! Can you tell me if it is rare? When it was made? Also, is it a fake or a real one? I have basically zero experience with USSR related militaria.

Thanks again.

Patrick

[desantnik]

Thanks! Can you tell me if it is rare? When it was made? Also, is it a fake or a real one? I have basically zero experience with USSR related militaria.

Thanks again.

Patrick

Patrick, define "rare" - your badge is serial numbered over 100K. Rarity and pricing are subjective, but you could probably get at least $50 for it rather easily (maybe more? I haven't been keeping tabs on prices).

It's safe to say your badge was manufactured mid-30's to early 40's, but I don't have the exact dates on hand.

The badge and screwback nut are real.

[pfrost]

Dear Desantik

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it a great deal.

Patrick

[Eric Gaumann]

Nice looking badge. I like it.
Not commonly seen, and nice and old from the heyday of the Soviet Army.

[Dood]

100% Original
Not Rare
Prais 50-70$

[Mauser HSc]

Nice Badge! The Russian "Avers" price guide to Soviet Badges & Jetons dates this one to 1932. It is a marksmanship award from OSOAVIACHIM which was similar to the Luftschutz in Germany. There is a similar type marked "PKKA" that was awarded to Red Army soldiers for marksmanship. This one is more common than the PKKA version.

There is an interesting story behind the badge. The badge reads "Voroshilovski Strelok" and is named for Klementi Vorishilov who was Stalin's Commander-In-Chief of the Red Army. Allegedly, Stalin observed Voroshilov shoot several ducks during a hunting trip and was impressed by his shooting skill which was the inspiration for the award. Voroshilov fell out of favor after the Red Army'e failures during the Russo-Finnish War of 1939 but remained in Stalin's "inner circle" stripped of his authority.

I've come across many of the Voroshilovski Strelok badges without the "II" in the target but have never seen one with "II" available in Russia or Ukraine. Spasebo bolshoi!

[Bob Hritz]

This was brought back by a US soldier. It is relatively early, with a serial number of 013065.

Bob Hritz

[Eric Gaumann]

A nice example with a rare and early serial numbered screwplate.