Russian badge

[A.H. Thomassen]

Dear Gentlemen.

This badge was obtained in a vet pickup who mostly consisted of german SS and police badges, and some norwegian badges as well.

This item however is something of an puzzle. I would like any information on this badge, also perhaps if some can tell me of its rarity, if any


AH

[A.H. Thomassen]

Reverse side of this "puzzle" badge.

Any information on this particular badge is warmly appreciated


AH

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi AH, it is one of many badges awarded by the Osoaviakhim.

Sorry the badge is not one I recognise. But it is very nice

The organisation translates as "Society for Cooperation with the Army, Air Forces and Chemical Engineering". It was a pre military civil defence /para military training organisation.

It still exists but the name has changed:

http://www.vo3dyx.ru/dokument/organi...saaf_80-years/

Cheers, Ade.

[RichieC]

As Ade stated, it is Osoaviakhim. This particular badge is the MEMBERSHIP badge. My reference is somewhat confusing, as this appears to be a 20s era "style" badge. I'll quote from it: "The first badge was made before 1940, the second --- after 1940." If any other associate owns an Avers reference book, I am certain that this could be clarified...

There were two variations, the difference being in size. I can't tell which variation your's is, as I have never seen an example of either of them, so I would think it is somewhat rare.

It is a good find in my opinion...

[Ciaran Byrne]

I think it is one of these "Ready for Defence" badges. This looks to me like a chemical warfare badge, note the gas mask on the lower part of the badge.

[Kozlov]

I've seen this before, but other than being Osoaviakhim I couldnt remember any more about it... I did a quick trawl of the net and turned up nothing

[RichieC]

I think it is one of these "Ready for Defence" badges. This looks to me like a chemical warfare badge, note the gas mask on the lower part of the badge.

The "READY FOR DEFENCE" membership badges (shown below; fig. 579 - 587) do indeed show the gas mask attribute you have mentioned, but they were issued prewar by the Anti-aircraft and Chemical Defence society.

On one note my reference does not clarify if this society was affiliated in any degree with the Osoaviakhim (Alternate translation to the one supplied by Ade - Defense, Aviation, and Chemical Building Assistance society of USSR), but it could very well be the case due to lack of comprehensive and confirmed information from the period, and/or bad translation(s) over the years...

Like I mentioned earlier, the Avers reference seems to be a lot more comprehensive than the LIKHITSKIY book that I am drawing this information out of.

[desantnik]

The "READY FOR DEFENCE" membership badges (shown below; fig. 579 - 587) do indeed show the gas mask attribute you have mentioned, but they were issued prewar by the Anti-aircraft and Chemical Defence society.

On one note my reference does not clarify if this society was affiliated in any degree with the Osoaviakhim (Alternate translation to the one supplied by Ade - Defense, Aviation, and Chemical Building Assistance society of USSR), but it could very well be the case due to lack of comprehensive and confirmed information from the period, and/or bad translation(s) over the years...

Both the badge in question and all the badges you've shown all read "OSOAVIAKHIM".

There are fewer, and older badges that read AVIAKHIM, but it's badges usually show only aircraft and I believe it was an older, or original organization from which OSOAVIAKHIM sprang.

[A.H. Thomassen]

I would like to thank all the gentlemen who has provided informative comments on this "puzzle" badge. It's really warmly appreciated

And as always..., what could be the value on this kind of badge?


AH

[desantnik]

I would like to thank all the gentlemen who has provided informative comments on this "puzzle" badge. It's really warmly appreciated

And as always..., what could be the value on this kind of badge?


AH

I haven't seen such a badge for sale in a long time. No telling in this market, but I would venture $75-$100.