25th Anniversary GPW badge

[Eric Gaumann]

Just got this today. Hard to believe I've not got one of these before. Just one of those things I never got around to. Thankfully, they are still cheap on eBay. Got this for a grand total of 5 bucks (4 of which went towards S&H). I'd be surprised if these didn't start "taking off" just like almost every other Soviet medal has.
Anyway......this is the basic, troopers model; pinback and light alloy metal. I'm under the impression that there are "officers" variations that are a heavy brass and possibley screwback. If anybody can confirm this (especially with an image) I'd be appreciative.
This has what I assume to be a makers mark on the back and a date; 1972.
This badge is occasionally seen on ribbon bars on the bottom row with a St. George ribbon (aka OG ribbon, VoG ribbon) on the diagonal or even sometimes straight up and down.
Sorry for the crappy image. I don't have the lighing available at this hour for a better photo. BTW, the difference in overall color between the obverse and reverse image is due to me changing an option on camera from "sunlight" to "artificial" light. (just so ya know)

Gonna submit this without an image and the edit and attach because I fear the dread white screen of death. I can just feel it from the way the forum's acting tonight.

[Greg Collins]

Yes, Eric, there is indeed a brass version of the badge. I'm lucky enough to own one (thanks to Alexei). It's pin on... pretty much the same as you have here. Considering the rarity of the brass version, I would suspect that it's not simply an "officers' model" but more probably for some of the higher ups- don't know for sure. Whether aluminum or brass, this medal is already on the rise and I'm surprised you got it for what you did. Enjoy! As soon as I'm able, I'll post images of the brass one.

[Eric Gaumann]

Thanks Greg. Please do post a shot when you have time.
Man, I sure do miss Alexei. He had such a big website full of goodies. Why he decided to get out of the business just as Soviet stuff took off like wildfire is beyond me. (He probabaly was sick of idiots like me nickle and dimeing him) But still, he is one of the two people on the planet whose word I take as gospel and he doesn't get, IMO, nearly enough credit for his devotion to 'the cause'. I for one wouldn't have even half of what I own if not for him.
Cheers!

[Garulfo]

If you're interested by this kind of badges, buy the new Paul J. Schmitt (he's member of this forum and Soviet awards forum too) "Soviet second world war veteran badges", you won't be disapointed.

I collect soviet awards since 20 years but I got first one of this badge only last years with an officer medals group.

[Greg Collins]

Eric,

Here's the front of the badge. Virtually the same as the aluminum version except for the patina- darker in "person" than these scans indicate.

[Greg Collins]

And the back... sorry about the hairs, but I seem to have inherited Comrade Lenin's fascination for cats. I agree with what you said of Alexei- a great person. When he stopped selling Soviet, I was able to get many Mongolian items from him, which he still sells.
Note the full relief on the medal back. The only mark I can discern on this piece is the Russian letter, on the hangar, which looks like a lower cased "L" against an upper cased "O" (sorry, I don't know what that letter is in Russian). Probably a maker's mark.

[Eric Gaumann]

If you're interested by this kind of badges, buy the new Paul J. Schmitt (he's member of this forum and Soviet awards forum too) "Soviet second world war veteran badges", you won't be disapointed..

Yeah, I got Paul's book. It's very nice. Some neat little badges in there. I still don't see very many on eBay though.

sorry about the hairs, but I seem to have inherited Comrade Lenin's fascination for cats.

Despite having only one cat now his damn hair gets everywhere so I know what you mean. I didn't know Lenin was a cat fan. Good for him.

[Ralph P]

Hello all - Here is a linked thread on Paul Schmitt's books he has written.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=288781

[leibermuster]

And the back... sorry about the hairs, but I seem to have inherited Comrade Lenin's fascination for cats. I agree with what you said of Alexei- a great person. When he stopped selling Soviet, I was able to get many Mongolian items from him, which he still sells.
Note the full relief on the medal back. The only mark I can discern on this piece is the Russian letter, on the hangar, which looks like a lower cased "L" against an upper cased "O" (sorry, I don't know what that letter is in Russian). Probably a maker's mark.

It looks like the Russian 'Yu' or 'you' .

[Eric Gaumann]

25 anni badge, brass, screwback!

Almost 7 years to the day of the first post I finnaly get a brass version of this.
Pretty worn, especially on the medallion's obverse.
The greatest part of of this is the home made screwpost (with Pobeda plate, as well)!

[Red October]

Good stuff Eric, I never saw this variation before!

[Bill D.]

Congratulations, Eric !

That's a very nice piece!

[Eric Gaumann]

Thanks, mates! I think it used to have a bright gold wash to the obverse. You can see by the reverse what it once was. Only a little is left on the front, mostly around the soldier's waist area.
It's got some enamel damage as well but that's OK. I like my awards "worn".