Soviet Navy Commemorative Badges

[Bill D.]

I have been reviewing past threads on these badges and I am wondering whether there is now any opinion, in one direction or another, as to what these badges are all about and whether they are genuine Soviet period pieces?

By "commemorative badges" I am referring to any Soviet Navy badge that was not a defined regulation award. The "commemorative badges" usually feature a ship or submarine; often a commemorative date ("20 years"; "30 years"; etc) and sometimes the name of a ship or a numeric designation of a submarine ("K-133"). Sometimes they commemorate the anniversary of a Navy School.

The badges often appear very well made. They exist in both screw back and pin back examples. The designs are often striking and the enamel work is impressive.

So, do we have any idea about these badges?
Were they dembel pieces? Were they ever "officially" presented to a seaman upon his departure from the boat? If the badge commemorates an anniversary of an achievement by a ship, were such badges given to past or present crew members of that ship? Do any photos exist of these badges being worn, even on civilian clothing or on a veteran's uniform? Or are they, in whole or in part, complete "fantasy" or tourist souvenir pieces?

Any thoughts?

[Komandir RKKA]

Soviet Navy had a strict number of official awarding, qualification and graduation badges. All other badges are commemorative or modern fantasy "tourist" items.
Most collectors in former USSR interested in official Navy badges.
Some working on commemorative Soviet Navy badges.
No one (I mean serious collectors) interested in uncountable quantity of modern fantasy badges.
Most of commemorative badges were worn by Naval cadets and enlisted men (badges devoted to long range campaign or Naval school anniversary.
Officers prefer to worn only official badges as it should be ordered by the charter.
That's why it's too hard to find photos of Soviet Navy officer wearing period commemorative nonofficial badges.

[Bill D.]

Thank you, KRKKA.
I was hoping that you would provide your thoughts on this subject.

[Bill D.]

Here is an example of a badge that caused me to create this thread.

It is a screw back badge, very impressive in its design. It carries the designation of the Baltic Fleet as well as the designation of "PSS", which is unknown to me.

Since the badge has no dates or years on it I have ASSUMED that it is not an anniversary badge of any kind.

So unless the "PSS" represents the abbreviation for a school of some kind, I would also ASSUME that this badge is a fantasy or souvenir piece.

Any thoughts?

[Komandir RKKA]

PSS could be translated as Search and Rescue Service.
Pretend to be Soviet Navy (not exactly Baltic Fleet) badge.
But I never heard about such a badge existed officialy.

[Bill D.]

As always, thank you, "K" !

[Eric Gaumann]

My guess, like in the other thread, is that these are made to sell to servicefolk, family members and collectors. Many of them are nice quality and I have a few to help with displays....but they aren't "official" in any way. Not worth a great deal, IMO. (<$10)

[Komandir RKKA]

Here I want to show some original Soviet Navy commemorative badges.
They have some common features :
- devoted to certain events;
- dated;
- are cheap in manufacture.

This one devoted to and shows the map of 1968 campaign

[Komandir RKKA]

Next badge devoted to Equator crossing by БПК (big antisubmarine ship) "Скорый" ("Speedy") in 1974

[Bill D.]

VERY interesting, KRKKA !

Thank you very much for posting them !