Please Help Identify: Award Stand for cruiser Varashilov

[leproc]

Hello! I come bearing another strange item - an award stand of some sort for the cruiser Varashilov - one of the Kirov-class cruisers that worked during the war. The award is post-war though since it's dated 1947-1948.





The seller is from Belarus, so its probable that this item is from a veteran (I contacted him for more information about the item). I have seen award badges for various naval ships, but this is the first time I've seen some sort of framed item for a ship like this.


My question is this: Could this be an official item from the USSR navy or could it be more of a memento by an ex-Soviet sailor (trench art)?

It looks period-authentic to me, but I don't even know if the USSR navy even gives out awards like these.

Any help is appreciated since you guys are the best at identifying these treasured items of history.

Thanks again!

[Eric Gaumann]

> Could this be an official item from the USSR navy or could it be more of a memento

Most likely the latter.

[leproc]

> Could this be an official item from the USSR navy or could it be more of a memento

Most likely the latter.

Yeah. The item looks kinda rough, so you might be right.

I wonder though...does it look authentic for 1947-1948? Also, what is the estimated worth of an item like this? The vessel isn't that famous...even within her class. USSR ships are also not that famous overall during the war.

[Komandir RKKA]

I think this item is handmade by crew member who served on cruiser that time.

[Eric Gaumann]

I wonder though...does it look authentic for 1947-1948?

To me it does. Judging by only two or three images that is.

Also, what is the estimated worth of an item like this? The vessel isn't that famous...even within her class.

It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I know that's an unsatisfactory answer but it is what it is. It certainly is rare. A cool relic and would make a nice addition to any Cold War naval display.

I think this item is handmade by crew member who served on cruiser that time.

Yeah, agreed. Either on board in the machine space or in it's home port machine shop most likely.

[leproc]

I think this item is handmade by crew member who served on cruiser that time.

To me it does. Judging by only two or three images that is.


It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I know that's an unsatisfactory answer but it is what it is. It certainly is rare. A cool relic and would make a nice addition to any Cold War naval display.


Yeah, agreed. Either on board in the machine space or in it's home port machine shop most likely.

Okay! So we agree its probably a crew member's memento. The back of the item is kinda rough as well:



Do you guys think $100-ish dollars is worth the price for such an item? I don't know the market for crew mementos or trench-art, but I heard it varies more on craftsmanship and quality of the item.

If I were to get it, I don't want to burn my money on something...well...that could be junky in the future.

Thanks for your help, guys. You guys are truly the experts.

[Marcel Banziger]

Nice trench art made by a crewmember of the cruiser.
Value: whatever a collector is willing to pay basically. Nowhere near the $100 mark though. This time period is unfortunately less interesting for collectors.
Still a very nice piece!

[leproc]

Nice trench art made by a crewmember of the cruiser.
Value: whatever a collector is willing to pay basically. Nowhere near the $100 mark though. This time period is unfortunately less interesting for collectors.
Still a very nice piece!

Makes sense since it is after the war...