RE: Achievement Badge of the NVA & Sports Medal

[Mike G.]

Boxes can be intriguing, particularly if they are of the East German Military kind.

[Mike G.]

Here are two boxes of interest. Both contain items that are relatively of vintage era (kinda like a good old wine).

The first, upon being open reveals this:

A DDR National Sports Badge (authorized for wear by all ranks serving in the NVA, Stasi, and Grenztruppen. Even after the introduction of the Military Specific Sports Badge, this particular type of medal was still authorized for wear through 89. This example is of a very old one, as can be seen by the accompanying Urkunde. The older versions were pretty decent looking.

[Mike G.]

Box No. 2: Achievement Badge of the National Volksarmee.

This one, like Box No.1 also came with an Urkunde.

[Mike G.]

The Urkunde "Opened":

[Mike G.]

While the Urkunde is date Oct. 7, 1972 the Achievement medal that came with this particular award, appears to be an early production model. The pin on the rear is of the type used in the 60s.

A comparison can be seen using two later production variants. The Achievment medal that came with the Urkunde is left most. The variant that is right most is the type that was put into production starting 1984.

Front:

[Mike G.]

Reverse:

[Roy Queen]

Nice!

Mike, the goodies you pull out of your hat is just amazing! I reallly like the boxed DDR National Sports Badge, I've never seen one of those cased, and especially with a very detailed likeness of the badge on the inner part of the lid, it almost appears to be a cloth patch version of the badge. The urkundes are a nice touch to round out the sets!

[Mike G.]

Last, here are closeups of the Qualification Badge, Sports Badge, and the small Sports Badge Pin:

[Mike G.]

Mike, the goodies you pull out of your hat is just amazing! I reallly like the boxed DDR National Sports Badge, I've never seen one of those cased, and especially with a very detailed likeness of the badge on the inner part of the lid, it almost appears to be a cloth patch version of the badge. The urkundes are a nice touch to round out the sets!

Hi Roy,

That is a cloth patch replicating the badge. I've actually got two of these. Both are bronze, and both are 50s era badges. For some reason, the bronze coloration between the two though is very different.

[Ralph P]

Hey Mike...bravo and very nice thread your sharing with us...thanks

Question about the cloth patch...now that you educated me that one even existed. Would the patch been worn on anything or was it for display only???

[Mike G.]

Hey Mike...bravo and very nice thread your sharing with us...thanks

Question about the cloth patch...now that you educated me that one even existed. Would the patch been worn on anything or was it for display only???

Good question Ralph,

I hadn't really thought about it. Like most everyone else, I was surprised to find that relevant to the early issue ones, an embroided cloth of the medal was neatly nessled inside the top lid of each box. I suspect that the receipient of this award could in fact have it sewed to a gymnastic or other sportswear. With regards to the medal, the recepient could only wear one, which of course would be the highest received. But I suppose if you had all three (bronze, silver and gold); conceivably all three embroidered cloth patchs could be sewed to the same sportswear for display.

I personally don't look to good in sportswear, so I'm just gonna leave mine in their respective boxes.

[John F.]

Mike G:

Once again another first! I never seen an early type of DDR cases. Any chance of getting a look at the backside of the DDR Sports Badge?

John

[Mike G.]

Hi John,

Per your request, here is a pic of the reverse of the Sports Badge:

[John F.]

Mike:

Thanks...it almost looks like it TR counterpart with it pin and hinge.

Do you know how much one of the old style Leistungsabzeichen sells for and how difficult are they to find?

John

[Mike G.]

Hi John,

I don't recall what I paid for mine (3 in all - 2 bronze and one gold); but I don't think it was all that much. I found them on German ebay. I'll have to go through my receipts and get back to you. I'll try and get you the links to the Sellers as well, from whom I got them. Shipping costs will be the only downside.