Awards and badges of the DRK der DDR

[HPL2008]

Here's a little postscript to posts # 20 and 24:

I had mentioned that a gold grade honor clasp for for 20 blood donations was introduced in 1975 and that the system was revised in 1979; the gold grade clasp now being for 40 blood donations, with newly-introduced clasps in bronze for 20 and silver for 30 donations. I have just acquired an example of the 1975 - 1979 gold clasp for 20 donations:

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[HPL2008]

Although the actual design of the award was not changed with the 1979 revision, it is still possible to tell apart the 1975 - 1979 gold clasp for 20 donations from the 1979 - 1990 gold clasp for 40 donations by three differences: The suspension for the pendant was different between the two models, the first model only came in enamelled versions (opaque and translucent) while the second model was only made in a polyester-coated and later a painted version and the first model was very slightly smaller (29 x 19.5 mm vs. 29.5 x 20 mm for the pendant and 9 x 19 mm vs. 12 x 19.5 mm for the clasp). A direct comparison:

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[Ralph P]

This is a interesting update, and did not know these badges existed.

[HPL2008]

Another postscript, this time to post # 7.

Here is an early model of the Ehrennadel des Wasserrettungsdienstes in Gold [Honor Pin of the Water Rescue Service in Gold]:

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[HPL2008]

Side-by-side comparison with the late piece shown in post # 7. Note the decline in quality (enamel vs. paint, two-piece construction with separate wreath vs. one-piece construction):

[HPL2008]

Here are two membership pins for members of the youth organisation.

I think the "Junger Sanitäter" pin was the earlier model replaced by the "Jugendrotkreuz" one. (I could be wrong, though; and while the Bartel catalogue shows both models, it doesn't elaborate. Any additional information would be welcome.)

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[HPL2008]

Just in, the full-size first model of the BRD/BUD's qualification badge for personnel with Felsausbildung [rock training] only, as identified by the rope border without the skies.

In my experience, these "single" qualification badges are rarer than the combined winter-/rock training ones:

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[Ralph P]

HPL2008 - I really like your latest badge, especially the way they used the wire to wrap around the badge.

[HPL2008]

Another Spartakiade day badge (see post # 42); this one is for Berlin, 1961:

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[HPL2008]

Here's the latest addition, and I am very pleased with finding this piece: The first model full-size qualification badge of the Bergrettungsdienst (see posts no. 10-12, 38 and 52) with skies for winter training.

Unlike its screwback colleagues shown in those earlier posts, this one is in a pinback version. It bears award no. 914:

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[HPL2008]

A group photo:

[Gordon Craig]

HPL2008,

A very nice "group" photo. Thanks for posting it.

Blessings,

Gordon

[Ralph P]

HPL2008

I like your latest group of photos you have added to this thread. I like badge 914 in that it has the early pinback variant on the back.

[HPL2008]

Another neat little addition, the Junger Rettungsschwimmer [Young Lifeguard] badge of the WRD. See post # 34 for the cloth version:

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[Ralph P]

I like it!!!

Thanks for the last two posts, interesting to see your latest additions in your collection.