Soviet Army Excellent Firefighter Badge WW2 Military Expert USSR Fireman shops Medal 1950s Issue Original
Soviet Excellent Firefighter badge of the WW2 "Military Proficiency" Series.
This is GUARANTEED 100% ORIGINAL, official Soviet-made award from around early 1950s, not a late issue or a replica!
Quality piece in Gilded Brass and High Quality Enamels, measures Size 44.0 mm x 35.8 mm. Unlike most other Soviet Proficiency badges, this badge is of complex three-piece construction: the center medallion and the nozzles and torch emblem are separate parts attached by wires to the shield base. Features very thick, convex medallion. This badge was manufactured by the Artistic Engraving Workshop (ZkhG).
The badge is in damaged but decent condition, especially for the early and relatively scarce Soviet award. There are chips to the red enamel on the center medallion and in the lower portion under the nozzles. The white enamel and the gray finish on the edge of the shield are intact. The gilt on the wreath and especially the reverse of the badge is nice and bright. Comes with ORIGINAL screw plate marked "Artistic Engraving Workshop" which matches the badge in age and fits the thin screw post perfectly. The screw post is nearly 9 mm long and although slightly bent, still sound and fully functional.
The Excellent Firefighter badge is one of the series usually called "WW2 Proficiency Badges" even though they were really considered awards, not just qualification badges shops, and were often awarded for skills displayed in combat. The Firefighter badge was instituted fairly late in the war, in November 1944, and unlike all other badges of the series it was continued to be issued well into the 60s. The early design in brass was eventually replaced by a simple, single piece construction badge in aluminum. The badge we offer here is one of the early issues from the 50s. Because the badge was awarded by the Armed Forces rather than a civilian agency and was exclusively to military firefighters, it is quite scarce, much harder to find than most other WW2 "Proficiency" awards.