Excellence in Medical Corps badge, mid 1940s.

Brass, enamels; 45.9 x 36.2 mm. Early, scarce variation of the badge, manufactured by the Moscow Artists Cooperative (MTKh). Features elongated shield design, with the spade-shaped lower portion. The center medallion has a pronounced dome. There is a vertical groove pattern under the red enamel.

In fine to very fine condition. There is a chip to the red enamel in the center medallion along its edge in approximately 11 to 12 o'clock segment. Most of the red enamel on the medallion is intact however, and the damage is not too conspicuous. There red enamel is almost perfect in the lower portion of the badge having only a couple of tiny contact marks and retaining beautiful luster. The white enamel in the band around the medallion appears undamaged on the first glance, although close examination with a magnifying glass reveals small surface flakes not penetrating to metal and some hairline fractures.

The gold finish to the wreath and the dark finish around the shield are extremely well preserved, practically pristine. Likewise, the silver finish on the reverse is essentially perfect. The screw post measures approx. 9 mm in length; it probably has been reduced by a couple of mm as was customary. Comes with original screw plate marked "Moscow Artists Cooperative".

/See "Breast Badges of the Red Army, 1941-1945", p. 103, fig. 2. Note that there is a mistake in the book: description of this badge accompanies fig. 1 on p. 102, but the correct image is fig. 2 on page 103/


$145.00