Badge for Excellent Shooting, 1928 - mid-1930s.

Brass, enamels; measures 52.8 mm in height, 40.9 mm in width; weighs 16.9 g without screw plate. This version of the badge is among the largest and most massive, featuring two-piece construction and more refined and realistic depiction of the soldier.

In outstanding, excellent condition. The red enamel is nearly perfect, free of flaking or chips. There are some hairlines on the upper arm resulting in somewhat cloudy appearance, but the enamel generally retained its beautiful translucency and luster. The white enamel is perfect. The details of the rifleman and machine gun are extremely well- preserved, and some of the original gilt finish is clearly visible in their recessed areas. The silver finish on the star is nearly pristine on both the obverse and reverse. The wires holding the two parts of the badge together are intact and tight. The screw post is original and full length, approx. 12.5 mm. The WW2 era screw plate with logo of a Polish maker is a replacement.

The badge was established in 1928 as an award for outstanding marksmanship. It was issued by the Vystrel ("Shot") advanced marksmanship and weapon training program for Red Army officers. The school was created in 1918, soon after the Revolution, and acquired its famous name Vystrel in 1923. Starting from 1929, it was also tasked with preparing professional sniper cadres. Later during the Patriotic War, Vystrel training proved its value: according to German frontline reports, Wehrmacht lost a significantly larger proportion of NCOs and officers on the Eastern Front compared with their losses in France and elsewhere. This was due to actions of well-trained Soviet snipers often using trees, attics, haystacks and other camouflaged locations to take out Nazi command personnel.

/"Avers 8", p. 423, fig. 2003.a/


$950.00