Silver-plated brass; measures 18.8 x 18.8 mm. The inscription "Estonian Rifle Corps" is in Estonian language. An uncommonly early and well- made piece compared with most other Soviet WW2 veteran badges. There is a raised maker's logo on the reverse.

Excellent condition. The silver plating is pristine, creating an impression that the badge is made in solid silver.

The Estonian Rifle Corps was one of the "ethnic" units created early in the war as a part of Soviet leadership's desperate and cynical attempt to appeal to national patriotic feelings (as opposed to the earl

Silver-plated brass; measures 18.8 x 18.8 mm. The inscription "Estonian Rifle Corps" is in Estonian language. An uncommonly early and well- made piece compared with most other Soviet WW2 veteran badges. There is a raised maker's logo on the reverse.

Excellent condition. The silver plating is pristine, creating an impression that the badge is made in solid silver.

The Estonian Rifle Corps was one of the "ethnic" units created early in the war as a part of Soviet leadership's desperate and cynical attempt to appeal to national patriotic feelings (as opposed to the earlier "communist internationalism" which obviously didn't quite work). The crops was formed in 1942 from the two rifle divisions comprised mostly of Estonian volunteers, escaped communist party members, and any draft-age men of Estonian ethnicity that could be found in the USSR (some of the latter undoubtedly the "enemy classes" that had been forcibly resettled in the inhospitable eastern regions after the Soviet annexation of Estonia in 1940).

Throughout the war, the corps fought under the Kalinin, Leningrad and later, 2nd Baltic Front. It took part in several major offensives, including - not surprisingly - those in Estonia in 1944. Interestingly, at Narva and Tallinn it encountered and fought against the 20th Estonian Waffen-SS Division.

Please note, the penny in our photo is for size reference.
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