Soviet Russian Excellent Combat Engineer Badge EXPERT SAPPER WW2 Award Medal A+

Description: Soviet Excellent Sapper (Combat Engineer) Badge, WW2 type. This is GUARANTEED ORIGINAL, official Soviet-made award from mid-1940s, not a late issue or a replica!Very well-made badge in Brass and high quality “hot baked” Enamels; measures 48.3 mm x 37.9 mm. The badge is in GREAT Condition, especially for a wartime award to a Russian Enlisted Man or NCO. The enamel is without repairs, 100% original (unlike many other WW2 expert badges that we have seen on the market).This badge is one of the WW2 Expert or “Excellent” series of badges for lower ranks which was introduced in May 1942. The Excellent Sapper badge came up in August 1942, soon after the initial six badges in the series. It was awarded far less frequently than some of the others, such as Excellent Driver, Machine Gunner or Medical Corpsman. Although these badges are often referred to as “Proficiency” they were really more akin to medals: during the war years were usually awarded for skills shown in combat and were hard to earn. It is not surprising that they often appeared in WW2 award records of Soviet soldiers – even though technically this award was below the level of an order or medal. The expert badges were produced by different factories and continued being awarded even after the war, up until the late 50s.This particular specimen that we are offering here is clearly a WW2 MODEL, characterized by domed center medallion, elongated shape, and scallop-like scrolls at the top. Badges of this type were manufactured by the NKPS Factory.The badge is in GREAT CONDITION! There is practically no wear even to the domed central part of the badge. There are no chips, flakes or significant scratches, and the enamel still shows beautiful original luster. The enamel is without repairs, 100% ORIGINAL (unlike many other WW2 expert badges that we have seen on the market). The details of the landmine, spade and pickax and wreath are very nicely preserved and crisp. The reverse has some verdigris oxidation which is not detractive. The screw post is full length, over 12.5 mm - has not been reduced. The badge comes with ORIGINAL screw plate marked "ShMZ NKPS" which fits the screw perfectly.Overall, this is an extremely attractive and well-preserved piece – in much better shape than vast majority of original Soviet expert specialist awards of WW2 era. This interesting decoration can be a great addition to a WW2 medal collection.FREE SHIPPING (USPS 1st cl. Mail) WITHIN USA ONLY! We WILL NOT ship our eBay items outside USA.

Price: 174.99 USD

Location: Tenafly, New Jersey

End Time: 2023-11-12T19:17:44.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD