The countdown of the history of the badge in Russia began in 1827. Then in the Russian Empire, insignia for impeccable service were approved. Over the next four decades, several distinctive signs were established .
However, in October 1917 there were about a thousand varieties of badges. The signs of the regiments appeared. The first, established as an award, Order of the Red Banner was considered the most prestigious.
Then these small emblems captured many regions of Russia: they were used in public service, charity organizations, academic societies, and higher educational institutions. It was at that time that commemorative badges appeared in honor of coronations, anniversaries, and even reforms.
Value
At that time, they became a reflection of the high importance of the person who wore them. Signs were made by the best artists and jewelers of the Empire. Therefore, the badges of that era are considered highly artistic works that are of great value.
Appearance
Signs had a wide variety of forms, embodying unique ideas of the most diverse nature. The most complex compositions consisted of many elements and were covered with enamel, had inserts with enamel. The technique of manufacturing them to this day is considered unsurpassed. Development was carried out with full responsibility and seriousness.
The badge of the regiment united the history of the entire unit. Past work, images were approved by the emperor himself. To this day, one glance at these works is enough to see the scale of the author’s return. The consequence of this was the formation of badges as an interesting layer of Russian history.
Rarity
At the moment, the number of the most popular sign of the time of the October events is approximately 250 units, no more. While the part is so rare that it is found only in single copies. Many of the then existing compositions have not yet been discovered. The low circulation was due to the fact that to obtain them required a length of service. In addition, schools, courses of those years, officers graduated in small quantities. And after the October Revolution, keeping any imperial symbolism became simply dangerous. Rare awards were massively destroyed, and the most valuable items made of precious metals were smelted.
Only a part of the historical insignia was managed to be exported abroad or kept secretly from everyone.
In Soviet Union
The traditions prevailing in the Russian Empire were also adopted by the state of the Soviets. Under the new government, the issue of the USSR badges for the Armed Forces was carried out from the very first days. As prototypes, pre-revolutionary compositions were used. On this foundation, whole systems of insignia of subsequent years were built.
Along with demonstrating the merits of citizens, military badges served as a way to distinguish commanders from among subordinates.
During the Great Patriotic War
The Red Army insignia at that time replenished with the production of 23 “excellent students”, two maritime aviation badges, and the “Submarine Commander” badge. Due to the influence of martial law on production, they were all different even though they were manufactured under the same conditions and using the same technology. The badges of the USSR of those years also trace the inheritance of the best features of their predecessors.
The Order of Lenin was considered prestigious; 35 thousand Soviet citizens received it. He was also given out for outstanding services in strengthening and defending the Soviet state.
The Order of the Red Star was intended for the Red Army, including ships. During the war period, it received about three million people. He was also awarded military units.
In 1942, the Order of the Patriotic War was introduced, intended for both the Red Army and civilians.
For the commanders of senior officers was issued the Order of Victory. They could be obtained after the successful conduct of hostilities, which entailed fundamental changes in hostilities and brought closer the victory of the USSR.
The Order of Glory received 2.5 thousand privates, sergeants of the Red Army and junior lieutenants of aviation, who showed courage and courage.
For the Red Navy veterans there was the Nakhimovsky Order. He was given out for outstanding success in the fight against the Nazis. In total, 500 units came into the world.
For the development of perfectly implemented operations at the front, the Red Army commanders were awarded the orders of Kutuzov. The award received more than five thousand Soviet commanders.
Brilliantly showing the talents of the leader during the military operations relied on the Order of Suvorov. They were given about 7000.
The order of Alexander Nevsky, which was awarded to the commanders of the Red Army for conducting successful hostilities, became unique. They were awarded 42 thousand. Red Army commanders. The award was attended by a curious image. The fact is that the images of the legendary commander Nevsky did not survive to this day. And the image of Nikolai Cherkasov was minted on the medal. He was an actor who played the role of this legendary person in a Soviet film that became famous throughout the country.
After the war
The next stage in the development of badges is considered to be the period until the 90s. High artistic value was not characteristic of objects of this entire period. Nevertheless, they were willingly collected. During this period, there were three types of signs: for specific actions (fighting, results in mastery), commemorative (in honor of anniversaries, campaigns and battles) and the third variety - demonstrating qualifications in something.
Armed forces also issued badges upon graduation from a military institution.
Police
The first awards for law enforcement officials were signs introduced by Nicholas II in 1903 in honor of the bicentenary of St. Petersburg. Most of the subsequent awards were introduced already by the Soviet authorities. Most of them were issued in honor of the creation of various public services. And the most famous tokens in honor of the first anniversary of the October Revolution. Since 1940, the signs “Honored Worker of the NKVD” were issued. With the change of name of the service, the signatures on the awards also changed, but their appearance remained unchanged. This happened with the badges of the police.
All badges produced for these structures were influenced by army traditions. Since most Soviet citizens belonged to all kinds of structures, the fashion for wearing decals quickly spread everywhere.
In Russia
After the collapse of the USSR, much remained of the legendary predecessor in the Russian Federation. This also applied to government departments. So, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RSFSR was preserved with a partially changed name. There were also special badges of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for its members, largely repeating Soviet models. They incorporated the whole history of this oldest organization. The highest police badge in the Russian Federation at the moment is "Honorary Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs." They are awarded only to persons with at least 15 years of service who have shown dedication during their work.
As for other government agencies, almost every one of them has a list of specially approved medals and badges. There are awards for distinguished traffic police officers, riot police, the Russian Guard and so on.
Breastplates of Russia are of great interest. All government agencies are in search of their own historical roots. They are reflected in the end in the insignia.