Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal Bar for a Distinguished Second World War Combatant

A medal bar for a distinguished Second World War combatant featuring six decorations, including:

1. An Order of the Red Banner, Type IV, constructed of a silver with gilt and enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse consisting of a gilded circular wreath, joined together at the bottom by a red enameled banner bearing silvered initials “СССР”, surrounding a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a bayonet, hammer, and plow, in turn bearing a red enameled star defaced by a silvered hammer and sickle on a field of white enamels, with a banner flag fitted through the star featuring a red enameled field overlaid by a silvered inscription of “ПРОЛЕТАРИИ ВСЕХ СТРАН, СОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ!” (“WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!”), the reverse stamped with a mark of “МОНЕТНЫЙ ДВОР” for the Soviet Mint, engraved with an issue number of “4028501”, measuring 36.10 mm (w) x 45.60 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Medal for Courage, Type II, Variation I, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon affixed to a pentagonal backplate, the obverse bearing a central depressed inscription of “ЗА ОТВАГУ” (“FOR COURAGE”), situated above a raised depiction of a T-34 tank and and below aircraft in formation, the six o’clock position overlaid by depressed initials “СССР”, the reverse stamped with an issue number of “2497989”, measuring 37.36 mm in diameter, demonstrating minor pitting throughout, in near extremely fine condition.

3. An Order of the Badge of Honour, Type IV, Variation I, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the top by a red-enameled five-pointed star, overlaid by two raised figures clutching red enameled banners bearing an inscription of “ПРОЛЕТАРИИ ВСЕХ СТРАН, СОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ!” (“WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!”), situated above a plaque bearing a gilt inscription of “ЗНАК ПОЧЕТА” (“BADGE OF HONOUR”), the reverse maker marked “МОНЕТНЫЙ ДВОР” for the Soviet Mint, engraved with an award number of “762011”, measuring 32.90 mm (w) x 50.48 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Medal for the Defence of Moscow, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central T-34 tank topped by Red Army soldiers, with the Kremlin visible in the background, circumscribed by an inscription of “ЗА ОБОРОНУ МОСКВЫ” (“FOR THE DEFENCE OF MOSCOW”) and a laurel leaf wreath, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ” (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”), unmarked, measuring 32.12 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

5. A Medal for the Defence of Stalingrad, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing an array of Red Army soldiers with rifles and bayonets at the ready, with a Soviet flag and Red Army vehicles and aircraft dotted across the background, topped by an inscription of “ЗА ОБОРОНУ СТАЛИНГРАДА” (“FOR THE DEFENCE OF STALINGRAD”), the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “ЗА НАШУ СОВЕТСКУЮ РОДИНУ” (“FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”), unmarked, measuring 32.00 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

6. A Medal for Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central raised bust of Josef Stalin, circumscribed by inscriptions of “НАШЕ ДЕЛО ПРАВОЕ” (“OUR CAUSE IS RIGHTEOUS”) and “МЫ ПОБЕДИЛИ” (“WE ARE VICTORIOUS”), the reverse bearing a five-pointed star at the bottom edge, circumscribed by a raised inscription of “ЗА ПОБЕДУ НАД ГЕРМАНИЕЙ” (“FOR VICTORY OVER GERMANY”), surrounding a central raised inscription of “В ВЕЛИКОЙ ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННОЙ ВОЙНЕ 1941—1945 ГГ.” (“IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR of 1941-1945”), unmarked, measuring 32.06 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 175 mm-long bar consisting of five overlaid aluminum backplates, with two threaded screw posts retaining original nuts, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.

7. A Master of Combine Harvesting Badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the reverse engraved with an award number of “2318”, with a central threaded screw post retaining an original nut, the latter marked with a Moscow factory logo, measuring 31.77 mm (w) x 39.80 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.