Bidspirit auction | Original Soviet Russian Silver ORDER

Original Soviet Russian Silver ORDER of GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR 2nd cl.#52767, Type 2 - Original Soviet Russian Silver ORDER of GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR 2nd cl.#52767, Type 2, Variant 2, sub-variation 2 Type 2. Screwback fastening. On 19 June 1943, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issued the Decree ”On approval of samples and descriptions of ribbons for orders and medals of the USSR and rules for wearing orders, medals, order ribbons, and insignia.” According to this decree, the Order of the Patriotic War was classified among orders ”attached to clothing without suspension mounts — by means of a screw post and nut.” Thus, Type 2 of the order lost the suspension mount and instead received a threaded post on the reverse. Construction The badge itself consists of two principal components: Primary element — a ten-pointed silver star (the enamel five-pointed star and the radiant five-pointed star are combined into a single piece). Second element — an applied gold hammer and sickle. A third component may be considered the round screwback nut, 33 mm in diameter, which screws onto the silver threaded post soldered at the center of the reverse. The nut bears no inscriptions. On the reverse are two copper rivets securing the hammer and sickle. These rivets are located in the center of the reverse, on either side of the threaded post (at approximately the 2 and 8 o’clock positions). Orders of the Patriotic War, Second Class (Type 2), were produced in large quantities at three mints and one factory. As a result, a substantial number of variants and sub-varieties exist, making systematic classification difficult. Previously, a classification was proposed based on the character of the reverse surface (e.g., ”star-shaped, ” flat, concave, etc.). This system has since lost relevance. For example, the same ”star-type” reverse (expressed to varying degrees) appears across a wide serial-number range — from 30 up to 700,000. Therefore, below is proposed a fundamentally new approach to classification, based on production batches issued by different mints. Within these mint-based groups, specific sub-varieties (where present) will be described accordingly. Production of the second variant began immediately after the cessation of manufacture of the first variant; the serial-number range was not interrupted by output from other enterprises. Unlike the first variant, the mint mark is positioned below the threaded post (at the 6 o’clock position). According to the observations of V. Durov, the relocation of the mint mark to the lower part of the order may have been influenced by the technical directive issued on 13 April 1944, titled “Technical Conditions for the Application of the MINT Factory Mark and the Engraving of Serial Numbers on Orders and Medals.” This document specified that on Orders of the Patriotic War, Second Class, the inscription was to be placed in the lower part of the badge, with the serial number engraved beneath it. However, the document likely formalized an already established practice, as orders with the lower-positioned mint mark appeared well before its issuance. Each word of the mint mark was applied with a separate punch. The word is curved along an arc — either upward or downward. On this basis, second-variant orders can be divided into two sub-varieties. Below the mint mark is the serial number, engraved by hand with a burin and arranged horizontally. Nearly all examples of the second variant display, on the reverse, a more or less pronounced counter-relief pattern in the form of a five-pointed star. On the reverse of many pieces (especially among early serial numbers), technological control marks in the form of single digits or letters can be found. The serial-number sequence of the second variant was not continuous; orders were produced in batches. The numerical gaps between these batch intervals were filled by production from other mints, as will be discussed below. Sub-variant 2 is characterized by the word ”MONETNYJ DVOR” in the mint mark being curved upward in a convex (arched, ”hump-shaped”) manner. Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com ***All lots are sold as-is and where is. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, and SOFE AUCTIONS do not give refunds. SOFE AUCTIONS ARE PLEASED TO OFFER IN-HOUSE PACKAGING AND SHIPPING SERVICES. PACKAGING SERVICE ONLY: start at $25 and up depending on your item/s. Available IN-HOUSE shipping is within the USA of small, medium, semi-large, NON-FRAGILE items. PLEASE SELECT IN-HOUSE SHIPPING FOR FAST,