| KGB Badges by Shawn M. Caza |
| Part
1. KGB badges. Introduction. |
| Part 2. NKVD, MVD, & MOOP distinction badges |
| Part 3. Service badges. |
| Part 4. Special Department badges |
| Part 5. Anniversary badges (General) |
| Part 6. Anniversary badges (Special) |
| Part 7. Education badges |
| Part 8. Miscellaneous badges |
| Part 9. Border Guards |
Front page
KGB Service Badges are the basic KGB badges. It is not know if any of these badges are genuine or even if there is a genuine badge of this design. They may all be fantasy badges. It is certain that all of the brass and cold enamel versions are fake. A single solid copper and hot enamel version has been seen which may be genuine. On the other hand it too may be a fake, just older or better. No badge of this design has been seen in a genuine KGB photo or in the KGB-FSB Museum.
Fake KGB Service badge (B.2.1) Type 2 Variation 3. This screw-back badge is made from stamped brass. It has a dark blue enamel shield rim. (Courtesy of Dennis Desmond, Spetsnaz Web Site.)
View of 9 KGB screw-back badges. The first 4 are KGB Service badges, the next two are Distinguished Employee of the USSR KGB badges, the final three are KGB Special Sections (OO) badges. With the possible exception of the top left hand badge (B.2.1) all of the badges are fake/fantasy pieces and not genuine KGB issue.
First row, left. KGB Service badge (B.2.1) Type 1. This badge differs from type 2 badges in it construction. It is made of cast bronze with very high quality hot-enamel. Type 2 badges are made of stamped brass with good quality cold-enamel. It has white enamel on the shield rim, translucent green enamel on the shield background and red enamel in the ribbon. The casting is very high quality compared to the type 2 badges. There is no marking on the reverse which is smooth though slightly rippled. This may or may not be genuine. The construction and quality favour it being genuine but corroborating evidence (photo, etc.) is needed before it can be accepted as an established genuine badge.
First row, middle. Fake KGB Service badge (B.2.1) Type 2 Variation 2. This stamped brass badge has white enamel on the shield rim.
First row, right. Fake KGB Service badge (B.2.1) Type 2, Variation 3. This stamped brass badge has dark blue enamel on the shield rim.
Second row, left. Fake KGB Service badge (B.2.1) Type 2, Variation 1. This stamped brass badge has no enamel on the shield rim but green enamel on the shield background.
The other fake badges are described on the relevant pages.