Paratrooper Performance Badges

This is an enamelled badge made of yellow tombac. It has the shape of a rhombus with an elongated lower section. The height is 33 mm and the width 18 mm. The badge was manufactured in the USSR in the summer of 1944, with 2,257 pieces produced. On a blue background it shows a white parachute canopy and a white figure of a paratrooper. The entire edge of the badge is in gold, together with the outline of the canopy and figure connected by 8 suspension lines. In the lines of the parachute is the Czechoslovak state coat of arms. On the reverse side the nut bears a Cyrillic inscription indicating the manufacturer: Pobeda, Moscow.

This badge is rarely seen, and most examples are damaged — the enamel falls out very easily. Repaired examples do appear and can be identified by the colour of the enamel. Minor enamel losses in the suspension lines of the canopy are visible on my own badge, as shown in the photographs here.

These badges were introduced in 1948 and used until 1951. Both have an elliptical shape, 44 mm wide and 60 mm tall. The badge consists of a wreath, a parachute and a lion representing the state coat of arms. The base plate has an elliptical shape with a serial number engraved on its underside. The wreath is attached with four hooks, the parachute with two hooks and the lion with three.

Examples also exist that are struck from a single piece (wreath and base plate combined). They were made from tombac, and a silver version occasionally appears — this is an unofficial variant visible in the third row of photographs. These badges are today found fairly often and in varying condition; most have the red enamel in the ribbon missing.

These badges were produced by the firm Karnet Kyselý of Prague (hallmark KK), and later after nationalisation also by Zukov. The KK firm hallmarked badges on the reverse (visible in the photograph). Zukov hallmarked the pin instead, which weakened it and caused frequent breakage — hence most surviving examples today have a broken pin tip.

The badges were made of silver and are very rarely seen today. Their current market value is around 40 percent of the price of a large paraplacka — in my view too low, since this badge is rarer and fewer were made than the large version.

These badges are known as the lime-blossom badge — the so-called lipák — or the hammer-and-sickle badge. They are made of tombac, 25 mm wide and 47 mm tall. Badges of this series usually have serial numbers on the reverse, either stamped directly into the badge or on a small plate. The number is either within a star or within the canopy.

They were introduced and awarded from 1951 to 1962. There are 3 basic types plus one chrome-plated variant that soldiers had made privately. The photographs also show an original certificate authorising the wearer to wear the paratrooper badge. This series is highly sought after by collectors today, as few survive — particularly the Instructor and Master grades.

The Angel Wings version was used from 1962 to 1965. The badges are 28 mm wide and 50 mm tall, made of tombac. Badges of this series have serial numbers on a small plate attached to the reverse. This plate is missing from most surviving examples, as it was glued on and fell off over time. They were fastened to the uniform using a screw and nut.

This series is very desirable among collectors today, as it was used for only three years and very few survive — particularly the Instructor and Master grades. Their market value reflects this accordingly.

The tombac series (heavy version) was used from 1965 to 1992. Badges are 26 mm wide and 50 mm tall, usually enamelled and bearing serial numbers. Two types exist within this variant.

The first type has the numerical marking on the canopy and the red enamel in the star sits below the surface of the star. The second type has the marking within the suspension lines of the parachute and the red enamel sits flush with the edges of the star. The two versions also differ in enamel colour — the first variant has a distinctly blue enamel, while the later variant has a greenish hue. Both were fastened to the uniform using a screw and nut.

The aluminium series was used from 1965 to 1992. Badges are 26 mm wide and 50 mm tall. This series has no serial numbers and enamel is replaced by paint. Within this series the Instructor grade appears in two versions: gold and red. The gold Instructor was reportedly confused with the Master grade, and was therefore replaced by an Instructor badge with red lettering. Fastened to the uniform using a screw and nut.

The last two photographs show miniatures, which featured only the aircraft. The reverse of the darker version shows the manufacturer's logo and a serial number.

The penultimate series, used from 1993 to 2011. Badges are 37 mm wide and 50 mm tall, pressed from an aluminium alloy. Fastened to the uniform using a screw and nut. In the lower part of the badge is a ribbon with the performance grade stamped in the centre. The first badge without a grade is silver and is awarded with a certificate (see photograph). All remaining badges are gold.

The latest series in use from 2011 to the present. Grades are distinguished by the colour of the canopy and the lion:

• 3rd Grade – canopy and lion in bronze
• 2nd Grade – canopy and lion in silver
• 1st Grade – canopy in silver, lion in gold
• Master – canopy and lion in gold