Pins of the Proletariat
@proletariatpins.bsky.social
A collection of East German (and Eastern Bloc) military and civilian awards, pins, and badges.
A project by: @iamkosmonaut.bsky.social
A project by: @iamkosmonaut.bsky.social
From 1966 to 1968, anyone who honorably left active service in the NVA and thus became a reservist received a pin that came in three levels: the bronze level for 18 months to 2 years of service, the silver level for 2 to 10 years of service, and the gold level for more than 10 years of service.
April 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
From 1966 to 1968, anyone who honorably left active service in the NVA and thus became a reservist received a pin that came in three levels: the bronze level for 18 months to 2 years of service, the silver level for 2 to 10 years of service, and the gold level for more than 10 years of service.
A Soviet pin of a Tupolev TU-104 - issued as part of a long series of aviation pins.
April 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A Soviet pin of a Tupolev TU-104 - issued as part of a long series of aviation pins.
One of a series of badges handed out in East Germany in 1965 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Karl-Marx Stadt (known as Chemnitz before 1953 and after 1990).
April 8, 2025 at 7:55 AM
One of a series of badges handed out in East Germany in 1965 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Karl-Marx Stadt (known as Chemnitz before 1953 and after 1990).
A late 1950s - early 1960s Czechoslovak pin handed out to members of the "Svazarm" - the largest paramilitary organisation on Czechoslovakia. Svazarm was an abreviation for "Svaz pro spolupráci s armádou" or in English "Union for Cooperation with the Army".
April 4, 2025 at 9:15 AM
A late 1950s - early 1960s Czechoslovak pin handed out to members of the "Svazarm" - the largest paramilitary organisation on Czechoslovakia. Svazarm was an abreviation for "Svaz pro spolupráci s armádou" or in English "Union for Cooperation with the Army".
A pin handed out in the German Democratic Republic in 1971 to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the East German State.
April 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A pin handed out in the German Democratic Republic in 1971 to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the East German State.
A very worn "Balkan Tourist" badge from Bulgaria. Established in 1948, Balkantourist was a state owned tour operator (much like the Soviet "Intourist"). It was privatized in 1995 and continues to operate to this day under the name "Tourist Sevice Holding".
April 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A very worn "Balkan Tourist" badge from Bulgaria. Established in 1948, Balkantourist was a state owned tour operator (much like the Soviet "Intourist"). It was privatized in 1995 and continues to operate to this day under the name "Tourist Sevice Holding".
An undated Pin from the Communist Youth of Greece - KNE (Kommounistiki Neolea Elladas), the youth organization of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).
April 2, 2025 at 7:35 AM
An undated Pin from the Communist Youth of Greece - KNE (Kommounistiki Neolea Elladas), the youth organization of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).
A polish pin handed out in 1980 on the 25th anniversary of the Warsaw Pact.
April 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A polish pin handed out in 1980 on the 25th anniversary of the Warsaw Pact.
A badge celebrating the 1982 Czechoslovak World Motocross "Grand Prix" in Holice. (First held there in 1963) The grand prix was organised by the Svazarm, the largest paramilitary Organisation in Czechoslovakia
April 1, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A badge celebrating the 1982 Czechoslovak World Motocross "Grand Prix" in Holice. (First held there in 1963) The grand prix was organised by the Svazarm, the largest paramilitary Organisation in Czechoslovakia
A pin of the Hungarian Pioneers Association with the motto "Elöre" (Forward). Founded in 1946 - it followed a similar structure as the other socialist Youth Pioneer groups in eastern Europe. It still operates to this day.
March 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
A pin of the Hungarian Pioneers Association with the motto "Elöre" (Forward). Founded in 1946 - it followed a similar structure as the other socialist Youth Pioneer groups in eastern Europe. It still operates to this day.
First Issued in Bronze in 1955, the "Badge of Honor" of the National Front (an alliance of parties and mass organisations of the GDR) was awarded housing communities and municipalities for exemplary work in socialist society and for the struggle for peace. It was later awarded in silver.
March 31, 2025 at 7:15 AM
First Issued in Bronze in 1955, the "Badge of Honor" of the National Front (an alliance of parties and mass organisations of the GDR) was awarded housing communities and municipalities for exemplary work in socialist society and for the struggle for peace. It was later awarded in silver.
A pin from the Socialist German Workers Youth. Formed in 1968 in West Germany by members of the banned German Communist Party, it famously supported the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. It is still active to this day.
March 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A pin from the Socialist German Workers Youth. Formed in 1968 in West Germany by members of the banned German Communist Party, it famously supported the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. It is still active to this day.
A very tiny pin of the Socialist Unity Party of West Berlin. Initially known as the SED Westberlin, it was the western counterpart of the the East German SED. After the construction of the Berlin wall, it could no longer officially operate as a part of the SED and renamed itself SEW in 1962.
March 28, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A very tiny pin of the Socialist Unity Party of West Berlin. Initially known as the SED Westberlin, it was the western counterpart of the the East German SED. After the construction of the Berlin wall, it could no longer officially operate as a part of the SED and renamed itself SEW in 1962.
A widely distributed pin from the Soviet "Intourist" organisation, a Soviet tour operator and the main travel agency for foreign tourists in the Soviet union. It was privatized in 1992 and was owned by the travel agency Thomas Cook until 2019. It was also heavily intertwined with the KGB.
March 27, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A widely distributed pin from the Soviet "Intourist" organisation, a Soviet tour operator and the main travel agency for foreign tourists in the Soviet union. It was privatized in 1992 and was owned by the travel agency Thomas Cook until 2019. It was also heavily intertwined with the KGB.
A pin from the Bulgarian Dimitrovist Pioneer Organization "Septemberists". The DPO "Septemberists" organized children between 9 and 14 years old. The logo features the face of Georgi Dimitrov, the first leader of the Communist People's Republic of Bulgaria alongside the slogan "Always Ready!"
March 27, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A pin from the Bulgarian Dimitrovist Pioneer Organization "Septemberists". The DPO "Septemberists" organized children between 9 and 14 years old. The logo features the face of Georgi Dimitrov, the first leader of the Communist People's Republic of Bulgaria alongside the slogan "Always Ready!"
First issued in 1956, the "Medal of Merit of the National People's Army," was awarded for outstanding service and personal commitment to increasing the combat strength and combat readiness of the National People's Army. The medal was awarded in bronze, silver, and gold.
March 24, 2025 at 11:40 AM
First issued in 1956, the "Medal of Merit of the National People's Army," was awarded for outstanding service and personal commitment to increasing the combat strength and combat readiness of the National People's Army. The medal was awarded in bronze, silver, and gold.
A pin handed out for the 5th "German Gymnastics and Sports Festival of the GDR" in Leipzig in 1969. The gymnastics festival has a long tradition in Germany, with the first being held in Coburg in 1860. The next festival is scheduled for 2025 in Leipzig.
March 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A pin handed out for the 5th "German Gymnastics and Sports Festival of the GDR" in Leipzig in 1969. The gymnastics festival has a long tradition in Germany, with the first being held in Coburg in 1860. The next festival is scheduled for 2025 in Leipzig.
A medal awarded for shooting at the first Estonian SSR Summer games in 1959.
March 21, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A medal awarded for shooting at the first Estonian SSR Summer games in 1959.
A Soviet pro-Cuba pin. Issue date uncertain.
March 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
A Soviet pro-Cuba pin. Issue date uncertain.
The “Militärisches Mehrkampfabzeichen” (Military multi-discipline badge) was awarded in 3 classes by the East German GST Paramilitary Organisation. It entailed fully equiped cross country running, long-range hand grenade throwing and shooting. Below, the award in Bronze.
March 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The “Militärisches Mehrkampfabzeichen” (Military multi-discipline badge) was awarded in 3 classes by the East German GST Paramilitary Organisation. It entailed fully equiped cross country running, long-range hand grenade throwing and shooting. Below, the award in Bronze.
The “Militärisches Mehrkampfabzeichen” (Military multi-discipline badge) was awarded in 3 classes by the East German GST Paramilitary Organisation. It entailed fully equiped cross country running, long-range hand grenade throwing and shooting. Below, the award in Silver.
March 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The “Militärisches Mehrkampfabzeichen” (Military multi-discipline badge) was awarded in 3 classes by the East German GST Paramilitary Organisation. It entailed fully equiped cross country running, long-range hand grenade throwing and shooting. Below, the award in Silver.
The “Militärisches Mehrkampfabzeichen” (Military multi-discipline badge) was awarded in 3 classes by the East German GST Paramilitary Organisation (Sport and Technology Society). It entailed fully equiped cross country running, long-range hand grenade throwing and shooting. Below, the award in Gold
March 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The “Militärisches Mehrkampfabzeichen” (Military multi-discipline badge) was awarded in 3 classes by the East German GST Paramilitary Organisation (Sport and Technology Society). It entailed fully equiped cross country running, long-range hand grenade throwing and shooting. Below, the award in Gold
This Sputnik badge was handed out in 1959 for the "relaunch" of the "Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy" (VDNKh / ВДНХ) in Moscow. The VDNKh is a permanent general tradeshow and park, established in 1935.
March 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This Sputnik badge was handed out in 1959 for the "relaunch" of the "Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy" (VDNKh / ВДНХ) in Moscow. The VDNKh is a permanent general tradeshow and park, established in 1935.
Since 1950, the first sunday of July in the GDR was celebrated as the Day of the Miner and Energy Worker. Every miner and Energy Worker that took part in the festivities received a badge, which was unique to that year. This example stems from the year 1983.
March 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Since 1950, the first sunday of July in the GDR was celebrated as the Day of the Miner and Energy Worker. Every miner and Energy Worker that took part in the festivities received a badge, which was unique to that year. This example stems from the year 1983.
A common symbol celebrating the October Revolution of 1917, the Cruiser Aurora - as legend goes - fired a blank shot signaling the assault on the winter palace.
March 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A common symbol celebrating the October Revolution of 1917, the Cruiser Aurora - as legend goes - fired a blank shot signaling the assault on the winter palace.