2018 Russian FSB Military Counterintelligence 100th Anniversary Badge Variation 2 – Moscow Pobeda, Official Issue

Description

Original Item – Only One Available. An official jubilee badge marking the 100th anniversary of Russian FSB military counterintelligence, dated 1918–2018. The centenary commemorated the creation of the centralized military counterintelligence structure in December 1918 and the institutional lineage later continued through the Soviet Special Departments, wartime SMERSH, and the modern military counterintelligence bodies of the Russian FSB. In the collector classification of this anniversary series, Moscow’s Pobeda workshop produced three principal design variations; this variation II pattern is the more frequently encountered of the three, although genuine maker-marked examples remain specialized departmental material rather than general commemorative souvenirs.

The badge is an imposing multipiece sword-and-shield construction in gilt-colored metal with deep red and dark-blue enamel. The central shield bears the Russian double-headed eagle within a laurel wreath above the large raised numeral “100”, while the surrounding blue scroll reads “Military Counterintelligence.” The dates “1918–2018” appear within the lower frame, and the vertical sword rising behind the shield completes the traditional security-service composition. Compared with the other Pobeda variations, this version is distinguished by its predominantly gilt finish.

Condition is excellent overall, with rich enamel, strong original gilding, crisp raised lettering, and only light handling marks visible under close photography. The reverse retains its original threaded post and maker-marked screw plate inscribed “Moscow Pobeda.” Although this is the more accessible of the three Pobeda-produced variations, complete original examples remain desirable to collectors assembling the full centenary series or specializing in FSB, military counterintelligence, SMERSH-lineage, and modern Russian departmental insignia.