Russian MVD Moscow Criminal Investigation Department (MUR) Veteran Badge – Variation 1 Serial Numbered, Rare Original Issue

Description

Original Item – Only One Available. A rare original Moscow Criminal Investigation Department (MUR) Veteran Badge, representing one of Russia’s best-known criminal-investigation institutions. MUR traces its modern institutional history to 1918 and became the principal criminal-detective organization for Moscow, responsible for operational investigation of serious crime, identification and apprehension of offenders, and the fight against organized and violent criminality. The badge was intended for honored veterans and former officers of the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department, whose service belonged to the operational-investigative branch of the Soviet and later Russian internal-affairs system.

This example is the desirable Variation 1, distinguished by its individually serial-numbered reverse. It predates the more frequently encountered Variation 2, which has screwback reverse, making the numbered first variation considerably more difficult to obtain. The badge is constructed in substantial gilt metal with deep blue and translucent red enamel, with Saint George defeating the dragon at center, the traditional emblem of Moscow, surrounded by the inscriptions identifying the wearer as a Veteran of the Criminal Investigation Department, MUR. A vertical sword, gilt laurel branches and the classic shield form complete the traditional Russian operational-service design.

For a specialist collection, the combination of direct MUR attribution, veteran status, early Variation 1 construction and an original serial number makes this substantially more desirable than the later unnumbered type. It is a particularly strong piece for an advanced collection of Russian MVD, Moscow police, criminal-investigation and detective-service insignia.