|
|
|
|
|
The first class Ostvolk medals are stars with a pin on the back, to be worn on the left pocket, as the Iron Cross first class.The award is a slightly curved 32-ray star, with a central rosette with a six-petal flower. A ball joints the petals. A rope-shaped circle divides this rosette from a leaf wreath, that is divided from the rays by another rope-shaped circle. The diameter of the award is 4,5 cm. Although the materials are poor (zinc alloy), the quality of the badge is very good. |
Reverse shows the central rosette part sunken, without inscriptions or reliefs. Pin is of the heavy flat type, common in German awards, attached by a hook. The pin and the hook is always mounted longitudinally, and are different parts but very neatly soldiered to the star itself.Crossed swords (present when the medal is awarded to combatant personnel) are mounted on diagonal rays.
The meaning of the rosette and leaf symbols are unknow to me, so I hope any reader can give me any indication about it, as I haven't seen them in other Russian medals, both from Csarist or USSR items. No fakes of this award are know to me but, giving the ever-present and increasing amount of fakes of German WWII awards, maybe some of them have been manufacturated. |
|
|
|
