Russia, Imperial. A Rare Air Service Pilot’s Badge, c.1917
(Нагрудный знак военного летчика). Instituted 13 November 1913. (1913-1917 issue). In silvered bronze, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel and oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, overlaid by a central crowned coat of arms of the House of Romanov, flanked by feathered wings, in turn on top of crossed swords, the reverse with a screw and silver backplate with washer, the backplate bearing a kokoshnik mark and master’s mark of “Ф.Г.” (“F.G.”), measuring 44.28 mm (w) x 39.42 mm (h), weighing 25.6 grams (inclusive of fixtures), in near extremely fine condition.

