Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal for Distinguished Military Service, I. Class, c.1975 Archive with the House of Hanover

with the House of Hanover Shield in its centre

69mm x 20mm

the backer on the Pilot Badge peeling away from the body of the badge

four gilt bronze rank pip

This badge was introduced in 1943

Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal for Distinguished Military Service, I. Class, c.1975 Archive with the House of Hanover( ). Instituted October 28th, 1974. A five pointed convex star constructed of cupro nickel, with five shields bearing the emblems of the main branches of the Soviet military between the arms of the cross, the obverse bearing a central medallion bearing the images of a soldier, sailor, and airman, surrounded by a gilt ring inscribed For Distinction in Military Service in Russian script, the reverse is plain, marked MMD for manufacture by the Moscow