SMGN-0777 5th Don Cossack badge

A very rare badge worn by the only unit of Russian Cossacks to fight against the Bolsheviks on behalf of German in WW2. The members of this unit were immediately shot by the Russians if captured during the war. After the war, any Cossack that served the Germans and could not escape the Russians were also shot, hung, or otherwise dispatched and retaining this badge would have been an immediate death sentence for any Cossack. Consequently most were destroyed or buried and very few have survived.

A rare badge made in stamped aluminum. This one is in top condition with minimal wear and nearly perfect paint. This one has the propper pin, crimp and die flaw near the 5. Tough to upgrade. These were worn by the Cossacks fighting for the Germans and most were discarded to avoid persecution by the Russians when Germany fell.  A desirable badge.