Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal for Distinguished Military Service, I. Class, c.1975 GTRexclude affixed to a bronze backplate

affixed to a bronze backplate with a vertical pinback and period original length of ribbon

maker marked “RZM M5/82” (Steinhauer & Lück

on a grayish-blue wool bases

by Philip the Good

Onwards through the trenches

Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal for Distinguished Military Service, I. Class, c.1975 GTRexclude affixed to a bronze backplate( ). 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