Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal For Combat Service, Type I (Medal "For Battle Merit") Hold hand marked in black ink

hand marked in black ink on the inside lid

the obverse bears four white and red enamel panels with a central black enamel swastika

and the introduction year (1941)

gilt loss evident on the insignia

a single shoulder board of interwoven bright silver/aluminum and green Russian braid mounted on a green fabric base

Russia, Soviet Union. A Medal For Combat Service, Type I (Medal "For Battle Merit") Hold hand marked in black ink( ). Instituted in 1938. In silver, number impressed "114674" on the reverse,measuring 32. 2 mm (w) x 38 mm (h), the red enamelling on "CCCP" having been lost to time, contact marks, suspended from a ribboned rectangular hanger with screwback, fine. Footnote: Medal for Combat Service was a Soviet military medal awarded for "combat action resulting in a military success", "courageous defense of the state borders", or "successful military and political