Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #273355, scarce ‘Mercedes’ variation with its mint mark in two lines

Description

 

 

 

Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #273355

 

 

Awarded to IS-2 tank commander Ivan Maksimovich Kebikov (Иван Максимович Кебиков)

 

For being wounded twice when part of the 10th tank division near the city of Kharkov in 1942 and in 1945 near the city of Gdynia as part of the 7th Guards heavy tank regiment 

 

Scarce ‘Mercedes’ (the position of the spikes on its reverse) variation with its mint mark in two lines

 

 

Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 45.47 mm in height, 43.36 mm in width and weighs 31.7 grams without its screwplate. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position and the mint mark Monetni Dvor is located at the 12 o’clock position of its reverse. The minimum known serial number for this variation is 242489 and the maximum is 276539. The actual number produced of this variation is much less considering the majority of orders in this range has the spikes in their ‘regular’ position.

 

In nice condition with some minor contact marks only but with enamel loss on its top ray of the red star. The details are crisp and the white enamels and the red enamels on the other rays of the red star are problem free. Its silver screwpate is time period to the order and the screw maintained its full length.

 

Scarce piece to a heavy tank commander!

 

 

Brief description of his feat of arms or achievements:

“Tank commander, Junior Lieutenant Kebikov Ivan Maksimovich, was wounded twice on the fronts of the Patriotic War:

Wounded lightly on November 16, 1942, as part of the 10th tank division near the city of Kharkov, burned his face in the third degree.

Seriously wounded on April 3, 1945 in the 7th Guards twice red banner heavy tank regiment near the city of Gdynia, first degree burns on his body.

Upon recovery, he will become a disabled veteran of the Patriotic War.

Presented the order “Patriotic War 1st degree”.”

 

More information on Lt. Kebikov can be found here

 

 

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