Description

Soviet Order of the Red Banner 2nd award #11783

Rare variation with a ‘sloppy 2’!

Awarded to Test Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Grigory Prokhorovich Bityutsky (Григорий Прохорович Битюцкий) (1904-1976)

Order of the Red Banner 2nd award: Made of silver and enamels. Measures 37.66 mm in width and 46.39 mm in height and weighs 19.1 gram without its suspension. The mint mark is located above the serial number in one curved line. Only a few of this variation were produced and the serial number range is between 11709 and 11945 (Mondvor).

This original order is in excellent condition with all details crisp. The red enamel on the banners is flawless as is the enamel on the center red star. There are some tiny, almost unnoticeable chips on the white enamel on top of the shield with the ‘2’. The orders shows an attractive medium dark patine and much of the gold plating is still present. Its connection ring is uncut and the brass suspension is time period to the order.

The full translation of Bityutsky’s record card can be found here

More info on Bityutsky can be found here

The website above states that among the planes Bityutsky tested were the Tupolev R-6, YER-2, DB-3F, PE-2, PE-8 and MIG-9 (see images)

A beautiful and rare piece. A great addition for the serious variation collector!!!!

Please contact us with questions