WWI Russian Badge ID help

[Bordiss]

Hey guys, I was at the local swap meet today, and came across a pretty neat find. I think I may have a good collectors piece. Ive gotten as close in as I can to identify the location and age, and after looking at http://www.925-1000.com/Frussia_kokoshnik_01.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I have determined that it is from St. Petersburg WWI era; it has the right facing head on the main mark, one on a small round mark, and another on a small round mark on the back piece.
Ive found a few like this, but nothing with a "78 'head imprint' a" and the front is two pieces. See the photos for the closeups. If anyone could give me some more details such as is it military, what branch, and just any information on this kind of object in general, would be SO greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!
Michael Cain

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http://lifeandtimesofmemphis.shutterfly.com/2495" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://lifeandtimesofmemphis.shutterfly.com/2496" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://lifeandtimesofmemphis.shutterfly.com/2497" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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[JAKJO]

Hi Michael,

I have identified it as a graduation badge. I have found two similar on the net described as follows:

- Badge of the Alexandrovsky Railway Institute, hallmarked 88, in silver, by Bok.

- Badge marking the Graduation from the Institute of the Railway Engineers. Silver, multi piece construction, no hallmarks, screw back suspension (P.& B.Vol.I, 1.1.12.)

I think we will need better high-resolution photos of all the marks.

Hope this helps,

Best regards/JAKJO
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[Qrt.S]

Hi Michael,

I hate to say this Michael, but your badge is a fake/copy. The counterfeiter has not bother to investigate how a genuine Russian silver mark looks like. The mark that looks like a shovel is not correct. I would advise you to find out how a real mark looks like. Doing that you can educate yourself and avoid bad bargains in the future.

And sorry JAKJO, but a high-resolution photo will not change the situation a bit. This is a fake. However, it can be a copy and/or look like a genuine badge.
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[Postnikov]

Hi -

your "kitchen-made" badge



The original







Now compare for yourself, learn and buy only what you know!
Quality is the secret of Russian silver!

Many thanks to http://www.aw-o.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for providing the photos

Regards
Postnikov
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[Bordiss]

bummer. No worries on the buy what you know, I go with by what you can afford to be fake, and this one fell in that category. :) Good thing is I got turned on to a new world of items, and found a lot of good reference materials.

If this is a fake (Im going to assume the experts here are on their mark) then they did a pretty good job of making the hallmarks and such accurate.

thanks for all the help, and if anyone has any contrary or additional info, I would be glad to see it.

Thanks!
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