The badge of the Federation of Polish Associations of Defenders of the Fatherland, the so-called Second Degree Commemorative Badge, together with a miniature and an ID card.
It was approved along with the regulations probably after 1928 (the correct and exact date of its approval by the Minister of Military Affairs is currently unknown).
The badge was awarded from the first half of the 1930s until 1939.
Badge of the 2nd degree (these were generally smaller - about 31 x 31 mm than badges of the 1st degree - 41 x 41 mm), two-piece, silver-plated tombak (gold plating was standard for badges of the 1st degree, and badges of the 2nd degree were silver-plated), enamel.
Made by K. J. Szurmak - Warsaw.
Pre-war cap consistent with the maker of the badge, signed only with his initials K.S.
Dimensions 40 x 40 mm - exaggerated, for a badge of 2nd degree, evidently silver.
Badge with beautiful patina, good plus condition - visible cracks in the enamel on the cross.
Miniature badge of the 2nd degree, one-piece, silvered tombac, enamel.
Its maker was most likely Jan Mirowski - Warsaw (information from pre-war cap).
Dimensions 20 x 20 mm.
Badge with beautiful patina, good plus state of preservation - visible silvering rubbing and underexposed enamel finish on inscriptions.
Accompanying the set is an ID according to the degree of the badges, issued on October 16, 1935 to Stanislaw Machura.
The grade II badge, which could be purchased by any member of the organization upon receipt of the ID card, was a typical organizational mark. It was also handed out, for example, when signing up for insurance. At that time, it was treated as proof of membership in the Brotherhood.
The Federation of Polish Associations of Defenders of the Fatherland was established on February 9, 1928, as an overarching institution to coordinate the activities of veterans' organizations and those of reservists. As part of the work of overseeing the federated organizations, they were assisted in the efficient implementation of their statutory objectives, and worked on the patriotic attitude of citizens towards the homeland. Through the establishment of cooperatives, welfare institutions or relief funds, they supported their members, also helped them with access to medical care and legal aid, represented them in state, military and other institutions, carried out: educational and publishing activities, military training and physical education, built their own facilities, including sports facilities, took care of invalids, widows and orphans of soldiers, as well as graves of defenders of the fatherland. The Federation, by design, was to be an apolitical organization. Despite this principle, the Federation's authorities did not abide by it, declaring themselves to be the political base of the ruling Piłsudski camp.
Literature: Z. Kiełb, Polskie i obce znaki honorne żołnierzy 2. Pułku Saperów Kaniowskich, Puławy 2021
