The badge of the Infantry Officer Cadet School in Ostrow Mazowiecka.
It was established on May 25, 1919 by the commandant of the School of Infantry Cadets, Lt. Col. Marian Kukiel.
The author of its design was a student of the school - Karol Kuźmiński (the surname Koźmiński is also given).
It was approved by the Minister of Military Affairs in 1929, along with regulations, which underwent some modifications in 1936.
Badge in a version with a dark red epaulette border, intended for the school's instructional staff (officers and non-commissioned officers), with No. 852 (stamped with a numerator), four-piece, most likely oxidized silver, enamel.
Made by Jozef Michrowski - Warsaw.
The pre-war cap is consistent with the maker of the badge, which is additionally signed with his initials J.[M.] on the obverse, at the bottom of the shield.
Dimensions 40 x 37 mm
Badge with beautiful patina, very good minus condition - light rubbing of epaulettes.
The history of the badge includes the Officer Aspirants School, established on August 28, 1917 by the Germans, which trained candidates for officers of the Polish Armed Forces. It was dislocated in Ostrów Mazowiecka, then moved to Zegrze and again to Ostrów Mazowiecka. After Poland regained independence, it was moved to Warsaw as the Officer Cadet School. In 1926 it began its activities in Komorow. Its task was to train officers in the rank of second lieutenant for infantry and, after the completion of the unitarian period, candidates for cadets.
Beginning in 1919, every officer, regardless of the type of weapon, was to undergo a unitarian period. Graduates of the Officer Cadet School had the right to enter all officer schools of the Polish Army. At the school, in 1922, the Officer Infantry School was organized.
In 1928, the Officer Cadet School ended its existence, and the reorganized Officer Infantry School became the Infantry Cadet School. In turn, the Unitarian Course was renamed the Unitarian Course of the Infantry Officer Cadet School, which was moved to the barracks in Różan. The remaining battalions of this school remained in Ostrow Mazowiecka.
Literature: W. B. Moś, W. Soszyński, Polskie Szkolnictwo Wojskowe 1908-1939. badges, emblems, documents, Kraków 2007