Bulgaria – Civil Defence Volunteer Merit Medal, 1984–1991
kr 250.00
In stock
Description
BULGARIA – Civil Defence Volunteer Merit Medal, 1984–1991
(Медал „За заслуги към Доброволните отряди на трудещите се“ / Medal for Merit to the Voluntary Detachments of the Working People)
Instituted on 4 April 1984, this medal was awarded in the People’s Republic of Bulgaria to members of the Dobrovolni otryadi na trudeshtite se—the Voluntary Detachments of the Working People, commonly abbreviated DOT. Although frequently catalogued in English as the “Civil Defence Volunteer Merit Medal,” the organisation primarily served as a state-organised auxiliary supporting the protection of public order and the national frontier. The medal recognised courage, meritorious service and actions involving personal risk. It remained in use until the end of the socialist state in 1991.
The decoration consists of a circular gilt-brass medal suspended from a blue ribbon with narrow red edge stripes, mounted in the characteristic Eastern European pentagonal style. It was manufactured by the State Mint in Sofia and measures approximately 32 mm in diameter.
The obverse features a radiating background surrounding a shield decorated with a red star, laurel branches and socialist heraldic elements. Across the shield appears the word „ОТЛИЧНИК“, meaning approximately “distinguished member” or “exemplary member,” while the inscription „ЗА ЗАСЛУГИ“ below translates as “For Merit.”
The reverse bears the inscription „ДОБРОВОЛНИ ОТРЯДИ НА ТРУДЕЩИТЕ СЕ“, translating as “Voluntary Detachments of the Working People,” with oak foliage below. Members of these detachments assisted the Bulgarian authorities in maintaining public order and, in some areas, supporting frontier-security duties.
This is an official late-socialist Bulgarian service award rather than a purely commemorative souvenir. It represents the system of organised civilian auxiliaries that operated alongside the Ministry of the Interior during the final decade of the People’s Republic.
Condition: Very Fine to Extremely Fine; gilt finish remains bright, with light surface marks and minor age-related wear. Design, inscriptions and relief details are sharp and clearly preserved. Original-style blue ribbon with red borders remains clean and complete; pentagonal metal mounting and rear fastening pin intact.