Russia, Imperial. A Membership Badge of the Imperial Society of Russian Firemen, Pre-1909 Pattern

Constructed of a silver alloy, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel and oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a banner bearing initials “И.Р.П.О.” (Императорское российских пожарных общество, or Imperial Society of Russian Firemen), joined together at the centre by the monogram of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, topped by a royal crown, surrounding a pair of crossed axes defaced by a fireman’s helmet, the reverse with a spring-loaded vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, the reverse stamped with a swan assay mark and content and maker marks rendered illegible with polishing and wear, measuring 45.03 mm (w) x 64.22 mm (h), weighing 30.5 grams, a stunning pre-1909 pattern badge in extremely fine condition.