Croatia, Independent State. A Ustasha Defence Badge 1941-1943 United Republic of reliable and conscientious

reliable and conscientious

reverse six o’clock arm of the cross bears Cyrillic initials “ІК” for maker Julius Keibel while the twelve o’clock arm bears a Romanov royal warrant

The sides of the boot bear two rows of stitching

Composed of a non-magnetic metal alloy and brass

Croatia, Independent State. A Ustasha Defence Badge 1941-1943 United Republic of reliable and conscientiousIn die stamped aluminum, without maker's mark but known to have been manufactured by Braca Knaus of Zagreb, number stamped "1161" on the reverse, measuring 43 mm (w) x 57 mm (h), missing its pinback, residue evident in the recessed areas, fine. Footnote: This badge was worn by the members of the Ustasha Defense Units. The primary role of the Ustasha Defense was security and policing of the camps like Jasenovac, Stara Gradiska, and others. These units