What is this badge?

[jamest8]

Hello Gentlemen
Can anyone tell me what this badge is. I suspect that it isn't PSZ, pre war perhaps so it may be in the wrong section.
All comments most welcome
Many thanks
James

[lithgow]

Only a guess but a Machine Gun battalion would seem likely.

[jamest8]

Only a guess but a Machine Gun battalion would seem likely.

That was my thought too - is it anything to do with 5 CKM perhaps? I couldn't find any reference to it in the Wojciechowski/Sawicki book which made me wonder if it was pre war. It isn't a collar badge is it? Wrong shape?

[lithgow]

Looks more like an upper sleeve flash but can't tell the size from the photo.

[A.J. Zawadzki]

James, your gut feel was correct, this is a pre-war Polish badge. It served two purposes. From 1919-1930 it identified a soldier as belonging to a machine gun company or squadron. From 1932-1939 it was reintroduced as an award to proficient machine gunners. The addition of a bar below indicating an especially skilled machine gunner.

The photo of three young Border Defense Corps (KOP) soldiers shows both grades of the badge, dating the photo to post 1931.

Regards,
Tony

[jamest8]

Thanks everyone. Great to see the badges in wear. Big aren't they.

Thanks Tony for taking the time to post so much info.

All the best

James

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Not a problem James. Here's another interetsing image I had in my archives showing variations of the badge.

Regards,
T.

[jamest8]

Fascinating - many thanks for sharing