Among the first rifle awards was a modest soldier's badge, which was given to the winners of the shooting. The badge was a circle with a diameter of 30-35 mm, depicting a target on which two crossed rifles were superimposed. Around the circle of the target was the inscription “For excellent shooting”. Pre-revolutionary signs were made from different metals (iron, brass, bronze, copper), while maintaining the overall pattern and layout. Fastening of the badge "For excellent shooting" is screw or on brackets, less often with a pin.
Shooting was most widely developed among officers. The officers of the military units took part in the annual competitions for the imperial prizes in shooting from a three-line combat rifle and a revolver. The winners were awarded with badges in the form of an oval 35 × 50 mm, on which the inscription “For excellent shooting” and a target were embossed. Overhead crossed rifles were attached to this oval, and on them was the state emblem. The badges were made of bronze or silver and had a screw mount.

The sign for the lower ranks had three degrees:

The right to wear the badge of the first degree was also preserved during the production of officers, only the officer was obliged to order a badge for himself reduced by one third.

Badges were not ordered centrally for all the Armed Forces, but were ordered by districts and armies. The treasury released 50 kopecks for the production of the first steppe, for the second and the third - 15 kopecks.
If you collect by variety, then I think you can collect several dozen signs.
The initials on the back are the initials of the owner of the workshop, and nothing more.

The badge for excellent rifle shooting was imperially approved on May 10, 1879 and announced in the order of the military department No. 130 of May 18 of the same year< для поощрения отличных стрелков всех частей пехоты и кавалерии и для наружного их отличия вместо галунных и басонных нашивок на погоны >The badge was worn on right side chest It consisted of a circle depicting a target on it, rifles were superimposed on it.An embossed inscription around the target's circumference<За отличную стрельбу>Target surface matt rifle polished Pattern on the target<должен быть исполнен в чертах>On the reverse side there are 4 lugs D = 31mm, rifle length 48 = mm. On June 28, 1880, there were some changes The sign was prescribed< За отличную стрельбу из винтовки>to be worn with all forms of clothing For the convenience of its fit, instead of 4 ears on the reverse side, it was supposed to have 2 legs located one opposite the other, the ends of which are bent to the middle with a slight gap between them. mm Brass

Signs<За отличную стрельбу из винтовки>1,2, and 3 degrees Established August 6, 1909
Order No. 368/1909 for the military department read:<Вензель и лента знака 1-й степени изготавливаются из томпака винтовки вороненые Лента окружающая вензель выштамповывается в виде овала делается матовой шириной 1/8 вершка и имеет на наружной поверхности выпуклую надпись <За отличную стрельбу>on the sides there are two protruding polished rims and at the bottom there is a bow On it there is an image of a target with a diameter of 7/32 inches Two crossed rifles are stamped from one piece of metal have 5/32 inches The distance between the outer ends of the butts is 6/8 inches and the blow is 5/8 inches The parts of the sign are connected copper wires Fastening a copper screw and a nut The sign of the 2nd degree is made of a tombak with a diameter of 6/8 inches and a weight of 2 1/2 spools. The badge of the 3rd degree is made of cupronickel weighing 2 1 \\ 2-3 spools The signs are fastened with the help of soldered copper on the reverse side of the copper plate, the ends of which are bent to the center forming paws Composition of copper tombak no less than 87% zinc no more than 12% tin about 1% The composition of cupronickel copper 60-62% zinc 23-25% nickel 15% In practice, with huge production runs, other cheaper alloys were used

In the award system of the Soviet Union, the badge "For excellent shooting" appeared on November 5, 1926 - this decision was made by the Revolutionary Military Council. This badge was needed to encourage the best infantry riflemen and cavalrymen of the Red Army.

History

The badge of excellent marksmen outwardly resembles similar awards with which the best rifle shooters were encouraged in tsarist Russia. The badge appeared by a personal decree of Emperor Alexander II in 1879 and was awarded to the winners of competitive shooting held in military units. There were several varieties of a similar design: the badge was made in the form of a round target, on which rifles were superimposed. The length of the rifles in the first samples was 4.8 cm, but after a few months it was reduced to 4.6 cm.

Along the outer circle was the inscription “For excellent shooting”. It was applied by the method of relief casting. The texture of the target was matte, and the images of the rifles were cast with a glossy sheen.

Three degrees

The classification of signs by degrees in Russia was introduced in 1909:

• 1st degree - the design was distinguished by a complex pattern with a royal monogram. The monogram was wrapped around a ribbon, and along its outer edge was the inscription "For excellent shooting." At the bottom of the tape was a bow, and on it was a target. For the production of the badge, silver or tombac was used;
• 2nd degree - looked like a yellow metal circle with two crossed rifles;
• 3rd degree - differed from the 2nd degree badge in metal: craftsmen used cupronickel instead of tombak.

3rd degree awards were presented to infantrymen for the first victory in the competition. For the second victory, they received a distinction of the 2nd degree, for the third - the 1st degree. Cavalry officers serving in the engineering troops had to win the shooting four times to be awarded the 1st degree.

Soldiers wore insignia on the right side of their military uniform. If there were several differences, he was obliged to wear everything, fixing one above the other. When an employee was promoted to an officer's rank, the badge was attached to the left side of the uniform. Badges for excellent marksmen were made in the settlements where the military units were based. No strict records were kept, so the exact number of those awarded is unknown.

Before the revolution, jewelers also made lapel badges - by order of the athlete's friends or relatives. Such samples were made of silver, gilding, and sometimes of gold and existed in a single copy. After the 1917 revolution, the royal awards were abolished.

On November 5, 1926, the Revolutionary Military Council of the Soviet Union established an insignia for military personnel of the Red Army who were doing military service. First-year soldiers were given a silver badge, second-year employees - golden.

1926-1927 years

There was a red star in the center of the token. In the center is a white circle with a hammer and sickle. The two lower rays are extended. In the foreground is a Red Army soldier in an overcoat, his silhouette partially obscuring the star. In the lower part there is a machine gun "Maxim", even lower - a ribbon with the phrase "For excellent shooting." The award badge is made of tombak, there is a screw fastening on the back. Dimensions - 4.9 x 3.6 cm. No certificate was issued for it.

1928 year

In 1928, the Revolutionary Military Council updated the award system - the badge for the best shooters also changed. Now they were awarded to infantry and cavalrymen who showed significant success in military service training and excellent shooting results. The bronze breastplate is made in the form of a ring. On it are crossed rifles, between the barrels - the inscription "USSR", along the ring - "For excellent shooting." Later, there were samples with a red star in the center and the imposition of rifles on it. They were handed over to servicemen of the second year of service, in the offset of which there were already tokens “For good shooting”.

For gunners

There were separate awards to reward the gunners (sailors-gunners) who showed excellent results in competitive shooting. They were approved on March 11, 1924. The icons are round, with two guns overlapping. The cannons are crossed, a red star is fixed on top of them. In its center is an anchor. A silver ribbon is laid around the circle, the ends of which are connected with a bow. On the ribbon and bow - the inscriptions "For excellent shooting" and "USSR". Both are made in gold, the token itself is made of bronze and silver plated.

1938 year

In 1938, a new reward system was established in the Soviet Union. On May 21 of the same year, a new sign was introduced. It was awarded for excellent results in shooting from different types of weapons to servicemen:

• The Red Army;
• NKVD;
• commanders of the Red Army;
• to soldiers and officers previously awarded the titles "Excellent Gunner" and "Excellent Shooter";
• to the personnel of the coastal service (since 1940).

The awarding ceremony was held in a solemn atmosphere (more often on the days of military holidays). The badge was handed out along with the certificate. It looked like a round medallion connected by a chain to a block. On the medallion there is a white target and a black apple. On the target is a red star with a hammer and sickle, on the sides there is a red flag on the pole and a laurel branch. At the very bottom - the abbreviation "RKKA". The name of the insignia is located along the upper semicircle.

The dimensions of the medallion are 4.5 x 3.6 cm. The dimensions of the block are 1.2 x 0.6 cm. The award was made of bronze or brass, some details were additionally coated with silver. The craftsmen also used white, red and black enamel in the decoration. At first, the badge was worn on the left - above the breast pocket of the tunic. Over time, he moved to the right side. It was reinforced below other state awards.

Total number of awarded

The Soviet government encouraged a total of 291,000 riflemen. The insignia were issued until June 1941, and with the beginning of the Second World War they ceased to be awarded. Many fighters went to the front with minimal training, did not know how to properly handle rifles. During the war, the "Sniper" badge appeared - it became an alternative to the badge that existed from 1926 to 1941.

Price

The price of the badge "For excellent shooting" depends on the year of manufacture, condition, materials from which it is made. Of particular value are the 1st degree tokens that were used during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I. Rare things cannot be bought just like that - there are few of them. The average cost is 7-10 thousand rubles.

Samples of the 2nd and 3rd degrees can be purchased on the Internet for 1.5-2 thousand rubles. Awards, issued before 1909, without division into degrees, will cost 8-12 thousand. Engravings or dedicatory inscriptions indicating belonging to high-ranking officials, aristocrats, automatically increase the value of the lots. The cost of badges produced during the Soviet period rarely exceeds 1.5 thousand rubles. Late samples can be purchased for 200-300 rubles.

26 Apr 2005

Help me to understand. I have a badge for excellent shooting. The badge of an ordinary, there were a lot of them in due time, made of bronze or red copper. I read that, depending on the material, they were 2nd or 3rd degree. The first degree differed sharply in appearance (Nicholas's monogram, wreath, etc.) The question is that my sign is silver. It does not look like private work, there are no hallmarks, it is made by a stamp, in general, the manufacturing technology is classic for state signs. But the material is different, and the dimensions are larger by about 3-4mm. Could this be an early grade 1?

28 Apr 2005

The sign is silver, I have already won vodka in this case, the drawing and proportions with the 1st degree from the book, kindly shown by Erna, are very similar. Maybe what tsar's warehouse manager learned to shoot? It's not good for a whole warehouse store with a copper trinket to walk ...

07 May 2005

The question is probably. to ERNE.
There are the same signs, but the return line - two brazed brackets - opposite each other. The groove they form is for the belt. So the question is - it's probably for a harness (not for a rifle). I have three such signs, in an upright position connected to each other by means of three-link chains connecting the butts of the upper rifles with the barrels of the lower ones. Moreover, each link is also sealed tightly. And the signs are definitely old, and these links too - traces of a coating of copper oxide of a white-green-blue color are visible. The same plaque in hard-to-reach places has my first degree. That is, they were connected in chains during the reign of Tsar Pea. What does this mean? He distinguished himself three times, and where did he wear them?

08 May 2005

The answer to this question is on the page that I gave above under N2, although Sheveleva in the "Breastplates of the Russian Army" has a photo of 4 combined signs, and without the 1st degree. Fastening for the 2nd and 3rd degree, as a rule, on a belt (you can ask people to put up a photo with an option for fastening to a belt, I think someone has it). Well, I will put up a sign of the 1st degree without holes or ears for fastening lower degrees.

Attached Images

08 May 2005

BADGE FOR EXCELLENT RIFLE SHOOTING
Approved May 10, 1879 "to encourage excellent marksmen of all infantry and cavalry units."
The badge is a round bronze disc in the form of a target. The circles of the target are embossed, along the circumference there is an inscription: “For excellent shooting”. Two crossed rifles are superimposed on the middle of the target. On the reverse side there are four swivels for attaching to clothes.
The badge was introduced for the lower ranks to replace the lace and trim stripes on the shoulder straps. The badge was worn on the right side of the chest. In 1880, the rules of wearing were changed - they began to wear it on the left side of the shirt and overcoat, and with the headdress - on the right end. The badge was prescribed to be worn in reserve.
Height - 44 mm; width - 31 mm.

Photo of 1915
On August 6, 1909, three degrees of the sign were introduced, the first being the highest. The badges "For excellent shooting" II and III degrees retained the drawing of the sample of 1879. The badge of the II degree was made of bronze, the badge of the III degree was made of white metal. At repeated awards, badges of different degrees were worn one above the other.

Attached Images

08 May 2005

I wrote. but probably not quite exactly, I missed one word. I have three signs made of dark bronze, connected by chains, but absolutely identical - all 2 degrees (according to Fig. 2) - return - under the belt - brace. And the mark of the 1st degree is separately - on the screw, but not as shiny as yours Erna, but made of darkened bronze. This is so, addition.
Post edited by michael: 08 May 2005 - 21:37

08 May 2005

I wrote that Sheveleva in the "Breastplates of the Russian Army" has a photo of 4 connected signs and without the 1st degree, so how they were worn remains a mystery.
Tomorrow I'll post a scan from the book.
P.S. I have a sign in gilding

10 May 2005

And I have 1 tbsp. one-piece stamped. Those. rifles are not overhead. According to the mind, 1 tbsp. should be of gilded bronze with rifles oxidized or painted black. And they didn't wear badges on the belts. The antennae are really weird, like to be worn on fabric, but worn on clothes.

The badge "For excellent shooting" was established in 1922. He appeared under the influence of a similar award and badge "Scout of the first degree", which were considered prestigious among the soldiers of the tsarist army. Similar signs were known in other countries. They encouraged good marksmen in the infantry and cavalry.

The badge "For excellent rifle shooting" was established under Alexander II in 1879. The badge was awarded to the lower ranks, who became winners in shooting in their military unit.

Badge "For excellent shooting" period of Nicholas II

The sign consisted of a circle that had the image of a target, on which images of rifles were superimposed crosswise. The target was surrounded by an embossed inscription “For excellent shooting”. The target image had a matte surface, and the rifle image was polished.

Earlier versions depicted a berdanka. After 1891, a Mosin three-line rifle appeared on the sign. The length of the rifles was 4.8 cm. Later they were shortened by two millimeters.

There are about a dozen varieties of the Nikolaev royal signs. Most often it is a target medallion with two crossed rifles. Less often, you come across a circle of a complex design with Nikolai's monogram, a crown on top and two rifles surrounded by a ribbon.

In 1909, three degrees of the mark were established:

1. A complex drawing with a monogram is a sign of the first degree. It was made from tombak, less often from silver; rifles were made blued. The ribbon surrounding the monogram was in the form of an oval. On its outer surface there was an inscription “For excellent shooting”. On the sides there were two polished convex rims, and a bow at the bottom. The image of the target was placed on the bow.
2. Second degree - a circle of yellow metal (tombaka) with the image of two crossed rifles.
3. Third degree - it was made of cupronickel, the drawing corresponded to the sign of the second degree.

An ordinary infantry winner for the first time was awarded the badge "For excellent shooting" of the third degree, if he became the winner for the second time - the badge of the second degree. To be awarded the first degree, one had to become the winner three times. The cavalrymen, as well as the rank and file of the engineering troops, were awarded the first degree badge for four victories in competitions, the second degree - for three, and the third, respectively, for two victories.

The badge was supposed to be worn on the right side of the uniform. Each mark was awarded only once. If a soldier was awarded signs of two or three degrees, he was obliged to wear them all - one above the other. At the same time, the signs were connected to each other by chains of three links, between the butts of the upper rifles and the muzzles of the barrels of the lower rifles.

A corresponding entry was made in the service record. The list of the winners who distinguished themselves was hung out in the company premises until the next competition.

Those awarded were not deprived of their badges in case of defeat in other competitions. If a private was promoted to an officer, he continued to wear a badge, only on the left on his chest.

Nobody knows exactly how many signs existed. They were made at the location of military units and were not kept.

This type of insignia was canceled after the 1917 revolution.

1) The sign of 1922 looked like a five-pointed star made of red enamel, which had a hammer and sickle in the center. On the star stood a Red Army soldier in an overcoat and a budenovka, who fired from a three-line rifle. The machine gun "Maxim" was depicted behind the Red Army soldier. The lower rays of the star are connected by a ribbon with the inscription “For excellent shooting”.

Badge "For excellent shooting" during the USSR

In 1928, the system of awards was modernized in the Red Army. Other examples of such badges have been approved. Since that time they have had two degrees. One was awarded in the first year of service, the other in the second. Rewarding was carried out based on the results of summer or winter training.

2) The sign of 1938 looked like a target; a red five-pointed star with a sickle and a hammer was placed above it. On the left, the target is framed with a red banner, on the right - with laurel leaves. Under the target is a curly ribbon of red enamel with the inscription "RKKA". The sign was hung by two chains from a small rectangular block of red enamel.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, badges were no longer awarded. The combat training of the conscript was minimal, he went to the front almost untrained, many privates were armed with outdated Mosin's three-line. In the first months of the war, giving the badge would have looked like a cynical act and mockery.

During the war, an alternative was found - the "Sniper" sign was introduced, and after the war in 1947 - "Excellent shooter".

Foreign analogues

It is noteworthy that the sign of the same name also existed in other European countries. Signs are known in Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany and other countries. A sign with a target and two crossed rifles existed in Austria-Hungary.

It was a popular award in Bulgaria under Tsar Boris III (reign 1918-1943). Moreover, the sign was very reminiscent of the Russian first degree. Silver badges were awarded in Kaiser Germany, there was a similar award during the Nazi period. Awards were given to the winners of the competition, members of the Hitler Youth. Latvian silver badges are known, which were awarded from 1920 to 1939.

Price

Treasure hunters often find these signs. An exception is the badge of the first degree, which was in circulation under Nicholas I. It is one of the rare, and even photographs of servicemen with this award are among the rarities.

Signs of the second and third degree come across at the places of deployment of military units, many options can be easily bought on the Internet. The cost depends on the condition and the year. Signs cost from 8-10 thousand rubles until 1909, when there was no division into degrees.

The cost of the Nikolaev insignia of the first degree in good condition is 5-7 thousand. The average price of badges of the second and third degree is one and a half thousand rubles.

The cost of a sign can be more expensive, for example, if it has a dedication or it belonged to a famous person.

A badge of the Soviet period can be bought for 200-1600 rubles. Rare signs with a Red Army soldier and a machine gun are more expensive.

The price range of the cost of signs of other countries also starts from 200 rubles. The average cost is one and a half thousand. If the award is made of silver or plated with gold, then its value may exceed two thousand rubles.

Badge "For excellent shooting" of the USSR

The badge "For excellent shooting" appeared in the award system of the USSR on 11/05/1926. This happened by the corresponding order of the Revolutionary Military Council No. 386.

Who was it intended for

The awards were given to persons who served in the ranks of the Red Army. In the first year of service, fighters were awarded silver badges. In the second - golden.

In 1928, the system of awards was modernized in the Red Army. Other examples of such badges have been approved. Since that time they have had two degrees. One was awarded in the first year of service in the Armed Forces, the other in the second. Rewarding, as a rule, was carried out based on the results of summer or winter training.

Icon appearance

Bronze icon. Silver plating was present on some specimens. It was made in the shape of a 5-pointed scarlet enamel star. The sprocket is vertically extended. Its rays are notched. A round white enamel medallion is located at the intersection of the rays. There are Soviet symbols on it - the hammer and sickle. Two rays located below are longer than the others.

In front of the scarlet star is the figure of a Red Army soldier. He is wearing an overcoat and a budenovka. To the right of the Red Army soldier is the famous Maxim machine gun. The soldier himself is aiming with a three-line rifle, model 1891. Below is a black ribbon on which is engraved in capital letters: "For excellent shooting."

On the back of the badge, under the screw, there were stamps. They could be different, everything depended on the workshop engaged in the manufacture of products. In particular, the hallmark of the metropolitan district assay office had the appearance of a worker's head looking to the right.

The dimensions of the badge were 4.9 × 3.57 cm. The certificate was not attached to it.

Icon history

The design of the badge was based on the awards “For excellent rifle shooting” and “Scout of the 1st category”. They were in circulation even in tsarist times. In the first years after the revolution, all the old insignia were abolished, but then it was decided to use the best experience of the tsarist army.

The badge "For excellent rifle shooting" was one of the most common in tsarist times. It appeared in 1879 at the behest of Tsar Alexander II. Intended to encourage the lower ranks in the military and naval service. It was awarded to the best shooters, winners of shooting competitions held in the regiment. In 1909 the sign was divided into 3 degrees.

The "First Class Scout" badge was founded in 1891 under Alexander III. It is pre-designed for the cavalry.

Mosin rifle

This weapon, which appeared in 1891, otherwise called the three-line, was actively used from the moment of its creation until the end of WWII. It has undergone modernization several times during this time. The weapon is named three-line because the caliber of the barrel is 3 lines (7.62 mm).

The magazine rifles were used long before the appearance of the three-line rifle. They were used by the Americans against the indigenous population of the country, as well as in the civil war. During the war of 1877-1878. the Turks used Winchester rifles. But, despite this, not a single country in Europe has taken a magazine rifle into service. The reason is the impossibility of their use as a mass military weapon.

In 1889 S. Mosin took part in the competition. He proposed his own 3-line rifle, based on his single shot. But he was asked to improve the weapon. In 1891, after the tests carried out, the Mosin rifle was adopted. But changes were made to the design. Mosin received the Great Mikhailovsky Prize.

In service in the USSR, this rifle was from the very beginning of the creation of the Red Army until the end of the Second World War. After that she remained in military schools. Many rifles were transferred to DOSAAF.

Revolutionary Military Council

The RVS was the supreme governing body of the Red Army. He acted collegially. It was created in 1918 and abolished in 1934. Its foundation took place on 02.09.1918 on the basis of the corresponding resolution of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.

Members of the organization were proposed by the Central Committee of the party. The approval took place by a resolution of the Council of People's Commissars. No specific number of members has been identified. At different times there were 2-13 of them, excluding the chairman, his deputies and the commander-in-chief. During the work of the Revolutionary Military Council, it included 52 people.

The chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council was the head of the People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs. The abolition of the body took place on 20.06.1934 in accordance with the decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars. The first chairman of the RVS was L. Trotsky, the second - M. Frunze, the third - K. Voroshilov.

L. D. Trotsky

Leiba Bronstein, one of the brightest revolutionaries, was born in 1879. He studied at the Odessa School of St. Paul. Then he moved to Nikolaev. At the age of 17, he took up revolutionary activities, became a member of a Marxist circle. At the beginning of 1898 he was arrested for the first time. He spent 3 years in a prison in Odessa. There he also married the revolutionary A. Sokolovskaya.

In 1900 he was exiled to the Irkutsk province. After 2 years he fled abroad. In a fake passport he wrote the name Trotsky. That was the name of one of the prison guards. I came to London to see Lenin and began to work with him. In 1903 he moved to Paris. There he married N. Sedova.

In 1905 he secretly returned to his homeland with his wife. He was one of the founders of the Council of Workers' Deputies in St. Petersburg. In early December, he was arrested and sentenced to an eternal settlement in Siberia. He was disenfranchised. He escaped from Berezovo and again went abroad. While living in Vienna, he published the newspaper Pravda. But soon the Bolsheviks began to publish their own newspaper with the same name. This led to a conflict. The publication of the newspaper had to be stopped.

When WWI began, Trotsky fled to Paris. In the 17th he ended up in the United States. There he intended to stay for a long time, since he did not expect revolutionary events in his homeland. But in February he sailed to Russia. He ended up in Petrograd in early May. In October he was elected chairman of the Petrograd Soviet. In this post, he created the Military Revolutionary Committee to prepare for an armed uprising. He became one of the main leaders of the October Revolution. He was engaged in organizing the defense of Petrograd during the Krasnov offensive.

After the October coup, he was appointed People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs. Experts say that it was Trotsky who invented the word "People's Commissar" (People's Commissar). Pretty soon he left this post and became the head of the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs. 09/06/1918 became the chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the RSFSR. Trotsky became the first commander-in-chief of the Red Army.

In August 18th Lev Davidovich on the "train of the Pre-Revolutionary Military Council", traveled on the fronts for 2.5 years. In fact, he lived there. He maintained discipline with very cruel methods, often using executions.

As the war drew to a close, he began to pay more attention to peaceful economic activities. Created the first labor army, but the experience turned out to be negative.

After Lenin's illness, a struggle for power began. The main contenders were Trotsky and Stalin. After Lenin's death, Trotsky gradually began to lose power over the army. At the next party congress, he was harshly condemned. They demanded that he admit his mistakes, which Trotsky refused to do. At the beginning of the 25th, he was removed from his posts as chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council and military commissar.

After that, Trotsky practically did not engage in political activities. At the end of the 27th he was expelled from the party, and since he refused to repent, he was forcibly exiled to Alma-Ata. At the same time, he was brought to the station in the literal sense of the word in his arms, since he refused to go. In exile, Trotsky lived in rather mild conditions. But, since he continued his stormy activity there, it was decided to send him out of the country. This was done at the beginning of the 29th.

On the ship "Ilyich" he departed for Turkey on about. Buyukada. The island was located near Istanbul. After 3 years, Trotsky was deprived of his Soviet citizenship. A year later he left for France, and 3 years later he went to Norway. In this country he was placed under house arrest. Lev Davidovich was constantly threatened to extradite him to the USSR. As a result, he moved to Mexico. There he was sheltered by the family of artists D. Rivera and F. Kahlo.

Stalin, realizing that the expulsion of his enemy was a big mistake, began to look for ways to eliminate him. In May 1940, the first attempt was unsuccessful. It was led by Siqueiros. The second attempt was successful. This happened on September 20, 1940. R. Mercader, sent by the NKVD, who got into the confidence of Trotsky, hit him on the head with an ice pick. Lev Davidovich died a day later. His body was cremated. In the 60s, R. Mercader came to the USSR. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.