This is an original World War II-era badge issued by the Finnish Reserve Officer School (Suomen Reserviupseerikoulu) to a graduate of Course 56 in 1941. The badge is constructed as a dark blue enameled cross with silver-toned edges and features a raised central rosette, a traditional Finnish heraldic symbol. Crossed swords above the rosette symbolize readiness for combat, while the letters “U.K.” stand for Upseerikoulu (Officer School). The number “56” at the base indicates the graduating class. On the reverse, the badge is neatly engraved with the cadet’s name, “HUTTUNEN M,” and retains its original screwback disc, clearly marked by the Helsinki firm Veljekset Sundqvist, a well-known wartime badge and insignia producer.

This badge was awarded in 1941 during the early months of the Continuation War, which began in June of that year. Finland had previously fought the Soviet Union in the Winter War (1939–1940), where it successfully resisted a massive Soviet invasion but was ultimately forced to cede territory. In the months following, Finland sought to rebuild and expand its military forces in anticipation of renewed conflict. When Germany launched Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, Finland re-entered the war as a co-belligerent—not a formal Axis power—with the primary objective of regaining its lost territories and securing its eastern frontier.

The Reserve Officer School in Hamina played a central role in Finland’s military preparations. During wartime, courses were shortened and intensified to rapidly train young men—many just out of school—to lead platoons and companies in the field. Graduates of Course 56 would have been commissioned as junior officers (typically alikersantti or vänrikki) and sent directly to the front lines. There, they would assume leadership roles in the Karelian Isthmus, East Karelia, or along the Svir River, where Finland engaged in heavy fighting against the Red Army.

The named example offered here, awarded to “Huttunen M,” connects directly to that generation of young Finnish officers who fought in harsh conditions with limited resources, often against overwhelming odds. Their resilience and tactical skill earned the Finnish Army global respect and left a lasting legacy in the country’s military tradition.

This badge is more than an award—it is a symbol of national service and personal commitment during one of Finland’s most critical chapters. An excellent, named example, well-preserved, and steeped in wartime history, this piece would make a fine addition to any collection of Finnish militaria or World War II artifacts.

WW2 Finnish Reserve Officer School Course 56 Badge (Suomen Reserviupseerikoulu)