Brass, enamels; 44.9 x 37.7 mm; weighs 15.6 g without the screw plate. This relatively early NKPS variation features a domed center medallion with a star pattern under the red enamel. The machine gun undercarriage has a wheel with six spokes. The ornament at the top consists of five scrolls with a well-defined upper border.

In outstanding, excellent condition, extremely uncommon for a Soviet combat proficiency badge of WW2 era. Both the red and white enamels display magnificent luster and are essentially flawless, completely free of any wear visible to the naked eye; there

Brass, enamels; 44.9 x 37.7 mm; weighs 15.6 g without the screw plate. This relatively early NKPS variation features a domed center medallion with a star pattern under the red enamel. The machine gun undercarriage has a wheel with six spokes. The ornament at the top consists of five scrolls with a well-defined upper border.

In outstanding, excellent condition, extremely uncommon for a Soviet combat proficiency badge of WW2 era. Both the red and white enamels display magnificent luster and are essentially flawless, completely free of any wear visible to the naked eye; there are only some microscopic contact marks that are unnoticeable without magnification. The details of the wreath and machine-gun are very well-preserved and crisp. The fragile grey finish on the edge of the shield is largely intact, in and of itself an unusual occurrence for a WW2-era badge. Some of the original silver finish of the reverse of the badge is still present in recessed areas. The screw post is full length, over 11.5 mm, and includes original wartime screw plate marked "ShMZ NKPS".

All in all, this is a superb example of the WW2 Machine Gunner badge - nearly impossible to upgrade!

/Airapetyan, Breast Badges of the Red Army, 1941-1945, p. 83, fig. 4/.
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