Silver, 14 K gold (hammer & sickle emblem), enamels. Measures 45.2 mm in height, 42.9 mm in width, weighs 28.0 g without the screw plate. This piece is from the last MZPP series. Its hammer and sickle emblem has a characteristic "lip" in the corner between the handle of the sickle and the backside of its blade. This particular specimen has a feature that makes it almost unique: a disc that serves as a screw post base, attached with lead-based solder. The addition was done before the assembly was completed at the factory, as evident from the fact that the rivets holding the hamme

Silver, 14 K gold (hammer & sickle emblem), enamels. Measures 45.2 mm in height, 42.9 mm in width, weighs 28.0 g without the screw plate. This piece is from the last MZPP series. Its hammer and sickle emblem has a characteristic "lip" in the corner between the handle of the sickle and the backside of its blade. This particular specimen has a feature that makes it almost unique: a disc that serves as a screw post base, attached with lead-based solder. The addition was done before the assembly was completed at the factory, as evident from the fact that the rivets holding the hammer & sickle are punched through the screw post base. The added part was obviously due to the flawed original attachment of the screw post. The low melting point lead solder - as opposed to the regular silver solder - was apparently to avoid overheating the badge, a necessary precaution to preserve the enamelwork that had been already completed at that point.

Although this type of alteration by the original manufacturer is extremely uncommon, a few other specimens with the same type of screw post base have been observed, all or nearly all of them MZPP issues in the same serial number range. This is indicative of a recurrent error in technological process that resulted in faulty screw post - something that is not hard to imagine given that the MZPP factory didn't have nearly as much experience in producing decorations as either the Moscow, Leningrad, or Krasnokamsk Mint. The ad hoc screw post base solution saved cost by avoiding scrapping the expensive, nearly completed awards, and also made the reverse of the badges look acceptably neat (as opposed to having a blob of exposed solder.) It quite possibly also saved the management of the factory from some serious trouble!

Another peculiar feature of this specimen is its altered serial number. We are certain that the alteration was made at the mint, judging by the engraving style which perfectly matches the other specimen in its serial number range. The corrections of this sort occasionally occurred due to errors made by inexperienced (and probably extremely overworked) engravers; for the reasons stated above, they are far more likely to be found on MZPP issues than on a piece produced by a mint.

Very fine condition. The red enamel on the arms shows scratches and moderate amount of rubbing throughout, but no chips or flaking. The white enamel on the band has a few microscopic flakes unnoticeable without magnification, otherwise intact. The red enamel in the center is perfect. The golden hammer & sickle emblem and the silver starburst do not show significant wear. The silver exhibits attractive even patina on both sides of the badge. The screw post measures over 15 mm in length, has not been shortened. Original wartime screw plate is included

This exceptionally rare piece deserves a special place in an advanced variation collection.
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