Aluminum, paint, lacquer; medallion is 38.8 mm tall (incl. eyelet), 38.6 mm wide. Attractive artwork showing searchlights piercing sky over the Cruiser Avrora and the Admiralty building with its distinctive spire. Unlike the more common later issues, the badge features dates "1942-1972" on the red band. The suspension has red cloth ribbon. The reverse of the suspension has raised early style logo of the Lenemalyer Factory in Leningrad.

The badge is in very fine to excellent condition. The reverse has crudely engraved number "503" - probably added there by the original owner of the badge.