Silver gilt, enamels; 46.3 x 26.5 mm; weighs 14.9 g not including the screw plate; four-piece construction. This is a Type 1 badge featuring a wire attachment of the star (as opposed to the rivets as on Type 2).

In excellent condition. The enamel is free of chips or flaking and appears perfect to the unaided eye. There is a small amount of rubbing to the lower arms of the red star, visible only under magnification. Details of the state emblem are crisp, and some of its original gold plating is still clearly visible in its recessed areas. Shows nice silver patina to both the obverse and reverse. The screw post is full length, well over 10 mm. The mint marked screw plate is a period replacement but it fits the screw perfectly.

/Avers 8, p. 494, fig. 2370; see also Y. Dumanskiy Badges of the Higher Education Establishments of the Armed Forces of the USSR, pp. 41-42/.