Brass, enamels; measures 47.8 mm x 37.8 mm; weighs 15.8 g without the screw plate. This is the first, elongated version of the badge made by the NKPS Factory. Features scallop-shaped top ornament consisting of seven small scrolls.

In outstanding, excellent condition - extremely uncommon for any Soviet "Combat Proficiency" badge of WW2 era. The enamel has only a few tiny contact marks that are either nearly or completely invisible to the naked eye, free of the usual chips, flaking, rubbing or significant wear of any kind. Both the red and white enamel show magnificent luster. Details of the artwork are essentially perfect and very crisp; a good amount of the original gilt finish is clearly visible in the recessed areas. The silver finish on the reverse shows practically no wear; interestingly, the reverse also has a fair amount of "spillover" gilt, clearly a manufacturing oversight. The screw post is full length, approx. 12 mm. The badge comes with an original WW2-era screw plate marked "ShMZ NKPS" which is somewhat loose on the lower third of the screw post due to worn threads but still holds well on most of it.

Overall, a superb example through and through - almost impossible to upgrade condition-wise.

/See Breast Badges of the Red Army, 1941-1945, p. 98, fig. 1/