Brass, enamels; 45.3 x 38.5 mm; weighs 17.5 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 eight spokes. The ornament at the top consists of five scrolls with a well-defined upper border.

In excellent condition, very uncommon for a Soviet combat proficiency badge of WW2 era. Both the red and white enamels display magnificent luster and have only some tiny contact marks that are either barely noticeable or completely invisible to the naked eye. 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 fully 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, approx. 13 mm, and includes original wartime screw plate in brass-plated steel maker-marked "ShMZ NKPS".

All in all, this is a truly outstanding example of the WW2 Machine Gunner badge!

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