Brass, enamels; measures 21.4 mm in height, 21.7 mm in width; weighs 3.6 g not including the screw plate. Early version, featuring a distinctly convex overall shape and the ice axe in high 3-d profile. The quality is very high, typical of Soviet badges of the period.

In outstanding, excellent condition. The enamel shows a beautiful luster and is literally perfect: completely free of wear that could be found even under a 10x magnification. The screw post is full length, well over 9 mm, and includes original maker-marked screw plate.

This badge is from the early period when the mountain climbing achievement awards came in two classes: Mountain Climber 1st (lower) Level and 2nd Level. These were replaced by the single "unified" badge that came up in the early 50s. The early, Stalin-era issues are of course more scarce and very interesting historically. A badge like this may have been awarded to a mountaineer who fought the Nazis in the mountains of the Caucasus during WW2.

Please note, the penny in our photo is for size reference.