Another cool discussion. Yup, I also believe that one is a crude fake.
Here's one I used to own, indeed bought from Ukraine. These all share similar characteristics like similar handwriting, lack of NKVD # badge written in, etc. What got me about mine was the photo: that's not even an NKVD uniform!
Definitely a fake. I have one like it and all the tell-tale marks are there. The first thing I look for on these is the actual "No.______" which is always blank so that someone can write in whatever number he/she wants and the less than ornate handwriting. If you've ever seen an original, you will never mistake a fake again.:) I believe Aver 8 has a good example.
It looks like the maker of the award document went through significant trouble to "age" the ID with what appears to be everything from mold (easily done with a zip bag, a bit of moisture and exposure to the sun for a couple of days) to fire. Old tricks, but at least he had better penmanship than most.:rolleyes:
The badge (though it belongs in another thread;)) may well be real - with most if not all of the ribbon enamel replaced (it shouldn't be that dark and so very, very few survived intact because of the brittle quality of the mint enamel in the early badges. Even the not-so-perfect sickle is one of the signs of these "МД" marked badges, along with the faint mirror of the scallop shell red enamel behind the sword.
From the pictures, it is hard to say for certain, but I think the badge itself is original - much of the enamel is not. My guess is that the seller is asking an astronomical amount for this "set" with "perfectly intact" enamel.:(
