Soviet WW2 “Ready for Labor and Defense” (GTO) Badge, 1st level, 1940 – 1946 issue.
This is GUARANTEED 100% ORIGINAL officially awarded badge of WW2 era, NOT a replica or more recent issue!
The badge is made in Nickel-plated brass and “hot-baked” enamels, measures 35.6 x 27.5 mm. The enamel and overall workmanship are of very high quality, typical of the Soviet mint production.
The badge in in VERY GOOD overall condition. The obverse is superb; the enamel is perfect, free of the usual flaking or rubbing and retains magnificent luster. The raised details and nickel finish are likewise pristine– a very unusual case. The full-length, 10-mm screw post has been repaired or strengthened with extra solder but the screw appears to be original to the badge. Comes with a scarce original screw plate showing the Mint logo and stamped serial number "81815".
GTO badges of this early model could be issued until 1946, but they were only produced from 1940 through mid-1941. The production stopped almost immediately after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941.
