Brass, enamels; measures 44.8 x 36.2 mm; weighs 15.7 g without the screw plate. Unlike many badges of the "WW2 Proficiency Series" that were made in the post-war years, this piece is clearly a WW2 model characterized by a relatively domed center medallion, large scrolls at the top and other features. It is among the early Excellent Baker badges produced by the ShchShZ Factory (Shcherbinskiy Stamping Factory) soon after the institution of the badge in March 1943. Among its distinctive details is the top ornament formed by five wide scrolls with a wavy upper edge. This badge is attributed

Brass, enamels; measures 44.8 x 36.2 mm; weighs 15.7 g without the screw plate. Unlike many badges of the "WW2 Proficiency Series" that were made in the post-war years, this piece is clearly a WW2 model characterized by a relatively domed center medallion, large scrolls at the top and other features. It is among the early Excellent Baker badges produced by the ShchShZ Factory (Shcherbinskiy Stamping Factory) soon after the institution of the badge in March 1943. Among its distinctive details is the top ornament formed by five wide scrolls with a wavy upper edge. This badge is attributed to the ZhRPT factory in the catalog by Airapetyan, which gives it a rarity rating of 4 out of 5. /B. Airapetyan, Breast Badges of the Red Army, 1941-1945, p. 127, fig. 2/ Another example of the badge by this maker is shown in the more comprehensive catalog by Khlamkin, classified there as Type 4 and identified as a ShchShZ production. The latter book gives this version of the badge rating 5 out of 5 - i.e. very rare.

Excellent condition. The enamel is exceptionally well-preserved, especially for a badge of WW2 period, and shows a beautiful luster throughout. There are only a few tiny contact marks, most of them invisible to the naked eye, no chips, significant flaking or repairs. The details of the wreath and loaves of bread are well preserved and crisp. There is a nice even toning to the brass. On the reverse, a good amount of the original silver finish is still clearly visible in the central area around the screw post. The screw post is full length, measuring about 13 mm. The screw plate marked "Pobeda Factory, Moscow" is of WW2 period and although apparently not original to this particular badge, fits it perfectly.

There were probably far fewer issues of the Baker badge than of any other in the "WW2 proficiency" series. The book Breast Badges of the Red Army by Borisov gives a combined total of 33000 for Excellent Cook and Excellent Baker badges issued both during and after the war. Assuming a 10:1 ratio between army cooks and bakers (an admittedly arbitrary estimate which seems reasonable), we will arrive at approximately 3000 issues of the Excellent Baker badge. By Soviet standards, this is a tiny number which explains the rarity of original Excellent Baker badges of any kind. It is especially hard to find a WW2 issue in a condition as nice as the example offered here.
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