This item and a handful of additional prototypes came into the hobby in the late 1970's via a man who worked in the famous premium producing company Robbins of Attleboro, Mass. This piece spent nearly two decades in the Hake Collection before we finally parted with it a decade ago. This unique item is pictured in Hake's Pop Culture guide as TMX-129 with a value of $7500.00. The piece was likely created in 1937 as a trial design to show Ralston executives in the process of creating the premiums to be offered the next year in 1938 known as the "Wrangler" badge and the higher rank "Ranch Boss" badge. The badge is 2" tall of thin brass die-stamped with the Ralston checkerboard design, the TM brand and the words "Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters." In addition there are 15 hand engraved accents lines on the five arms of the star. Reverse has horizontal bar pin. The brass has incredible reflective gold luster. You can actually see your mirror image when looking at it. Mint as made and unique. A most special Tom Mix prototype premium.