This item and a hand full of additional lead proofs and prototype badges came into the premium hobby in the late 1970s via a man who worked in the famous premium producing company Robbins of Attleboro, Mass. In this Auction see these additional unique Tom Mix items #1618-1623 and Radio Orphan Annie #1631-1632. This item is a 3/16" thick piece of lead 1.5x2.75" tall. It came from the Robbins factory and was produced by striking the die on a lead sheet so the design could be seen as flawless before production began on the Ralston premium "Straight Shooter" badge offered in 1937. The back of the piece has a hand scratched production number "M5585." The front of the piece has raised image in lead of the badge. This is the example pictured in the Hake Pop Culture Guide as TMX-127 with a guide value of $1,500. Unique and Mint as made.