This belt was not made in the USSR. Manufactured in the Republic of Belarus after the collapse of the USSR (1992). That means: instead of a brass plate, cheaper steel is used. As expected, polishing is not possible, after 4 days of wearing the varnish on the edges of the plate and the star is worn off. Artificial leather is used here instead of thick leather. Still a very high quality item. The most comfortable belt of my life.