Japanese WWII Order of the Rising Sun 6th Class, Pre 1940

Original period manufacture. Silver medal featuring a white enameled badge with a red enameled carbochon at center. Three-Five-Three Pawlonia leaves on the green enameled suspender, with its original ribbon and mounting hook on the reverse. Prior to 1940, the only way to differentiate between the 5th & 6th classes of the Rising Sun, was that the 5th class had a thin gilded finish to the rays of the metal badge. In 1940 the shorter rays of the 6th class were further shortened to produce a less rounded appearance. In my opinion, this example is a pre 1940 manufactured 6th class, as I cannot detect any gilding remaining on the rays, or arms of the badge. Nice silver patina finish, no enamel damage, minor soiling to the surface of the ribbon.