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Condition: Near Mint
Maker: Unknown “Four Rivet”
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Product Description: This “Four Rivet” General Assault Badge is an outstanding example, that would be difficult to upgrade. The manufacturer of this variant is still unknown; the “Four Rivet” name is used by collectors to refer to this design. It is struck from zinc. The obverse is pristine, with virtually no wear. It retains all of the original detail, and very nearly all of the original, bright silver finish, which shows great original luster. The reverse of this “Four Rivet” General Assault Badge is a semi-hollow type, with an uncleaned patina and some dust in the recesses. There is no manufacturer marking, which is standard for this variant. The distinctive four rivets that retain the crescent-shaped hinge and catch plates are all intact. The block hinge, round wire pin and catch work flawlessly, and there are no repairs, no damage of any kind. This badge is a gem that rates as near mint. It’s hard to find these this nice.
Historical Description: The German General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940. When the first Heer (Army) combat badges were instituted they only recognized those in the Infantry and Panzer (Tank) units. This left the supporting elements of the German Army without an award to recognize their combat achievements. Initially the General Assault Badge was intended for Combat Engineer units, but later this was expanded to include other units such as Panzerjäger’s (Tank Hunters), Cavalry Units, down to Medical Personnel who assisted the Infantry or Panzers during combat engagements. Eligibility also continued to grow to include members of the Luftwaffe (Air Force), Kreigsmarine (Navy), Waffen-SS, and Combat Police units.
The requirements for the General Assault Badge were the same as that of the Infantry Assault Badge and the Panzer Assault Badge. The soldier must have taken part in three combat assaults on three separate days. Three assaults in one day would only count as one assault. Before the institution of the Tank Destruction Strip, awarded to soldiers who destroyed a tank by means of explosives or mine, the single-handed destruction of an enemy tank would also earn the soldier the General Assault Badge.
The Standard General Assault Badge consists of an Oakleaves wreath surrounding a large National Eagle grasping the swastika with crossed bayonet and stick grenade underneath. The General Assault Badge can be found in several different base metals such as Brass, Copper Coated Aluminum, Copper Coated Zinc, and Zinc. The use of the different types of base metal was directly impacted by the war as it progressed. Shortages forced manufacturers to switch from quality base metals like brass to lower quality base metals like zinc.
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