Cased Juncker Pilot Badge – J3

Product Description: This Cased Juncker Pilot Badge is a very nice and desirable set, in outstanding condition. The badge is a textbook Juncker produced example, of the pattern known to collectors as the “J3” type. It’s made of nickel silver, a top quality material. The finish on this badge is gorgeous. The wreath maintains most of the original silver electroplating, with attractive, mild age toning and nice shine. The eagle retains nearly all of the original dark finish, with the shine of the base metal peeking through at high points and edges. It has a really appealing, detailed look. The reverse of this badge is maker marked behind the eagle with “C. E. Juncker Berlin S.W.” The rivets are tight, and the functional hardware is textbook for this maker, with no signs of repair. This lovely badge is housed in a correct mid-war style case. The case shows no damage, with bold color and all of the original surface present to the exterior. The designation “Flugzeugführerabz.” (Pilot Badge) is embossed on the lid in gold. The hinge and push button function with no issues. Inside, the badge is beautifully displayed on a mid grade plush lined insert. The flock lined lid and hinge cover are intact, with no issues; the case interior is clean and pristine throughout. This Cased Juncker Pilot Badge is a choice example of this sought-after award, that would be very hard to upgrade. The overall condition rates as near mint.

Historical Description: The Luftwaffe Pilot Badge was instituted by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on August 12, 1935. It was among the earliest badges introduced in the German Wehrmacht and was worn by all qualified pilots in the German Air Force, similar to the “wings” worn by some other armies. The design of the badge featured a large, swooping eagle clutching the German national swastika emblem, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The badge was normally presented in a blue hinged case. It was worn on the upper left uniform pocket, and a cloth version was also authorized for field use. In the nearly ten years from the introduction of this badge, to the end of WWII, the manufacturers of these awards made many changes in the features of the designs. Some companies, like Juncker, Assmann, and Deumer, had early first pattern badges which looked completely different from later pieces by the same manufacturers. Pilot badges were made of aluminum, nickel silver, plated Tombak, and zinc. The eagle was always a separate piece, riveted to the wreath, with different manufacturers using different rivet designs. As the war progressed, and dies wore out, many makers produced badges with subtle changes. All of these changes, over time, opened up a large spectrum of variation collecting for Luftwaffe badge collectors.

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