GWL Infantry Assault Badge

Product Description: This GWL Infantry Assault Badge in Silver is an attractive and desirable maker-marked example. It is struck from fine zinc. The obverse shows slight age and wear, with a pleasant, lightly worn appearance. The original silver finish has faded, as is typical for these zinc pieces by this maker, but strong traces remain. Lots of strong original detail remains present on this badge. The reverse is marked with the stylized initials “GWL” in a circle, indicating manufacture by the firm of Gebrüder Wegerhoff, in Lüdenscheid. The hardware setup is textbook for this maker, with an integrally cast hinge and catch. The original round wire attachment pin is intact, and functional, and is perfectly straight, tapering to a point at the end. The faded finish on the reverse matches the front. This GWL Infantry Assault Badge in Silver is a choice example, by a less common maker of these. The condition rates as excellent.

Historical Description: The Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was instituted on December 20, 1939, by German Army commander Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. The design of the badge featured the iconic K98 rifle, the standard German Infantry weapon of WWII, surrounded by oak leaves and surmounted by a German Army eagle and swastika emblem. The creation of this design has been attributed to the C.E. Juncker firm in Berlin. The badge could be awarded to members of the Heer and SS-VT (later the Waffen-SS) who participate in ground combat as infantry. To earn this award, soldiers had to participate in three or more assaults, counterattacks, or reconnaissance missions, or to have participated in hand to hand combat in an assault, or to have participated in three days of reestablishing combat positions. These actions had to take place on separate days to meet the award criteria. On June 1, 1940, a Bronze grade of this award was instituted, for motorized infantry. The criteria for the award were the same, only for motorized units. The earliest versions of the Infantry Assault Badge were made of Tombak or other high-quality alloys, with a plated finish. Later production awards were generally zinc alloy, with a bronze or silver wash that often faded with wear and time.

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