Juncker Close Combat Clasp

Product Description: This Juncker Close Combat Clasp is a desirable example of this iconic combat award. It’s made of zinc. The obverse still retains most of the original high-quality Brennlack finish, with some slight wear that reveals the gray color of the base metal in places. There is a light patina, with some build-up here and there. All of the original detail remains intact. The reverse of this Juncker Close Combat Clasp has a nice, untouched look, with uncleaned patina and nearly full original finish. This clasp is nicely marked, with the name of the designer, Peekhaus in Berlin, as well as the desirable maker mark of Juncker. The hardware is textbook for this sought-after maker, and is all original, with no repairs and a functional banjo pin. The original steel back plate is intact, with the crimps possibly having been tightened at some point. This badge has a lot going for it, with outstanding finish, and is from a desirable maker. The condition rates as excellent.

Historical Description: The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was instituted on November 25, 1942, to recognize the feats of German soldiers in close quarters combat. Units with soldiers who survived hand-to-hand fights with the enemy and other extremely close-range combat actions would keep track of the dates and places of each of these battles, and soldiers who managed to make it through many of these fights became eligible for this award. Because only front-line troops with direct combat experience could earn this clasp, it was a regarded by the soldiers as a very prestigious award. The Close Combat Clasp was awarded in three grades: Bronze, for 15 close combat days; Silver, for 25 close combat days, and Gold, for 50 or more days of close combat. Hitler reserved the right to personally award the Gold Close Combat Clasp, which was widely regarded as more prestigious than even the Knight’s Cross. The total amount of these clasps awarded, in all grades, was fewer than 50,000.

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