J1 Radio Operator Air Gunner Badge

Product Description: This J1 Radio Operator Air Gunner Badge is an early and rare pattern badge, by an extremely desirable maker. It’s made of a brass alloy (Tombak) typically used on these early, top-quality examples. The central eagle is finely detailed, showing only slight wear, and retaining loads of the original dark burnished finish. The silver electroplated wreath retains nearly all of the original finish, with only extremely slight wear to the high points on the front, and with a very light patina from age. The reverse of this J1 Radio Operator Air Gunner Badge retains nearly all of the original finish. The hardware setup is textbook, with the typical Juncker round wire pin and barrel hinge. The reverse of the eagle is neatly stamped “C. E. Juncker Berlin S.W.” All of the hardware including the rivets for the eagle are all-original, with no signs of repair. The overall condition is excellent. This is an extremely desirable and early badge, that is especially rare in this condition.

Historical Description:

The Luftwaffe Radio Operators Badge (Bordfunkerabzeichen) was instituted by the head of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering, in 1935. It featured a German eagle clutching two lightning bolts, surrounded by a wreath with the German swastika at the bottom. The badge was awarded to all Luftwaffe radio operators at the conclusion of their training, upon issue of a certificate from a flight school authorizing them to serve as radio operators. In this sense, it was a trade badge of trained radio operators, rather than being an individual award for military achievement, though it could also be issued prior to the conclusion of training by personnel who flew operational missions. With the annexation of Austria, the Luftwaffe Radio Operators Badge was also issued to Austrian radio operators taken into the German armed forces.

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers free evaluations and the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates.

Click the link here to learn more: Free Evaluation or Inquiries

or feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com