$3,885.00
Condition: Excellent++ / Near Mint
Maker: RK
Pattern: 25
Base Material: Zinc
In stock
Product Description: A textbook example of the exceptionally rare and highly coveted 25 Engagement General Assault Badge – RK, awarded to German combat personnel for participation in 25 combat actions not qualifying for the Infantry or Panzer Assault Badges. Struck in fine zinc, as is standard for this grade, this piece retains a remarkable degree of its original factory-applied finish. The silvering to the oak leaf wreath remains strong, while the blackening to the central eagle device is largely intact. The numeral “25” inset retains its original black paint in the recesses, adding further depth and contrast.
The reverse is equally pristine, bearing the distinctive stylised “RK” within a circle, denoting manufacture by the firm Rudolf Karneth. The reverse silver finish displays an attractive luster. The hardware is entirely correct for this maker, featuring a crimped-in hinge and catch, with a magnetic banjo-style attachment pin that remains fully functional. Rivets are tight and properly executed, with no evidence of tampering or repair.
This 25 Engagement General Assault Badge – RK is presented in Excellent++ to Near Mint condition, completely untouched, with crisp detail and a pleasing, even age patina. A premium example of this rarely encountered combat award.
We purchased this along with some other items out of Nashville Tennessee from an estate broker. They purchased these items from the family of a Latvian gentleman who immigrated to the United States in the late 1940’s and passed away some years ago. They came across these items while cleaning out his house. The last photos shows the lot as found.
Historical Description: The Numbered General Assault Badge was instituted on June 22, 1943. The instituting of the new grades of the General Assault Badge was in a direct response to the increasing number of soldiers which had continued to tally “combat days” after they had met the initial requirements of the standard version. The different grades created by the German High Command were “25”, “50”, “75”, & “100”. The requirements for the Numbered General Assault Badge were very similar to the standard version except the number of combat days required corresponded to the number of the award. For example, the General Assault Badge with a “25” box would have required the soldier to have 25 combat assaults on 25 different days. Many soldiers in the German Army did not live to see the required “combat days” for the higher grades, most specifically the “75” & “100” grades.
The numbered grades used the same design pattern as the standard version. However, these grades of the General Assault Badge have more enhanced features such as enlarged eagle, enhanced wreath, plus the addition of a number box at the bottom of the wreath to denote grade.
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