Infantry Assault Badge in Silver IAB

Product Description: A genuine Infantry Assault Badge in Silver IAB in excellent condition. Struck in zinc, the badge displays the classic oval oak leaf wreath encircling a K98 rifle with fixed bayonet, surmounted by the Wehrmacht eagle and swastika emblem.

This Infantry Assault Badge retains much of the original silver finish, exhibiting pleasing and even wear with a soft, contrasting patina across the raised and recessed elements. The reverse is well-preserved, featuring the correct crimped in hinge and  catch system. Round wire pin and catch remain in good functioning order.  Badge rates as excellent condition.

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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