$485.00
Condition: Excellent
Base Material: Zinc
In stock
Product Description: This 50 Engagement General Assault Badge Stickpin is an ultra rare version of this award. It measures 2-1/2″ in length overall, with a miniature version of the very desirable 50 engagement General Assault Badge, for wear on civilian clothes. The miniature badge is made of zinc, and shows nice detail. The finish is great on the obverse, with nearly all of the original silvering to the wreath, and virtually pristine darkening to the central eagle, bayonet and grenade emblem. The black enamel paint around the “50” at the bottom of the wreath is all there. The reverse of the badge also shows excellent original silvering, with some slight wear to the edges. The textbook knurled pin is completely intact, and is neatly soldered to the badge with a small plate. There are no repairs, and there is no damage to note. This 50 Engagement General Assault Badge Stickpin would likely be impossible to upgrade; it’s likely that relatively few of these pieces were ever made. The condition rates as excellent.
Historical Description: The German General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940. When the first Heer (Army) combat badges were instituted they only recognized those in the Infantry and Panzer (Tank) units. This left the supporting elements of the German Army without an award to recognize their combat achievements. Initially the General Assault Badge was intended for Combat Engineer units, but later this was expanded to include other units such as Panzerjäger’s (Tank Hunters), Cavalry Units, down to Medical Personnel who assisted the Infantry or Panzers during combat engagements. Eligibility also continued to grow to include members of the Luftwaffe (Air Force), Kreigsmarine (Navy), Waffen-SS, and Combat Police units.
The requirements for the General Assault Badge were the same as that of the Infantry Assault Badge and the Panzer Assault Badge. The soldier must have taken part in three combat assaults on three separate days. Three assaults in one day would only count as one assault. Before the institution of the Tank Destruction Strip, awarded to soldiers who destroyed a tank by means of explosives or mine, the single-handed destruction of an enemy tank would also earn the soldier the General Assault Badge.
The Standard General Assault Badge consists of an Oakleaves wreath surrounding a large National Eagle grasping the swastika with crossed bayonet and stick grenade underneath. The General Assault Badge can be found in several different base metals such as Brass, Copper Coated Aluminum, Copper Coated Zinc, and Zinc. The use of the different types of base metal was directly impacted by the war as it progressed. Shortages forced manufacturers to switch from quality base metals like brass to lower quality base metals like zinc.
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