Bronze Close Combat Clasp by AGMuK

Product Description: This Bronze Close Combat Clasp by AGMuK is a choice piece, in outstanding, near mint condition. It’s made of fine zinc, and retains nearly all of the original bronze finish. The obverse retains all of the original detail, with a thick coating of gorgeous bronze finish, and just a slight hint of wear to the high points of the design. The reverse is well marked, with the designer of the badge (“Fec. W. E. Peekhaus Berlin”) as well as the maker of this example, indicated with “Ausf. A. G. M. u. K. Gablonz” for Arbeitsgemeinschaft Metall und Kunststoff in Gablonz. The style of the manufacturer marking identifies this badge as the variant known to collectors as “offset K&Z.” This Bronze Close Combat Clasp is an entirely textbook example, with a fluted pin, integral hinge, and round wire catch. The hardware is functional and completely untouched. The backing plate is steel, and retains its original dark finish. It’s neatly held in place with the original crimps. This badge displays exceptionally well, and is a great example of this desirable award.

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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