CEJ Pilot Badge

Product Description: This cased CEJ Pilot Badge is an extremely attractive example of a very desirable early badge, in outstanding condition. It’s an early production, top quality award, made of nickel silver. This is the variant known to collectors as the “J1” type. The wreath is gorgeous and virtually pristine. Nearly all of the original high quality silver electroplated finish on the wreath is intact, with only very minimal age toning, and eye-catching polished highlights. The eagle boasts stunning detail, and all of the original factory applied darkening. The reverse of this CEJ Pilot Badge has the name “Külbel” neatly engraved on the back of the wreath. The style and appearance of the engraving is typical for the era. The back of the eagle is marked with the desirable early “CEJ” maker mark for Juncker. The hardware is what one expects to see on a Juncker badge, and is intact and functional, with no repairs. This incredible badge is complete with a beautiful case. This case is the correct early high quality J1 type. The exterior of the case retains virtually all of the original surface, with only light wear and some small, scattered marks. The designation “Flugzeugführerabz.” is imprinted on the lid. The inside features a deluxe, high quality lining and insert, that displays the badge beautifully. This is an absolutely choice set, that would be extremely difficult to upgrade. The overall condition rates as near mint.

Historical Description: The Luftwaffe Pilot Badge was instituted by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on August 12, 1935. It was among the earliest badges introduced in the German Wehrmacht and was worn by all qualified pilots in the German Air Force, similar to the “wings” worn by some other armies. The design of the badge featured a large, swooping eagle clutching the German national swastika emblem, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The badge was normally presented in a blue hinged case. It was worn on the upper left uniform pocket, and a cloth version was also authorized for field use. In the nearly ten years from the introduction of this badge, to the end of WWII, the manufacturers of these awards made many changes in the features of the designs. Some companies, like Juncker, Assmann, and Deumer, had early first pattern badges which looked completely different from later pieces by the same manufacturers. Pilot badges were made of aluminum, nickel silver, plated Tombak, and zinc. The eagle was always a separate piece, riveted to the wreath, with different manufacturers using different rivet designs. As the war progressed, and dies wore out, many makers produced badges with subtle changes. All of these changes, over time, opened up a large spectrum of variation collecting for Luftwaffe badge collectors.

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