$2,350.00
Condition: Excellent +
Maker: CE Juncker
Base Material: Tombak
In stock
Product Description: This early Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge by C.E. Juncker is an exceptional and highly sought-after example of one of the most iconic and prestigious awards of the German armed forces during World War II. This badge is a textbook early-war production made entirely of Tombak, a premium brass alloy favored for its superior finish and durability—used only in the earliest and most desirable versions before the transition to more economical materials later in the war.
The two-piece construction is outstanding, with the silvered wreath exhibiting a rich, dark, untouched patina developed over decades, perfectly framing the strikingly detailed, gilded Fallschirmjäger eagle. The gilding remains vibrant, with subtle wear only on the highest points, while deeper recesses retain rich built-up toning, giving the eagle a bold and lifelike appearance. The detailing throughout—from the finely feathered wings to the sharp talons—is razor crisp, exactly what you expect from an early Juncker strike.
The reverse of this badge is just as impressive. It bears the early maker mark “C.E. Juncker, Berlin SW” behind the eagle, the classic signature of this prestigious Berlin firm. The hardware is 100% textbook for an early Juncker: a robust barrel hinge, original round wire pin, and distinctive round catch—none of which have been tampered with or repaired. The rivets are tight, undisturbed, and show that the eagle has never been removed or reattached, further confirming the badge’s untouched originality.
Early Tombak Paratrooper Badges by Juncker are exceedingly rare, especially in this level of preservation. Most surviving examples show moderate wear due to active field use by Fallschirmjäger personnel. This badge, by contrast, has clearly been cherished and preserved, remaining in truly outstanding, investment-grade condition. With its combination of early manufacture, top-tier construction, and extraordinary eye appeal, this is without question a premier piece for the advanced Luftwaffe or Fallschirmjäger collector—an elite badge with genuine historical and aesthetic significance.
Historical Description: The German Paratrooper Badge (Fallschirmjäger Abzeichen) was first instituted on the 5th of November 1936, by order of Hermann Göring. It was originally awarded to Luftwaffe personnel after the completion of their training and the required six jumps. On September 1, 1937 the Heer (Army) version of the badge was instituted to recognize members of the Heer who had successfully qualified. However, by 1939 the Luftwaffe gained full control of all trained paratroopers and the small number of Heer Paratroopers were then absorbed into the ranks of the Luftwaffe.
The design of the badge features a diving eagle surrounded by a wreath. With this guideline in place, initially the Heer and Luftwaffe each had their own respective version of the Fallshirmjager Badge to call their own. The Luftwaffe’s version featured a gilded diving eagle clutching a swastika which was surrounded by a darkened wreath of laurel and oak leaves. (Please note that a specific maker exists which utilized a silvered wreath instead of the typical darkened wreath.) The earliest examples of the Luftwaffe Fallshirmjager badge were made of superior metals such as brass and nickel silver. As the war progressed, and the need to save precious metals became more of an obstacle, aluminum and zinc were substituted as replacements. The Heer Fallshirmjager Badge design was a silvered diving eagle surrounded by a wreath of gilded oak leaves with a national “Hoheitszeichen” positioned at the top of the wreath. The first Heer Paratrooper Badges were constructed of delicate aluminum, whose hardware was very prone to breaking. Early deluxe versions of the badge can be found made of “800” silver, such examples are extremely rare. The only known maker of the early Heer Paratrooper Badges is C.E. Juncker. The Heer Paratrooper Badge was discontinued in 1939 after the absorption of the Heer Fallshirmjager into the Luftwaffe, However, the badge was reinstituted in 1943 for members of the Heer who previously qualified and also for members of the Waffen-SS who qualified. These later badges were manufactured strictly in zinc. The only known manufacturers of the later Heer Paratrooper Badge is the firms of C.E. Juncker and Friedrich Linden, Ludenscheid (FLL). Cloth versions of both types of paratrooper badges exist in various forms of embroidery and bullion.
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