Fallschirmjäger Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge – GWL

Product Description: This Fallschirmjäger Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge by GWL is a textbook original example, exhibiting all the correct characteristics associated with early wartime production. The striking eagle is crafted from a brass alloy (Tombak) and retains the majority of its original gilded finish, with only minor, honest wear to the high points. The fine detailing of the eagle remains sharp and well-defined, enhancing the overall visual appeal.

The oak and laurel wreath is manufactured from zinc and still retains approximately 95% of its original silvering, showing typical age toning that lends a pleasing depth and authenticity to the piece. Together, the contrasting finishes of the eagle and wreath present a highly attractive, completely original appearance.

The reverse of the badge is properly maker marked behind the eagle with the distinctive, stylized “GWL” stamp of the firm Gebrüder Wegerhoff, Lüdenscheid. The hardware setup is textbook, featuring the correct integral hinge, functional attachment pin, and sheet metal catch, all securely and originally attached. The rivets are the correct deeply sunken style unique to GWL production, further confirming its authenticity.

Overall, this Fallschirmjäger Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge by GWL remains in near mint condition, offering both rarity and superb preservation — a truly outstanding piece for the advanced German badge collector.

Historical Description: The Heer Paratrooper Badge was officially instituted on September 1, 1937. Prior to that time, German Army personnel who had successfully qualified as paratroopers had been awarded the Luftwaffe version of this badge. The Heer version was very similar to that of the Luftwaffe but incorporated the German Army eagle emblem at the top of the wreath; because the Army eagle already carried a swastika, the swastika was omitted on the central, diving eagle device. German Army paratroopers were awarded this badge at the completion of their training. Because the number of parachutists in the German Army was very small, only limited numbers of these badges were produced. At the time of the badge’s first issue in 1937, just over 170 men were decorated with this award. The earliest Heer paratrooper badges were made of die struck aluminum, with an anodized finish, and bore an early form of the C. E. Juncker manufacturer stamp on the reverse. A slightly later Juncker aluminum version was also produced, using a different die, and usually omitting the manufacturer stamp. Soldiers to whom this badge had been awarded, could also purchase extremely high-quality silver versions of this award, stamped .800 for silver content, and usually with a custom engraving on the reverse that included the recipient’s name. In 1939, the German Army’s airborne troops were transferred to the Luftwaffe, and the badge was discontinued. In April 1943, a new German Army parachutist unit was organized, and on June 1, 1943, the Heer Paratrooper Badge was accordingly re-instituted. These 1943 pattern badges were also struck by C. E. Juncker, using the same dies used for previous production, but like most wartime badges, these were now made from zinc. Because of the very small total number of elite German Army airborne soldiers eligible for this badge from 1937-1945, it was produced in very limited numbers.

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