Condition: Excellent
Maker: FLL
Sold
Product Description: This Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze is a desirable, maker marked piece. It’s made of zinc, the most common material used for these wartime combat badges. The obverse still retains strong traces of the original bronze finish, with some fading as is typical with these zinc pieces. The zinc shows aging to the surface as well as slight wear to the high points of the design. The reverse of this badge is flat and smooth. It’s maker marked behind the swastika with the stylized “FLL” maker mark of the firm of Friedrich Linden, in Lüdenscheid. The hinge and catch are soldered in place and retain original bronze finish. The round wire attachment pin is functional. This is a nice, representative example of a Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze. The condition rates as excellent.
Historical Description: The Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was instituted on December 20, 1939, by German Army commander Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. The design of the badge featured the iconic K98 rifle, the standard German Infantry weapon of WWII, surrounded by oak leaves and surmounted by a German Army eagle and swastika emblem. The creation of this design has been attributed to the C.E. Juncker firm in Berlin. The badge could be awarded to members of the Heer and SS-VT (later the Waffen-SS) who participate in ground combat as infantry. To earn this award, soldiers had to participate in three or more assaults, counterattacks, or reconnaissance missions, or to have participated in hand to hand combat in an assault, or to have participated in three days of reestablishing combat positions. These actions had to take place on separate days to meet the award criteria. On June 1, 1940, a Bronze grade of this award was instituted, for motorized infantry. The criteria for the award were the same, only for motorized units. The earliest versions of the Infantry Assault Badge were made of Tombak or other high-quality alloys, with a plated finish. Later production awards were generally zinc alloy, with a bronze or silver wash that often faded with wear and time.
We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.
Epic Artifacts offers the highest prices available for your collectibles.
We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates. https://epicartifacts.com/sell-to-us/
Feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com