Juncker Close Combat Clasp in Gold

Product Description: This Juncker Close Combat Clasp in Gold is a choice, textbook example of this highly sought-after award. Produced in zinc, the obverse retains a portion of its original gold finish, with honest wear and gentle fading revealing the base metal in a few small areas. The details remain exceptionally crisp and are enhanced by an attractive, untouched age patina.

The reverse is flat and correctly marked with the name of the designer, Peekhaus of Berlin, along with the Juncker maker mark—one of the most desirable manufacturers of Close Combat Clasps. The original steel backing plate remains intact and is securely held in place by its original, undisturbed crimps.

The attachment hardware is entirely original and textbook for Juncker production, featuring the correct fluted gold banjo pin with soldered hinge and catch. All components retain good finish and show no condition issues.

Overall, this Juncker Close Combat Clasp in Gold has excellent eye appeal and displays exceptionally well. The condition rates as excellent for this scarce and 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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