Luftwaffe Transport Clasp in Silver

Product Description: Instituted on 19 November 1941, the Luftwaffe Transport and Glider Clasp in Silver was awarded for the completion of 60 operational flights, recognizing the demanding and often perilous service of transport and glider crews.

This example displays the classic full-back construction to the reverse, centered by a prominent rivet and fitted with a soldered-on steel round-wire catch, soldered steel sheet-metal hinge, and steel pin. All hardware remains complete, secure, and fully functional, precisely as encountered on period-produced pieces. The reverse reveals the tombak base metal beneath the finish, consistent with manufacture.

The obverse retains nearly all of its original silvered finish, presenting with strong overall detail and an attractive, even age patina. Notably, there are visible stress lines extending from approximately the 2 o’clock to the 8 o’clock positions along the wreath, appearing consistent with a manufacturing flaw rather than later damage.

A solid and correctly constructed example of this highly desirable Luftwaffe operational award, offered in excellent condition overall.

Historical Description: To acknowledge and recognize the achievements of Luftwaffe flight personnel who had taken part in missions against the enemy, the Luftwaffe in 1941 introduced a series of flight clasps, to be worn as awards on the uniform. The German term for this clasp was “Frontflugspange,” literally “Front Flight Clasp”; these are known to collectors as Flight Bars, Operational Flying Clasps or Squadron Clasps. The clasps took the form of a central emblem, set in a wreath of laurel leaves, and flanked on both sides by sprigs of oak leaves. On most designs, the German national swastika emblem was set at the bottom of the laurel wreath. The central emblem varied depending on the type of missions for which the clasp was awarded. An upward-pointed winged arrow was for Short Range Day Fighters, while a downward pointing winged arrow was for Long Range Day Fighters and Air to Ground Support (support crews later had their own crossed swords emblem). Bomber crews had a winged bomb emblem, a Luftwaffe eagle was chosen to represent Transport and Glider Squadrons, and an eagle head was worn by Reconnaissance, Air-Sea Rescue and Meteorological Squadrons. The clasps were produced in various grades to indicate the number of missions flown- Bronze for 20 flights, Silver for 60 flights and Gold for 100 flights. For personnel who surpassed the number of missions required for the Gold clasp, small pendants were produced, starting in 1942, to recognize the greater and greater numbers of missions being flown. There was a “star” pendant, that was given for certain numbers of flights beyond 100 missions (depending on the type of clasp, between 250 and 500 missions were required to earn the star). There were also numbered pendants, beginning with 200 missions, and increasing in increments of 100. As with all Third Reich military awards, Luftwaffe flight clasps are highly sought-after collectibles today.

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