Pilot Observer Badge – FLL

Product Description: This Pilot Observer Badge is a lovely example of a very desirable Luftwaffe badge. Pilot Observer badges are tough to find on the market, as there are more collectors than there are badges. This one is choice. It’s a midwar badge, made of fine zinc. Typically, these zinc pieces are devoid of any finish. This one, though, retains outstanding original gold and silver wash. The original silvering on the eagle is extremely bright, with eye-catching luster. The gold finish on the front of the wreath is nearly all there, with toning from age. There is no little or no perceptible wear, and full original detail is present. The reverse of this Pilot Observer Badge is textbook, with no sign of repair. Most of the finish has faded on the reverse of the wreath. There is no maker marking, but this variant is known to have been made by the firm “FLL” (Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid). The hardware is typical for this variant, with flattened rivets that have never been messed with. The sheet metal hinge and catch and round wire pin are functional and retain original finish. The condition of this award is excellent. This is a tough badge to find- especially in this condition.

Historical Description: The Luftwaffe Combined Pilot Observer Badge was instituted by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on January 19, 1935. It was among the earliest badges introduced in the German Wehrmacht and was worn by all qualified pilots in the German Air Force, similar to the “wings” worn by some other armies. The design of the badge featured a large, silver swooping eagle clutching the German national swastika emblem, surrounded by a golden wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The badge was normally presented in a blue hinged case. It was worn on the upper left uniform pocket, and a cloth version was also authorized for field use. In the nearly ten years from the introduction of this badge, to the end of WWII, the manufacturers of these awards made many changes in the features of the designs. Some companies, like Juncker, Assmann, and Deumer, had early first pattern badges which looked completely different from later pieces by the same manufacturers. Pilot Observer badges were made of aluminum, nickel silver, plated Tombak, and later on in zinc. The eagle was always a separate piece, riveted to the wreath, with different manufacturers using different rivet designs. As the war progressed, and dies wore out, many makers produced badges with subtle changes. All of these changes over time open up a large spectrum of variation collecting for Luftwaffe badge collectors.

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