$595.00
Condition: Excellent+
Base Material: Tombak
Maker: Otto Schickle
In stock
Product Description: This is a beautiful and highly desirable Tombak Heer General Assault Badge , manufactured by the firm of Otto Schickle of Pforzheim. Struck from a Tombak (brass) base metal, this early example exhibits high-quality silver electroplating, with hand-polished highlights that bring out the fine detail of the design.
The obverse shows only light, honest wear to the high relief areas, with much of the original silver finish remaining intact, creating a wonderful contrast against the darker, naturally aged patina. The hollow reverse of the badge displays a deep, even toning consistent with its early wartime production, further enhancing its authenticity and visual appeal.
The reverse hardware is textbook Otto Schickle style, featuring the correct setup with all components originally attached and showing no signs of repair or alteration. The pin remains fully functional, and the hardware configuration is precisely what collectors expect from this desirable maker.
Tombak Heer General Assault Badge, particularly by Otto Schickle, are becoming increasingly difficult to find on today’s market, especially in this level of preservation. This is a superb, original example that would make an outstanding addition to any advanced collection of early German combat awards in excellent plus condition.
Historical Description: The German General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940. When the first Heer (Army) combat badges were instituted they only recognized those in the Infantry and Panzer (Tank) units. This left the supporting elements of the German Army without an award to recognize their combat achievements. Initially the General Assault Badge was intended for Combat Engineer units, but later this was expanded to include other units such as Panzerjäger’s (Tank Hunters), Cavalry Units, down to Medical Personnel who assisted the Infantry or Panzers during combat engagements. Eligibility also continued to grow to include members of the Luftwaffe (Air Force), Kreigsmarine (Navy), Waffen-SS, and Combat Police units.
The requirements for the General Assault Badge were the same as that of the Infantry Assault Badge and the Panzer Assault Badge. The soldier must have taken part in three combat assaults on three separate days. Three assaults in one day would only count as one assault. Before the institution of the Tank Destruction Strip, awarded to soldiers who destroyed a tank by means of explosives or mine, the single-handed destruction of an enemy tank would also earn the soldier the General Assault Badge.
The Standard General Assault Badge consists of an Oakleaves wreath surrounding a large National Eagle grasping the swastika with crossed bayonet and stick grenade underneath. The General Assault Badge can be found in several different base metals such as Brass, Copper Coated Aluminum, Copper Coated Zinc, and Zinc. The use of the different types of base metal was directly impacted by the war as it progressed. Shortages forced manufacturers to switch from quality base metals like brass to lower quality base metals like zinc.
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