Original German WWII Infantry Assault Badge Silver Grade by Fritz Zimmermann Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. Called in German an Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber, this genuine badge is constructed of silvered die-struck zinc. Over time, the silvering can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is grayish. This example however still has some of the original silvering on both sides, a real rarity! The front has about 20% present, with some areas of oxidation, while the rear is 25%+. Many have nearly total loss of the silvering.

The design of the badge consists of an oval oak wreath tied together at the base via a ribbon, with a national eagle clutching a mobile swas, with a vertically oriented Karabiner 98k with the bayonet attached to the front of the barrel and the carrying sling hanging from the rifle superimposed on the wreath. The reverse is plain with a vertical needle style pin, a hinge, and a flat wire catch with maker mark FZS under the hinge, which represents manufacture by Fritz Zimmermann of Stuttgart.

The back also features a vertical pinback, with pressed in barrel hinge and catch. It measures approximately 48 mm (w) x 63 mm (h) with a weight of 35 grams. This example is overall in very good condition, with some of silvering remaining, and a lovely lightly worn patina.

Overall a very good example of this type of badge, ready to display!

The Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was a German war badge awarded to Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during the Second World War. This decoration was instituted on 20 December 1939 by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in infantry assaults, with light infantry weapons, on at least three separate days of battle in the front line on or after 1 January 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting, it could also apply. Award of the Infantry Assault Badge was authorized at regimental command level.