Original German WWII Luftwaffe Silver Grade Front Flying Clasp for Reconnaissance Pilots with Box Lid Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a well patinated “battlefield pickup” condition German WWII Luftwaffe Front Flying Clasp in Silver Grade, as issued to Reconnaissance pilots who had flown at least 60 missions. Officially this version of the award is termed the Frontflugspange für Aufklärer in Silber in German. It shows overall oxidation and loss of the origianl finish, with just enough left that we can tell that it is the silver grade of the award. The rear pin is still present and functional, but oxidized.

This example comes with a piece of the original case, in this case the lid, which is labeled with the type of award it is:

Frontflugspange
für Aufklärer
ſilber

It definitely shows wear, and matches the level of patination on the clasp.

A well patinated service used example of a hard to find military decoration!

The Front Flying Clasp (Frontflugspange) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to aircrew and certain other Luftwaffe personnel in recognition of the number of operational flights flown. It was instituted by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on 30 January 1941. It was awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with an upgrade to include diamonds possible. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions obtained in a given type of aircraft. Front Flying Clasps were issued for missions completed in the following Luftwaffe aircraft:

– Day Fighters
– Night Fighters
– Long Range Night Fighters
– Heavy Fighters
– Air to Ground Support Fighters
– Bombers
– Reconnaissance
– Transport and Glider

All badges are formed of a central device (usually blackened) encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves set between two stylized wings of oak leaves with a swas located at the base of the wreath. Clasps measure approximately 7.5 cm (3 in) by 2.5 cm (1 in). The various designs of the central device was determined from the type of aircraft flown. The clasp pennant was instituted as additional recognition for the increased number of operational missions/flights, which grew as the war continued.

Criteria for qualification:
Bronze – 20 flown missions
Silver – 60 flown missions
Gold – 110 flown missions

Pennant to the Gold Front Flying Clasp

Day Fighters and Transport Units: 500 missions
Air to Ground Support Fighters: 400 missions
Bombers, Air Sea Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance: 300 missions
Reconnaissance and Night Fighters: 250 missions