Original German WWII Bronze Grade Infantry Assault Badge by Josef Feix & Söhne of Gablonz Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. Called in German the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze, this genuine badge is constructed of bronzed die-struck zinc. Over time, the bronze wash can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is grayish. This is exactly what has happened with this example, which shows scattered areas on the front that still retain the wash, and light overall bronzing on the back. We very rarely get verified examples of the Bronze grade in, as often the wash is completely gone.

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 of the award is maker marked with JFS in a Rectangle, the logo of Josef Feix & Söhne of Gablonz. This city was part of the so-called “Sudetenland” during WWII. Today it is known as Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Rebublic.

The back also features a vertical pinback, with pressed in 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 a good amount of bronze wash remaining, and a lovely patina.

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

The Infantry Assault Badge (German: 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, and mechanized or motorized infantry were not eligible for the original badge. A bronze variant of the Infantry Assault Badge was created in June 1940, authorized for motorized and mechanized infantry units, using similar requirements for award as the original silver variant.