Original German WWII Bronze Grade Infantry Assault Badge by Walter & Henlein of Gablonz Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. Called in German a Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze, this genuine badge is constructed of bronzed die-struck zinc. Over time, the plating can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is grayish. This example however still has almost all of the original bronze wash, something we rarely see. There is just a bit of oxidation and wear, making this one of the best examples of a bronze badge that we have seen!

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 back of the badge is marked W.H. for maker Walter Henlein of Gablonz, 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 fully functional vertical pinback, with pressed in barrel hinge and catch, distinctive for this maker. It measures approximately 48 mm (w) x 63 mm (h) with a weight of 35 grams. This example is overall in excellent condition, with lots of bronze wash remaining.

Overall a great 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.

The bronze class was instituted on 1 June 1940. It was awarded to motorized / Mechanized Infantry troops according to the same criteria as the original version, which then became the “silver” grade.