Original German WWII Bronze Grade Infantry Assault Badge by Richard Simm & Sohne of Gablonz Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. Called in German a Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze, this genuine badge is constructed of bronzed zinc. Over time, the bronze wears and flakes off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is zinc. This example is missing most of the bronzing on the front and rear, however it can still be seen in the recesses of the badge edge. Also the pinback is brass with some bronzing, which is only used on the bronze version.

The design 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 R.S.S., the initials of the firm Richard Simm & Sohne. The company was based in Gablonz, which today is Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Republic. During WWII it was considered part of the “Sudetenland”, and after the war most of the German population was expelled.

The back also features a vertical pinback, with pressed in brass 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 bronzing remaining, and a lovely patina.

Overall a very nice 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.