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 can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is zinc. This example is almost completely devoid of the original bronzing, however it has a brass pin, and there are traces of bronze at the bases of the catch and hinge, so we believe this is a 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 S. H. u. Co. / 41, for 1941 manufacture by Sohni Heubach & Co. of Oberstein, Germany.
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 lovely worn zinc 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.