Original German WWII Bronze Grade Infantry Assault Badge – Unmarked Solid Back Version Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Called in German a Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze, this genuine badge is constructed of bronze washed zinc. Over time, the silvering can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is zinc. Like most examples of the bronze grade type we see, much of the original bronze wash is missing from the front, and it is retained better on the rear. However it is still clearly bronze, and we often see examples completely devoid of bronzing on the front.

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 (hook cross), 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 also features a vertical pinback, with a soldered on barrel hinge and catch. This example is overall in very good condition, with some of the bronzing remaining, and it has 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.

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.