Original German WWII Framed Award and Armband Grouping – 7 Awards and 2 Armbands Original Items

Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is a fantastic matted and framed German WWII Bring Back Set, consisting of 7 awards and two Armbands, mounted securely inside the frame. The frame measures approximately 26″H x 16 1/2″W 1 1/4″, and is in great shape. All of the contents also appear to be in great shape, and are now well protected from the elements.

This grouping consists of one of each of the following German WWII items:

– Mid-War NSDAP Party Machine Embroidered Armband: This standard armband was worn by party members, and was also worn by many service members and other personnel during the war. It is definitely one of the rarer types, with a red background and an embroidered black Swas BeVo machine woven onto a white cloth circle, which is stitched to the band. Looks to be in very good condition.

– Western Wall / Siegfried Line Metal with Ribbon: The West Wall Medal (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen) was a decoration of NSDAP Germany. It was instituted on 2 August 1939 and was given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany’s western borders, known as the Westwall or, in English, the Siegfried Line, between 15 June 1938 to 31 March 1939. On 13 November 1939 eligibility was extended to include servicemen of the Wehrmacht who served on the Westwall for at least ten weeks. In all 622,064 medals were awarded until 31 January 1941, when awards of the medal ceased. This early version was made of solid bronze. The back has the statement FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS – “For Work to Protect Germany.”

– Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse 1939) with Ribbon. This fine example is in very good condition, though there is definitely some paint loss and oxidation to the central cross pattée. There is no more iconic German military award than the Iron Cross. The long history of this order began during the Napoleonic Wars. King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia instituted the “Eisernes Kreuz” (Iron Cross) in March of 1813. The award criteria changed somewhat with time, but generally speaking, Iron Crosses could be awarded for individual acts of bravery, or for leadership achievements on the battlefield.

– War Merit Cross 2nd Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II or KvK II) with Swords (For Combat). It is attached to the correct ribbon, and the medal itself has a lovely aged patina. This was a decoration of NSDAP Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to military personnel and civilians alike. By the end of the war it was issued in four degrees, and had a related civil decoration. It was created by Adolf AH in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars.

– Black Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen), awarded for 1 – 2 wounds: 1939 pattern, die stamped, magnetic sheet metal construction, hollow backed badge with a black wash. The badge is in the form of an embossed, vertically oval, laurel leaf wreath encompassing an embossed profile of an M35 pattern helmet with a high relief, canted, swas to the center, superimposed over crossed swords on a pebbled base field. The reverse of the badge is a mirror image of the obverse and has a crimped, soldered hinge, a thin, round, vertical pin and catch all intact.

– Silver Grade Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber). This is in very good condition, with a lovely dark oxidized patina. This was 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

– Silver Grade Panzer Assault Tank Badge (Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber). In very good condition, still showing much of the original silvered wash. This was a World War II German military decoration awarded troops in armored divisions. The Panzer Badge was introduced on 20 December 1939, in order to recognize the achievements of Panzer personnel who took part in armored assaults. It was designed by the Berlin firm of Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus, and was instituted by order of Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch.

– Silver Grade General Assault Badge (Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen in Silber). In very good condition, still showing much of the original silvered wash. This was a military decoration awarded during World War II to personnel of the German Army, Waffen-SS and Ordnungspolizei (order police) who supported an infantry attack but were not part of specific infantry units and therefore did not qualify for the Infantry Assault Badge. It was instituted by General Walther von Brauchitsch on 1 June 1940.

– HJ National Youth Organization Member Armband with Embroidered Insignia. The band is red with a white center stripe that is woven directly into it. In the center is an applied HJ diamond with a machine embroidered swas (hook cross). It is in good lightly used condition, with light overall age toning and staining.

A great framed set, ready to hang on the wall!