Original German WWII Luftwaffe Air Gunner and Flight Engineer Badge by Wilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Air Gunner’s and Flight Engineer’s badge (Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordschützen und Bordmechaniker) was a German military decoration awarded to air gunners, mechanics (flight engineers) or aircrew meteorologists who were members of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) after they completed two months training or had taken part in at least five operational flights. If one was wounded during an operational flight, the badge could be awarded earlier. For Luftwaffe members who were air gunners and mechanics (flight engineers) this badge replaced an earlier separate badge which had been introduced back in 1935, but without lightning bolts. Some early issue examples actually had the lightning bolts ground off. The qualifications for the two badges were the same for recipients.

This example is manufactured in the later war silver plated zinc alloy. The obverse of the badge consists of a half oak half laurel wreath with a mobile swas (hook cross) at the base, with an “in flight eagle” superimposed on the badge with empty outstretched talons. This was definitely made as the Air Gunner badge, as the bottom of the talons is crisp. The reverse is plain, with a vertical pin, a barrel hinge, and a wire catch. The back of the eagle is maker marked with W. DEUMER / LÜDENSCHEID, for Wilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid, a famous maker of medals, belt buckles, buttons, and other accoutrements.

Offered in very good condition, with a great aged and tarnished patina. The silvering on the wreath is still well retained, though it is now quite tarnished from age. The blackened finish on the eagle is still fairly well retained, giving it a great look. A lovely example of a hard to find badge by a great maker!