BACKGROUND: The Infantry Assault Badge in silver was introduced on December 20^TH 1939 by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch, for award to all ranks of non-motorized, Infantry and Mountain Infantry units who participated in three different assaults on three different days. The institution order indicated the criteria for award of the badge was to be effective as of January 1^ST 1940. Of Note: Bestowal of the Infantry Assault badge in silver was not extended to motorized infantry personnel so on June 1^ST 1940 von Brauchitsch introduced the Infantry Assault Badge in bronze for award to all ranks of Motorized Infantry units with the same criteria for award as the silver badge.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck alloy construction, partially scoop backed, badge with a silver washed features an embossed, vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with a Wehrmacht style eagle with down-swept wings, clutching a canted swastika in its talons, superimposed to the top center, encompassing a cut-out, bolt action rifle with a fixed bayonet and a sling. The badge retains about 70% of its original, age dulled, silver wash with small spots of wear to the base alloy. The reverse of the rifle, bayonet and sling all have a subtle recess and the reverse of the badge has a crimped, soldered hinge on an unusual shaped base plate, a thin round vertical pin and a soldered catch also on an unusual shaped base plate. Both the hinge and catch are crudely soldered to the reverse and are replacements. The reverse is well marked with the embossed manufacturer’s initials, "R.S.S.". Of Note: The manufacturer’s mark has been attributed to both Richard Simm & Söhne of Gablonz and Richard Sieper & Söhne of Lüdenscheid. The Richard Simm & Söhne firm were an authorized award manufacturer while the Richard Sieper & Söhne firm were an authorized belt buckle manufacturer but his name doesn’t appear on any officially sanctioned list of award manufacturers.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $185.00