{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-close-combat-clasp-in-silver-by-friedrich-linden-of-ludenscheid-1","title":"Original German WWII Close Combat Clasp in Silver by Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Known in German as a \u003cem\u003eNahkampfspange\u003c\/em\u003e (Melee Clasp) in Silber, this fine award is constructed of silvered slightly vaulted zinc. The front side has a \u003cem\u003eReichsadler\u003c\/em\u003e (national eagle) over a crossed bayonet and hand grenade in the centerpiece. There are sun rays emanating from the center of the left and right sides, with with four oak leaves and two acorns on each side. The reverse is plain, with a square magnetic backing plate with horizontal brass tapered pin back, with a barrel hinge and a round wire catch on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back is marked with badge designer \u003cb\u003eFEC. W. E. \/ PEEKHAUS \/ BERLIN.\u003c\/b\u003e on the left, as usually seen on these awards. \"FEC\" is short for \"FECIT\", Latin for \"He Made it\", indicating Peekhaus designed the badge. The right side is maker marked with \u003cstrong\u003eF L L\u003c\/strong\u003e in circles, the logo of \u003cem\u003eFriedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid,\u003c\/em\u003e a city with a large clothing accessories industry. The clasp measures 3.85 inches (97.85 mm) W x 1.04 inches (26.50 mm) H.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge is offered in overall very good condition, and unlike almost all that we have see, it still has strong silvering on both the front and back! There is some wear around the edges as well as oxidation, but it is still clearly silver, and really looks great! The back of the steel insert is a golden color, as the original bluing has worn partially away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great example with strong silvering, ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Close Combat Clasp (German: Nahkampfspange) is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand-to-hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket. The clasp was die-cast and made of either tombac or later zinc, with a slightly curved centerpiece consisting of the national emblem surmounting a crossed bayonet and hand grenade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe award was bestowed in three classes: Bronze for 15 close combat battles; Silver for 25 battles; and Gold for 50+ battles. The Gold Close Combat Clasp was often regarded in higher esteem than the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by the German infantry. Of the roughly 18–20 million soldiers of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, 36,400 received the Bronze Class, 9,500 the Silver Class and 631 the Gold Class.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44883278430277,"sku":"ONSV26GCS075","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GCS075__01.jpg?v=1776366472","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-close-combat-clasp-in-silver-by-friedrich-linden-of-ludenscheid-1","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}