Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWII Luftwaffe Fallschirmschützenabzeichen, or Paratrooper Badge, manufactured by the well-known Berlin firm C.E. Juncker. The badge is of high-quality two-piece construction, consisting of a gilt Tombak/brass eagle separately applied to a nickel-silver wreath. The eagle is secured to the wreath by two rivets visible on the reverse. The reverse is maker marked C.E. JUNCKER / BERLIN S.W. and retains its vertical needle pin, barrel hinge, and round-wire catch.

The badge remains in incredible condition, especially considering its age, with excellent preservation of the original finishes and remarkably sharp detail throughout. The eagle retains a substantial amount of its original gilt finish, with the feathering, head, talons, and central emblem all remaining crisp and strongly defined. Only very light rubbing is visible on some of the highest points. The wreath has developed an attractive dark gray patina, with brighter silver-toned highlights still visible along portions of the raised oak and laurel leaves and outer edges. The reverse is likewise extremely well preserved, showing only oxidation and discoloration. Both attachment rivets remain firmly in place, and the original-style barrel hinge, long needle pin, and round-wire catch are all complete and intact. No major damage or obvious repairs are visible, making this an exceptionally well-preserved example.

The badge itself is constructed in the characteristic two-piece arrangement. The gilt diving eagle is secured to the wreath by two small rivets visible from the reverse. On the obverse, the wreath consists of laurel leaves on the viewer's left and oak leaves on the viewer's right, joined by the ribbed binding at the bottom. The sharply modeled eagle retains excellent feather detail through the wings, body, and head, with the swas. held prominently in its talons. Period Juncker badges are documented with this general combination of riveted construction, barrel-type hinge, round-wire catch, and maker marking on the reverse of the eagle.

The Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe was instituted on November 5, 1936, during the formative period of Germany's military airborne arm. It was fundamentally a qualification badge rather than a campaign or valor decoration, identifying personnel who had completed the prescribed parachutist training. The original qualification required successful completion of the training course together with six qualifying parachute jumps.

The introduction of the badge closely followed the creation of organized German parachute forces during 1936. Parachute training was centered at Stendal, where the early courses helped establish the personnel and training system from which the wartime Fallschirmjäger force developed. The Bundesarchiv identifies the Fallschirmjäger as one of the Luftwaffe's principal ground-combat arms, alongside other Luftwaffe infantry and specialized formations.

Recipients originally had to maintain their parachuting proficiency in order to retain authorization to wear the badge, with the qualification subject to periodic review. Regulations and eligibility evolved during the war as the Fallschirmjäger arm expanded and increasing numbers of specialists and support personnel served within airborne formations. The badge was normally worn as a pin-back qualification badge on the left breast of the uniform, where its contrasting gilt eagle and darkened silver wreath made it immediately recognizable.