Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting German WWII Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen, or General Assault Badge, featuring the unusual solid CupAl construction associated with an unidentified wartime manufacturer.

CupAl is a composite material consisting essentially of an aluminum core faced with a bonded layer of copper. It provided some of the working characteristics of a copper alloy while using considerably less copper and remaining much lighter than a comparable solid Tombak badge. In this example, wear to the original silvered finish has exposed the distinctive reddish copper layer across many of the raised portions of the design. This combination of solid construction, low weight, and visible copper-colored surface beneath the silvering is consistent with the uncommon solid CupAl General Assault Badge variety generally identified in collector references as Unknown Maker #7. The actual manufacturer remains unidentified.

The obverse displays the classic General Assault Badge design, with an oval oak-leaf wreath surrounding a German Army national eagle clutching a swas. Below the eagle are a crossed bayonet and Model 24-style stick grenade, representing the close-combat character of the award. Despite considerable finish wear, the stamped details remain quite well defined. Areas of surviving silver finish remain throughout the recessed portions of the badge, contrasting attractively with the exposed reddish CupAl surface on the high points.

The reverse is unmarked, with no manufacturer's name or code visible. It retains the characteristic vertical pin arrangement with an upper barrel-style hinge, long round-wire pin, and lower catch. All of the principal attachment components are present. The reverse shows an even, mottled age patina with scattered oxidation and finish loss consistent with the overall condition of the badge.

The General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940, by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch for personnel taking part in assaults who did not qualify for the Infantry Assault Badge or Panzer Assault Badge. It became especially associated with combat engineers, assault artillery, anti-tank troops, and other supporting arms serving under direct combat conditions. The basic award required participation in three qualifying assaults on three separate days. Its familiar design was created by the Berlin firm of Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus.

Of particular collector interest is the construction of this example. Early General Assault Badges were commonly produced in higher-quality non-ferrous metals, while wartime material restrictions eventually encouraged increasing use of zinc. During the transitional period around 1941, comparatively small numbers were also manufactured from CupAl.