Original Items: Only One Available. Called in German a Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber, this genuine badge is constructed of silvered die-struck zinc. Over time, the silvering can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, and long term exposure to specific environments can produce some interesting hues. This example has lost almost all of the original silvering on the zinc base metal, and has now turned an interesting shade of light brown/orange on both sides. It could be that the silver wash was aluminum based, which sometimes can oxidize to this color.

This exact badge was one of the many featured in the book The Infantry Assault Badges by Sascha Weber, published in 2008. We received it along with several other IAB's also featured in the book, which is the definitive work tracing the various makers and designs of the infantry assault badge.

The design of the badge consists of an oval oak wreath tied together at the base via a ribbon, with a national eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross), with a vertically oriented Karabiner 98k with the bayonet attached to the front of the barrel and the carrying sling hanging from the rifle superimposed on the wreath. The back of the badge is marked M.K.1. just under the hinge, the maker mark of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Metall und Kunststoff (Metal and Plastic Working Group) in Gablonz a.d. Neisse, part of the so-called "Sudetenland" during WWII. Today it is known as Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Rebublic.

The back also features a vertical pinback, with a functional hinge and catch. It measures approximately 48 mm (w) x 63 mm (h) with a weight of 35 grams. This example is overall in very good condition, with a lovely patina.

Overall a very nice example of this type of badge, featured in a published research book, ready to display!

The Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was a German war badge awarded to Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during the Second World War. This decoration was instituted on 20 December 1939 by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in infantry assaults, with light infantry weapons, on at least three separate days of battle in the front line on or after 1 January 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting, it could also apply. Award of the Infantry Assault Badge was authorized at regimental command level.