Original Items: Only One Available. Called in German the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber, this genuine badge is constructed of die-struck silvered zinc. Over time, the silvering can wear and flake off, showing the oxidized base metal, which is zinc. This example retains some of the original wash. This has given it a really nice aged patina that is impossible to duplicate!

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 reverse of the award is maker-marked with a runic stylized (FZS), the trademark logo of Fritz Zimmerman und Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a city with a large garment accessories industry.

The back also features a vertical pinback, with a soldered-on barrel hinge and bent round wire catch. This example is overall in very good condition, with no dents or deformation, and a lovely patina.

Overall a very nice example of this type of badge, ready to display!

The Infantry Assault Badge (German: 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.