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, however this example still retains almost all of the original silver wash and looks great! We very rarely see example that have this much intact silvering.

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 W.H., the maker mark of Wilhelm Hobacher of Wien (Vienna), a known maker of this badge.

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 excellent condition, still bright and shiny.

Overall a great 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.