German WWII Infantry Assault Badge in Silver-This is a solid, semi vaulted example of an assault badge in silver. The nickel silver wash on this badge is mostly missing. The remaining solid zinc has toned to a beautiful gray color. This badge still has strong details, especially the bold looking eagle and the leaf details on the wreath. Very nice. The pin setup functions as it should. There is something special about these semi vaulted badges, they have a terrific look to them. This is a very good example.
History: The infantry assault badge in silver was introduced on December 20th, 1939 by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsh, as an award for officer’s and EM/NCO’s of non-motorized infantry and Mountain infantry units. The criteria for the badge varied, with the main qualification being the participation in three separate infantry assaults. On June 1st, 1940 a bronze version of this Infantry Assault Badge was introduced as an award to Officer’s and EM/NCO’s of Motorized infantry units. The criteria for the bronze badge matched those of the silver badge; again, with the main qualification being the participation in three separate motorized infantry assaults.