German WWII Pilot/Observer Badge-This late war example is produced in zinc. The gold finish is mostly missing on this example, except what remains in the lowest details of the wreath The eagle is slightly wobbly to the wreath as one of the two rivets is broken. The remaining rivet appears to have been replaced. Please be sure to look closely at the photos. The detail to the badge is very good. The needle pin, catch and hinge works fine. A desirable example that will display well or will look great on a uniform!
History: The badge was officially adopted by the Luftwaffe on March 26th, 1936, by order of Hermann Göring. The Pilot’s Badge was awarded on an individual basis to personnel who had successfully completed the appropriate theory and flight training and had achieved their pilot's license. As with other flyer’s specialty badges, a cloth version of the Pilot’s Badge was authorized for wear on the flight blouse, with a machine embroidered pattern for EM/NCOs and a hand embroidered pattern for Officers. The two-piece badge is in the form of a vertically oval wreath with a separate burnished silver finished, stylized, spread winged eagle in flight, clutching a swastika mounted on the wreath. The eagle is attached to the wreath by two small dome headed rivets which are visible to the reverse. The vertically oval wreath features embossed laurel leaves to the left side and oak-leaves to the right side.