WW2 Original German Close Combat Badge Clasp in Bronze By Peekhaus & Junker

SKU: 893

Original/Reproduction: Original

Availability: In-stock

Manufacturer: Peekhaus & Junker

Manufacturer Year: 1940's

Material: Zinc/Bronze

Condition: Excellent

Price: $475.00

Seller Type: WW2C

Seller ID: JMW

Seller Code: PS250

Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.

Description:

WW2 German Close Combat Badge Bronze (Nahkampfspange in Bronze). The Peekhaus & Junker produced Close Combat Badge Bronze is in very good condition. The Close Combat Badge (Nahkampfspange) was awarded for Close Combat fought in extreme proximity to the enemy (i.e. the defense of strongpoints, fighting in and around trenches, fierce fighting in towns, etc. and other Close Combat fought in buildings and similar locations). The qualifying criteria for the award of the Close Combat Badge was the number of Close Combat days a soldier had been in contact with the enemy at close range.

The award was given in three grades of Bronze, Silver and Gold for 15, 30 and 50 or more Close Combat days respectively.

The award was issued in three grades:

• Bronze – 15 days of close combat
• Silver – 30 days of close combat
• Gold – 50 days of close combat

The Bronze Grade is the first of the highest ranking of the German World War II Close Combat Badge and is presented here to the collector.

Design and Construction

 In the middle of the badge is the German national eagle grasping a swastika in his talons above a crossed bayonet and stick grenade. The badge is surrounded by sprigs of oak and other military emblems to remind of the close combat of a front-line infantryman. The reverse of the Close Combat Badge offered here is typical for such an award and shows the pin-and-catch attachment that was commonly used on awards of this type. The Close Combat Badges by Peekhaus, Friedrich from Berlin as well as those by C.E. Juncker of Berlin (one of Germany’s best-known makers of wartime insignia) are highly sought after by collectors because of their high quality, the typical details of their construction and the historical value they possess.

Condition

Original WW2 Close Combat Badge in very good condition. Has nice patina, original color. Normal wear for an item that is over 80 years old. All details are still very sharp. Reverse has the original pin and the catch. The hardware is all original to this piece. The relief is sharp, the raised elements are all well-defined including the German eagle in the center, the crossed bayonet and stick grenade, the oak leaves that are placed around the central motif and other related details. The reverse of the badge shows the normal pin and catch that was used to secure the Close Combat Badge to the recipient’s uniform. The quality of this original Bronze Close Combat Badge is very high, and it is no doubt a very rare find for a collector, it is a Close Combat Badge issued during WW2 and is of German origin. Minor signs of oxidation, loss of finish, discoloration, or wear to surfaces as found on most artifacts of this age do not in any way take away from the historical significance and value of this piece.

Historical Significance

The German Close Combat Badge was a combat award given to soldiers that had been in repeated close-range combat. The Close Combat Badge was a highly respected award given to men that had been in very close combat and had been documented. Many soldiers received the Bronze award first, which was given after 15 days of close combat. Then after 45 days of close combat they were awarded the Silver award, and after 50 or more days of close combat they were awarded the Gold award, which was the highest award of the three. The Bronze Close Combat Badge of the Close Combat Badge – Nahkampfspange was a combat decoration. It was awarded after having participated in documented close-range engagements several times. In order to receive the Bronze Award of the Close Combat Badge a soldier had to have fought in 15 days of close combat. Thus, he had to have been in the vicinity of the enemy for 15 days and to have participated in battles on a very close range. Later the qualification for the award of the Silver Award was upped to 20 days of close combat and the Gold Award to 40 days.

Collector Highlights

 Original WW2 German issue Close Combat Badge – Nahkampfspange Bronze Grade Peekhaus & Junker associated manufacture/design Awarded for 15 qualifying close-combat days Detailed eagle, bayonet, grenade, and oak-leaf design Original reverse pin attachment system Attractive period patina and age characteristics Very good condition

A great addition to any serious German Military Award or Insignia collection. This is a highly desirable original WW2 German Close Combat Badge Bronze grade combat award, highly regarded by collectors of German combat awards, Heer awards, collar and chest insignia, as well as German military relics from the battlefields of WW2.