WW2 Original German Infantry Assault Badge by (JFS) Josef Feix & Söhne in Bronze Grade "Worn Condition"
SKU: 900
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer: "JFS"Josef Feix & Söhne
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 41.65 mm (1.64 in) wide by 60.06 mm (2.36 in) high
Condition: Excellent
Price: $300.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: 170
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description:
This Original World War II German Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze) manufactured by the well-known firm Josef Feix & Söhne (JFS) of Gablonz an der Neiße. This example is presented in honest, worn condition, displaying the age, finish loss, and handling characteristics expected from a period badge that appears to have seen considerable use.
The Bronze Grade of the Infantry Assault Badge was officially instituted on June 1, 1940, following the introduction of the Silver Grade in December 1939. The Bronze Grade was primarily intended for members of motorized and mechanized infantry formations who met the prescribed combat requirements. Qualification generally involved participation in infantry assaults or counterattacks on three separate combat days, with qualifying service counted from January 1, 1940.
Josef Feix & Söhne – “JFS” Manufacturer
This example was produced by Josef Feix & Söhne, located in Gablonz an der Neiße, an important center of German medal, badge, jewelry, and metalware production during the period. Today the city is known as Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Republic. JFS manufactured numerous German military decorations and insignia during the Second World War.
JFS Infantry Assault Badges are readily identifiable by their characteristic construction and, on marked examples, the distinctive “JFS” manufacturer logo, typically consisting of the initials positioned within a rectangular border on the reverse beneath the hinge. Documented JFS Bronze Infantry Assault Badges were commonly manufactured from fine zinc (Feinzink) with an applied bronze-colored finish.
Classic Infantry Assault Badge Design
The badge features the instantly recognizable oval oak-leaf wreath, surmounted by the German national eagle. Running diagonally across the center is a detailed Karabiner 98k rifle with fixed bayonet, representing the infantry soldier and his principal weapon.
The combination of the rifle, bayonet, oak leaves, and military eagle created one of the most recognizable German combat badge designs of the Second World War. Period examples are generally approximately 61–63 mm high and 47–48 mm wide, although dimensions can vary slightly depending upon manufacturer and production variation.
Bronze Grade & Original Finish
JFS Bronze Infantry Assault Badges are known in zinc construction with a factory-applied bronze finish. As is frequently encountered with wartime zinc decorations, the applied finish was susceptible to oxidation, absorption, fading, and loss through prolonged handling and uniform wear. As a result, genuinely worn examples can exhibit substantial areas of exposed gray zinc with traces of bronze remaining primarily in protected recesses.
This particular badge should therefore not be confused with a near-mint or unissued example. Its appeal is instead found in its visibly worn appearance and period character.
Condition – Worn
This original JFS Infantry Assault Badge is offered in Worn Condition.
The badge displays noticeable age and service-related wear, including loss and fading of the original bronze finish, surface patina, oxidation, discoloration, and general handling wear consistent with an approximately 80-year-old zinc combat badge. Raised portions of the design show the greatest degree of wear, while recessed areas may retain stronger traces of the original coloration and detail.
Rather than detracting from the piece, this worn appearance gives the badge a distinctive field-used character that many collectors prefer over examples retaining nearly all of their factory finish.
Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition, degree of finish loss, reverse hardware, maker marking, and other individual characteristics of this specific badge.
Historical Significance
The Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze represented recognition of direct participation in ground combat by Germany's motorized infantry. Unlike commemorative or general service awards, qualification was tied to participation in qualifying frontline combat actions. The Bronze Grade was specifically established for motorized infantry personnel under criteria broadly comparable to those governing the Silver Grade for non-motorized infantry.
As such, original Infantry Assault Badges remain an important category of German WWII combat decorations and are collected today by historians and militaria collectors for their connection to the equipment, organization, and award system of the period.
Collector Highlights
- 100% Original WWII German Period Infantry Assault Badge
- Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
- Bronze Grade
- Manufactured by Josef Feix & Söhne
- Desirable JFS manufacturer
- Gablonz an der Neiße production
- Period zinc-based construction typical of documented JFS examples
- Classic oak-leaf wreath and K98k rifle-and-bayonet design
- Original wartime combat decoration
- Honest Worn Condition
- Visible age, patina, finish loss, and handling wear
- Excellent representative example for a WWII German combat badge collection
Overall
A desirable Original WW2 German JFS Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze by Josef Feix & Söhne, displaying the unmistakable appearance of a genuinely aged and heavily worn wartime decoration. While much of the original bronze finish has worn or faded with time, the surviving detail, characteristic JFS manufacture, and untouched appearance give this example considerable historical and collector interest.
Note: Many of these awards survived the war in a surplus stock making it more difficult nowadays to find a Bronze grade JFS in actually worn condition than in mint condition.
