Description
Product Description: This very rare early thin wreath Assmann pilot badge is an absolute gem. This is early, high quality production, and the badge is very well preserved, with outstanding eye appeal. The badge has a second pattern thin wreath that retains most of the original factory applied silver electroplating. Very slight wear to the original finish reveals the brassy color of the base metal in small spots at the high points. The original silver finish is bright, with almost no age toning. The first pattern eagle still retains most of the factory darkening, with normal signs of honest wear and lots of fine detail. On the reverse, this badge is not maker marked, but this variant is known to have been produced by the firm of F. W. Assmann in Lüdenscheid. The hardware is the correct early type used by Assmann, with a barrel hinge, round wire attachment pin, and formed metal catch. The attachment pin is functional and the hardware shows no repairs or damage. The rivets are tight and textbook. This badge is named, probably by the original owner, in a period German type of script, neatly engraved. This outstanding Assmann pilot badge is nicely stored in an original case of issue. The case shows only minimal exterior wear, with virtually all of the original surface intact. The designation of the award, “Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführer-Abzeichen,” is embossed in gold leaf on the lid. Inside, the case has a high quality lining that shows only minimal wear and age. This is a very rare and desirable set, in exceptional condition.
Historical Description: The Luftwaffe Pilot Badge was instituted by head of the Luftwaffe Hermann Göring on August 12, 1935. It was among the earliest qualification badges introduced in the German Wehrmacht and was worn by all qualified pilots in the German Luftwaffe (Airforce). The design of the badge featured a large, swooping eagle clutching a large German national swastika emblem, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The badge was normally presented in a blue hinged case, but later in the war was issued in paper packets and boxes. It was worn on the upper left uniform pocket. A cloth version was also authorized for field use. In the nearly ten years from the introduction of this badge to the end of WWII, the manufacturers of these awards made many subtle changes to the features of the designs. Some companies, like Juncker, Assmann, and Deumer, had early first pattern badges which looked completely different from their later produced pieces. Pilot badges were made of aluminum, nickel silver, plated Tombak, and zinc. The eagle was always a separate piece, riveted to the wreath, with different manufacturers using different rivet designs. As the war progressed, and dies wore out, many makers produced badges with subtle changes. All these changes, over time, opened up a large spectrum of variation collecting for Luftwaffe badge collectors. Early variations of this badge can appear much like that of jewelry. The quality and craftsmanship for these military awards can arguably be the finest produced by any military in history. This is part of the allure for many collectors.
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