Description
Product Description: This Silver Close Combat Clasp remains in nice condition. The clasp is produced in zinc and retains most of its original silver wash, with a light patina developing towards the ends of the clasp. This Close Combat Clasp features a sheet metal stamped fluted pin, with integral hinge, and a crimped-in catch. The catch has been pushed down slightly, but this could be easily fixed with very gentle pressure. The original black steel back-plate remains intact and originally crimped in place. The maker marked for AGMuK can be seen on the reverse as well as the designer “Peekhaus”. Overall, this is a nice Silver Close Combat Clasp with no repairs. These silver examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Historical Description: The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was instituted on November 25, 1942, to recognize the feats of German Infantry in close quarters combat beyond what the Infantry Assault Badge could. Units with soldiers who survived hand-to-hand combat with the enemy and other extremely close-range combat actions were required to track the dates and places of each of these battles. Those front-line soldiers fortunate enough to survive this brutal combat became eligible for the award. Because only front-line troops with direct combat experience could earn this clasp, it was a regarded by the soldiers themselves as a highly prestigious award. The Close Combat Clasp was awarded in three grades: Bronze, for 15 close combat days; Silver, for 25 close combat days, and Gold, for 50 or more days of close combat. Hitler reserved the right to personally award the Gold Close Combat Clasp, however Heinrich Himmler also awarded the gold grade late in the war as well, in Hitler’s name of course. The Gold grade Close Combat Clasp was at the time widely regarded as one of the most impressive and prestigious awards a German soldier could earn due to the criteria and lack of survivors. These men were true front-line combat troops and were held in higher regard than Knights Cross winners by their peers. The total amount of these clasps awarded, in all grades, was fewer than 50,000. The gold grade was awarded only approximately 630 times, making it 10 times rarer than the Knights Cross, the silver grade approximately 9500 times, and the bronze grade approximately 36,500 times. Those who had not been awarded the German Cross in Gold previously were typically automatically awarded it when awarded the Close Combat Clasp in Gold.
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