A 1917 Reconnaissance Pilot Badge in Silver with Documents to Friedrich Schrader; 257th Detachment

A First War Flugzeugführer-Abzeichen (Pilot's Badge) in silver. It is marked "935" on the reverse of the crown, of hollow construction, measures 44.5x71.7mm, and weighs 19.8 grams. The badge shows excellent crisp details and a high wreath relief. The pin is unusually wide. It is a scarce badge by an unknown maker, in very fine condition. The badge comes with an award document (209x329mm), which is actually a validated and signed transcript. It is dated to Gr. H. Qu. (Großes Hauptquartier (?) = Great Headquarters) on November 2, 1917. Unteroffizier (NCO) Friedrich Schrader of the Flieger-Abteilung (A) 257 (Aviation Detachment) is awarded the Pilot’s Badge. A signature of the commanding General of the German Air Service (kommandierender General der Luftstreitkräfte) Ernst von Hoeppner (1860–1922) is missing. However, to validate this transcript, it is stamped and signed in pencil on November 9 by Captain and Aviation Commander of the 7th Army Walter Stahr (1882–1948), who was eventually promoted to Major General during the Second World War. A unique collection of five reconnaissance photos taken from a plane (243x285mm). They were taken on September 22 with a 50cm camera during an air-to-air-encounter with four SPADs (French biplane) by Lieutenant Molitor, while Schrader was flying. The pictures show the French towns of Courlandon, Breuil, Montigny, and Yonchery, west of Reims. They are meant to be put next to each other to combine into a complete flight path.