Germany. A Silver Grade Combat Clasp by Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid

A very well preserved example of a silver grade Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange); constructed of silvered zink alloy; the obverse with a national eagle, with a bayonet and hand grenade in the centerpiece, with sun rays emanating from the centre of the left and right sides, and with four oak leaves and two acorns on each side; the reverse plain, with a square (magnetic) backing plate; horizontal banjo style pinback (nonmagnetic) with a crimped barrel hinge and a crimped round wire catch; maker marked “FLL” for “Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid” and “Fec. W.e. Peekhaus, Berlin” on the reverse; measuring 96.60 mm (w) x 25.65 mm (h); weighing 33.4 grams; with the silver finish extremely well preserved, in overall better than extremely fine condition.

Footnote: This close combat clasp stems from the personal collection of predominant historian Thomas Durante, author of “The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II - A Collectors Guide to the German Close Combat Clasp of World War II”.