Germany. A Silver Grade Infantry Assault Badge by Ferdinand Wiedmann

A fine example of a second war German silver grade “Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen”; oval shaped oak leaf wreath in silvered zink, with a national eagle clutching a swastika on the top and a bow-tie on the bottom. Diagonally across the badge is a Karabiner 98k with the bayonet attached to the front of the barrel and the carrying sling hanging from the rifle; the reverse plain; with a vertical round wire pinback, a tall sheet metal hinge, and a round wire catch soldered on a small round plate; an unmarked example, but displaying the typical manufacturing characteristics of Ferdinand Wiedmann of Frankfurt on the Main; measuring 46.76 mm (w) x 61.18 mm (h); weighing 33.2 grams; slightly vaulted; with the silver finish approximately 75% preserved on the reverse, and nearly 100% preserved on the reverse; in overall very fine condition.

Footnote: This infantry assault badge stems from the personal collection of predominant historian Thomas Durante, and is depicted on page 138 in his book, “The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II - A Collectors Guide to the German Close Combat Clasp of World War II”.