Germany. A Second War Period General Assault Badge by Ferdinand Wiedmann of Lüdenscheid

A near mint example of a second war German “Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen”; oval silvered zink; with an oak leaf border and a pair of acorns at the base, with a large Wehrmacht-style eagle with folded wings clutching a mobile swastika, and a crossed bayonet and stick grenade in the centre; the reverse plain with a vertical needle style pin, sheet metal hinge, and a round wire catch; maker marked with the stylized logo of Ferdinand Wiedmann of Lüdenscheid; measuring 42.43 mm (w) x 52.83 mm (h); weighing 27.3 grams; flat; with nearly all of its original silver finish remaining; in overall virtually mint condition.

Footnote: This close combat clasp 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”.