Germany. A Silver Grade Infantry Assault Badge by Adolf Scholze

A second war German “Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen” silver grade; oval shaped oak leaf wreath in silvered feinzink, 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 crimped ball hinge, and a crimped round wire catch; maker marked “M.K.” for “Metall und. Kunstroff” which was a workshop comprised of multiple manufacturers - this specific badge displays the typical manufacturing characteristics of “Adolf Scholze” of the M.K. workshop; measuring 48.76 mm (w) x 63.50 mm (h); weighing 35.3 grams; in overall 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”.