Germany, Luftwaffe. A Combined Pilot & Observer Badge, by Friedrich Linden
A fine early second war quality example Luftwaffe Combined Pilot/Observer (Flugzeugführer und Beobachterabzeichen); in silver and gilt tombac; two-piece construction; consisting of a gilt oval wreath with laurel leaves towards the left side, and oak leaves towards the right side of the wreath, separated by three small ribbon-like loops on the bottom, with a large silvered eagle with spread-out wings superimposed on the badge, clutching a swastika in its talons; two rivets on the reverse - tightly holding the eagle on the wreath; vertical needle style pinback with a short barrel hinge and a round wire catch; an unmarked example, but experienced collector’s believe this to depict the manufacturing characteristics of early war manufacture (judging from the hand-cut details on the left wing) of “Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid”; measuring 64.53 mm (w) x 52.57 mm (h); weighing 41.0 grams; with much of its original finish remaining; in overall better than very fine condition.

