WW2 German Luftwaffe Pilot’s Badge (Flugzeugführerabzeichen) by Assmann & Söhne

 WW2 German Luftwaffe Pilot’s Badge (Flugzeugführerabzeichen).

This is an early war period badge of a two piece zinc construction (eagle riveted to the wreath) manufactured by  Assmann & Söhne 

The reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback with wire catch, with a central stabilising pin.

Assman mark stamped to the rear of the eagle.

The Luftwaffe Pilot Badge was instituted by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on August 12, 1935.

It was among the earliest badges introduced in the German Wehrmacht and was worn by all qualified pilots in the German Air Force, similar to the “wings” worn by some other armies.

 The design of the badge featured a large, swooping eagle clutching the German national swastika emblem, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves.

The badge was normally presented in a blue hinged case.

It was worn on the upper left uniform pocket, and a cloth version was also authorized for field use.

In the nearly ten years from the introduction of this badge, to the end of WWII, the manufacturers of these awards made many changes in the features of the designs.

Some companies, like Juncker, Assmann, and Deumer, had early first pattern badges which looked completely different from later pieces by the same manufacturers.

Pilot badges were made of aluminum, nickel silver, plated Tombak, and zinc.

The eagle was always a separate piece, riveted to the wreath, with different manufacturers using different rivet designs.

 As the war progressed, and dies wore out, many makers produced badges with subtle changes.

All of these changes, over time, opened up a large spectrum of variation collecting for Luftwaffe badge collectors. .

 The photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. 

 Please examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.