Infantry Assault Badges

Some Observations

How does a collector who concentrates on panzer items happen to own 73 Infantry Assault Badges? In the middle to late 1970’s a wave of reproduction items motivated some collectors of Third Reich militaria to switch to U.S. militaria, Japanese swords, etc. As a result, during that time I purchased a number of Infantry Assault Badges (Infanterie- Sturmabzeichen) for $8 to $10 each. In addition to the enticingly low prices, I bought them because I was curious about the many different maker marks, the variety of metals and finishes used, and the methods of manufacture and construction.

In the figures I have drawn, the maker marks are as close to the actual size and the actual location as I could make them. About one fourth of the maker marks are stamped into the back of the badges (the * indicates which ones are stamped, that is punched into and below the metal surface). The majority of the badges have the maker mark in relief; the numbers, letters and/or symbols are higher that the back surface of the badge. Most of the maker marks are positioned just below the hinge assembly as illustrated in Fig. D.

The only Infantry Assault Badge I have on which the maker’s name and location is indicated is the one in Fig. A1, by Ernst L. Muller. Fig. B1, hollow back, and Fig. B2, solid back, both by F.W. Assmann & Sohn, are of different types of manufacture with the firm’s symbol variously located. Fig. B3, solid back, and Fig. B4 hollow back, both by Josef Feix Sohne, have "JFS" in differing styles and locations on the badges.

Again, Fig. B7, hollow back, and Fig. B5, solid back, are similar to the previous example but with "H.H.u.Co." the maker. Occasionally the date of manufacture is included as in Fig. B6, "W.R.42." and Fig. B5, "S.H.u.Co. — 41".

Two of the badges have lightly stamped symbols which are difficult to make out.
Fig. D11 appears to have the image of a horseshoe enclosing a face-down letter "P".
In Fig D22, the symbol appears to be a leaf. Some of the symbols represent well know makers. The stylized "A" of F.W. Assmann & Sohn Ludenscheid; The horizontal "H" over
the stylized "A" for Hermann Aurich Dresden and the "JF S" of Josef Feix Sohne Gablonz. While the badges normally have pin and catch assemblies affxed by soldering or crimping, the badges in Fig. A3 "GWL“ and Fig. D2, "2", have "extruded" hinges and catches. That is, they were made as an integral part of the badge at the time of manufacture. Usually, the "L/61" badge, Fig. C1, has a riveted catch and hinge.

An unmarked badge, Fig. C3, is nicely struck with double rivets holding the pin and catch assemblies in place. It appears to be a complicated way to produce an inexpensive badge!

The ten unmarked Infantry Assault Badges I have are generally of very good quality, struck with good detail and made in various styles: solid back, hollow back and scoop back (simi- hollow back). If someone knows why they are unmarked, I would appreciate hearing from you. Also, why did some companies produce a specific badge in both hollow and solid back versions.

Finally, fifteen years ago in England I picked up a late-war silver Infantry Assault Badge made of brittle pot metal with excellent detail. Instead of the expected "FRANK & REIF - STUTTGART" logo, there is "FANK & REIF - STUTTGART" on the back. A misspelling of the work "FRANK". Any explanations out there?

I have looked for, but never found, the following maker marked Infantry Assault Badges: "F&BL, EWE, R.K., A.S., JUNCKER, M.K., H.&C.L., L/‘? (other than 10, 14, 53, 56 and 61). These should exist.

Tim Curley, "Intantry Assault Badges - Some Observations", Der Gauleiter, 1992