Description

Die struck zinc construction, two piece badge is in the form of a vertically oval, wreath with a separate stylized, spread winged, eagle in flight, clutching a canted, swastika mounted on the wreath. The eagle is attached to the wreath by two flat rivets which are visible to the reverse. The vertically oval wreath features embossed laurel leaves to the right side and oak-leaves to the left side. The highly vaunted, eagle shows nice detailing including intricate feathering and cut-outs to the wing tips and tail feathers. The eagle’s wings extend beyond both sides of the wreath. Complete with original pin and catch combination, with some areas retains small amounts of the original silver wash. The reverse of the eagle is well marked with the impressed ‘A’ manufacturer’s trademark for F.W. Assmann & Sohn, Lüdenscheid.

The Observer’s qualification badge was introduced by Hermann Göring on March 26th 1936 for award to Observers, Navigators and Bombardiers who had met the required criteria. The Observer’s badge was awarded on an individual basis and criteria for bestowal included five operational flights over enemy territory or a minimum of two months active service. As with other flyer’s specialty badges a cloth version of the Observer’s Badge was authorized for wear on the flight blouse with a machine embroidered pattern for EM/NCO’s and a hand embroidered pattern for Officers’.