Production of all badge – clasps continued until the end of 1945, i.e., the end of the war. There were 4556 badge – clasps awarded for the Army (Heer), 37 for the Navy (Kriegsmarine), and the number of badge – clasps awarded for the Air Force (Luftwaffe) is unknown.
All specimens of the honorary badge – clasp were manufactured using the principle of die forging, and all specimens have an unfinished back. The material used for making the honorary badge – clasps is tombak or tombak-like alloy, which is gilded and polished after shaping, giving the decoration an exceptionally beautiful appearance befitting its significance.
The decoration was worn on both formal occasions and in combat situations. The officially prescribed location and method for wearing it was the second buttonhole on the uniform, where the ribbon for the Iron Cross 2nd Class or the Medal of the Russian Campaign could also be worn. In the case of multiple ribbons, the honorary badge – clasp was worn first, i.e., before all other ribbons.
Due to its importance, the decoration was presented in an elegant black case, often covered with artificial or, in extremely rare cases, genuine leather. The interior of the case for the Army (Heer) badge – clasp is beige or ochre in color, while for the Air Force (Luftwaffe) or Navy (Kriegsmarine) versions, the interior is dark blue. The recipient of the decoration also received an additional award certificate and an entry in the military document – “soldbuch.”
In all three versions of the honorary badge – clasp, the base is the same. The decoration is composed of an oak leaf wreath, which varies between versions. For the Army (Heer) badge – clasp, the wreath is open at the top and is tied off with a bow at the bottom. The oak leaves are larger than those on the other two versions. Inside the wreath, there is a slightly tilted swastika, which has a groove or line along its edges, giving it a unique appearance and detail.
Honorary Badges: Kriegsmarine, Heer, and Luftwaffe
It should be noted that all three versions, especially the badge – clasps for the Air Force (Luftwaffe) and Navy (Kriegsmarine), are extremely rare specimens and are therefore often counterfeited and reproduced. Details that most commonly reveal that a Navy badge – clasp is a copy include the bluntness (lack of sharpness) of the badge, the holding of the wreath on the ribbon, and the completeness of the back – all original specimens had an unfinished back, while copies often have this area cut out.
Holder of the Knight’s Cross and Honorary Badge, Major Wenzelburger Georg (December 22, 1910 – January 18, 2000)
Timeless-History
