H029594 CLOSE COMBAT CLASP IN SILVER. (Nahkampfspange in Silber)

BACKGROUND: The Close Combat Clasp was introduced on November 25TH 1942 for award to personnel who fought in hand to hand combat situations unsupported by armor. The clasp was issued in three grades, of Bronze, Silver and Gold with each successive grade signifying more days spent in hand to hand or close combat. Criteria for award of the clasps consisted of fifteen days of hand to hand combat for bestowal of the Bronze clasp, thirty days of hand to hand combat for bestowal of the Silver clasp and fifty days of hand to hand combat for bestowal of the Gold clasp. The criteria for award of one of the clasps was slightly relaxed for personnel wounded in combat and there was also a prescribed, combat to time served ratio, enabling long serving personnel to be eligible for award of a clasp. Of Note: Hitler considered the Close Combat Clasp in gold as the "highest infantry decoration", of the German Armed Forces and as a result on March 26TH 1944 he reserve the right to bestow the award to any recipients personally.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nicely detailed, die struck, alloy construction clasp with washed finish. The clasp is in the form of a central square panel with a recessed background field with an embossed national eagle with out stretched wings, clutching a canted swastika in it's talons, positioned above a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, flanked by four oak leaves and dual acorns superimpose on a ribbed, horizontal outward pointing base. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. The reverse is well marked with the embossed manufacturer's initials, "FLL.", with each initial encompassed by a circular border indicating manufacture by Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid.

GRADE *** 3/4                             PRICE $595.00

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