BACKGROUND: The Flak Artillery War Badge was introduced on January 10TH 1941, for award to air defense crews including searchlight and sound detection personnel. Before the introduction of the Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge, the Flak Artillery War Badge was also awarded for participation in ground engagements. Bestowal of the award was originally rendered on a point structure system with sixteen points required to be presented the badge, although the criteria was modified during the war. As with most military and civilian awards of the Third Reich period miniature version lapel pins were permitted for wear on civilian clothing. These miniature awards were private purchase items and could only be purchased by individuals with the proper ownership documentation. General regulations, with a few minor exceptions, permitted wear of three miniature awards at one time but prohibited the mixing of military and civilian awards on one lapel pin. Of Note: The LDO, Leistungsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Ordenshersteller, (Administration of German Medal Manufacturers), began regulating the manufacture of German awards, including lapel pins, in March 1941 as a quality control agent for awards that were intended for retail sale.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, die struck alloy construction, single piece, miniature, exact replica Flak Badge lapel pin is in the form of a roughly 10mm tall, 6mm wide, vertically oval oak-leaf wreath with a separate Luftwaffe style eagle affixed to the top center. The wreath encompasses the profile of an 88mm anti-aircraft gun with the gun barrel extending beyond the edge of the wreath. The smooth reverse has a soldered vertical, stickpin intact. The pin has no visible manufacturer's markings.