*Replica German, WW2, Numbered General Assault Badge - 100, by JFS - Josef Feix & Söhne, in Gablonz*
This exceptionally rare badge is in excellent condition. The front boasts an impressive appearance, with the wreath retaining most of its original gold finish and a nice luster. The "100" numeral box, which is extremely rare, still has its original black paint in the recesses. Most of the original gold finish is also present on the reverse. This piece is maker-marked with a stylized “JFS” in a box, indicating it was manufactured by Josef Feix & Söhne in Gablonz.
The 100 Engagement General Assault Badge was introduced in June 1943 and awarded in very limited numbers.
The German General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940. Initially, the Heer (Army) combat badges recognized only Infantry and Panzer (Tank) units, leaving supporting elements of the German Army without recognition for their combat achievements. The General Assault Badge was first intended for Combat Engineer units, but its eligibility expanded to include Panzerjäger (Tank Hunters), Cavalry units, and even Medical Personnel who assisted Infantry or Panzer units during combat engagements. Eventually, members of the Luftwaffe (Air Force), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Waffen-SS, and Combat Police units also became eligible.
The requirements for the General Assault Badge were the same as for the Infantry Assault Badge and the Panzer Assault Badge: the soldier must have taken part in three combat assaults on three separate days, with three assaults in one day counting as only one. By 1943, the German High Command (OKW) realized the war would not be over as quickly as hoped for, and the need to recognize their soldiers at the front would require a new type of award and criteria. The four grades created by the German High Command were “25”, “50”, “75”, & “100”. The requirements for the Numbered General Assault Badge were like the standard version with the main difference now being the number of combat days required corresponded to the number on the award. For example, the General Assault Badge with a “25” box would have required the soldier to have 25 combat assaults on 25 different days. Many soldiers in the German Army did not live to see the required “combat days” for the higher grades. This especially holds true for the higher “75” and “100” grades of the award
The standard General Assault Badge was designed by the Berlin firm of Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus and features an oak leaf wreath surrounding a large National Eagle clutching a swastika, with crossed bayonet and stick grenade underneath. The badge was made from various base metals, including brass, copper-coated aluminum, copper-coated zinc, and zinc. The progression of the war led to material shortages, forcing manufacturers to switch from high-quality metals like brass to lower-quality ones like zinc.
The JFS logo is flat rather than raised , this looks like a good copy.
*Condition*
Excellent used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
