1936 Luftwaffe Pilots Badge, Late War
Price: $595
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: Late war production circa 1944-45, 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 thin canted swastika in its talons, mounted on the wreath. The eagle is attached to the wreath by two 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-out tips to the wings and cut-outs to the arms of the swastika. The eagle’s wings extend beyond both sides of the wreath. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. Unmarked; Excellent late war example retaining approx. 85% of its wreath’s silver finish and most of its eagle’s dark gray finish.
Background: The pilot’s qualification badge was originally introduced January 1935 for award to personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband Fliegerschaft, (German Air Sports Association, Pilot Base), the secret forerunner of the Luftwaffe, who achieved their pilot’s license. The badge was officially adopted by the Luftwaffe March 1936, by order of Hermann Göring. The pilot’s badge was awarded on an individual basis to personnel who had successfully completed the appropriate theory and flight training and had achieved their military pilot’s licence. As with other flyer’s specialty badges a cloth version of the pilot’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.
