1941 Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Clasp in Silver
Price: Sold
Description:.Die struck, two piece, alloy clasp with Silver burnished finish. The clasp is in the form of a silver washed, central, circular, laurel leaf wreath, with a static swastika superimposed to the bottom center, encompassing a blued, left profile, stylized eagle’s head. The central stylized eagle’s head is secured to the clasp by a single, small, dome headed rivet which is visible on the reverse. Unmarked which is common with these; complete with untouched hinge, solid wide pin and round wire catch assembly.
Background: The Reconnaissance, Air/Sea Rescue and Meteorological Operational Flying Clasp was introduced by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring January 1941, along with two other clasps, in a series of eight that were instituted at different points through-out the war to recognize the increasing number of operational flights achieved by specialized Luftwaffe personnel. All eight of the clasps were awarded in three grades of, Bronze for twenty operational flights, Silver for sixty operational flights, and Gold for one hundred ten operational flights. By mid-1942 many pilots and aircrew were surpassing the number of operational flights required for award of the clasps, so June 1942, Göring introduced a starburst pendant device to recognize operational flights of over one hundred and ten with a prescribed number of operational flights required for award depending on the type of clasp. In the case of the Reconnaissance, Air/Sea Rescue and Meteorological clasp three hundred operational flights were necessary for the award of the starburst pendant. Of Note: Due to the ever increasing operational flights achieved by Luftwaffe personnel Göring decided to replace the sunburst pendant in April 1944 with a new numbered pendant. The numbered pendants began at “200” and went up as high as “2000” in increments of one hundred.
