German Infantry Assault Badge Value Guide

The German Infantry Assault Badge is a significant WWII combat award instituted in 1939 to recognize soldiers who participated in three or more infantry assaults. This silver-washed zinc badge is highly collectible due to its intricate design featuring an eagle atop an oval oak leaf wreath with a crossed bayonet and stick grenade.

What Is German Infantry Assault Badge Worth?

The typical price range for German Infantry Assault Badge is $75 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the silver wash finish, as zinc examples often absorb the plating over time.
• Presence of a rare or desirable manufacturer mark on the reverse of the badge.
• The integrity of the pin, hinge, and catch mechanism, with original unrepaired parts commanding higher prices.
• Overall strike quality, with early-war tombac versions generally being more valuable than late-war zinc versions.

How to Identify German Infantry Assault Badge?

• Examine the reverse for specific maker marks such as 'S.H.u.Co.' or 'F.O.' which indicate the manufacturer.
• Check the hardware for a vertical pin and hinge assembly that is consistent with period soldering techniques.
• Verify the crispness of the oak leaf details and the distinct shape of the M24 stick grenade and K98 bayonet.
• Look for the characteristic 'bubbling' or fading of the silver wash, which is common on late-war zinc-based examples.

History of German Infantry Assault Badge

The Infantry Assault Badge was instituted on December 20, 1939, by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch. It was awarded to recognize infantry soldiers who had participated in three or more infantry assaults, or who had been wounded or killed during an assault. The badge was initially issued in silver, with a bronze version introduced on June 1, 1940, for motorized and mountain infantry.