Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Grouping of Six Awards, Insignia, and Decorations

A mixed grouping of six awards, insignia, and decorations, consisting of:

1. An Infantry Assault Badge, Silver Grade, by a Disputed Maker. (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber). Instituted December 20th 1939. (1939-1945 Issue). Constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consists of a slightly vaulted oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, diagonally across the badge is a Karabiner 98k rifle with the bayonet attached and the carrying sling hanging from the rifle, the reverse with a crimped butterfly hinge, a straight vertical pinback, and a crimped round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 46.9 mm (w) x 62.3 mm (l), weighing 20.19 grams, with the majority of the silver finish worn off but with enough remaining to positively identify this as a silver grade example, in better than fine condition.

Footnote: Although this badge is unmarked, collectors have attributed this type and style of Infantry Assault Badge to Rudolf Karneth. However, according to historian Sascha Weber, a badge of this style was found in an original paper packet that was marked “Eugen Schmidhäusler, Pforzheim”. Interestingly, the paper packet was not marked “Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber” raising the question of whether the packet belonged to another award or if Eugen Schmidhäusler indeed manufactured this badge.

2. A Partial SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment “Der Führer” Identification Disc, constructed of zink, with two horizontally side-by-side holes for suspension from a necklace, inscribed with “SS “D. F.'' and "6517 ", measuring 70 mm (w) x 24 mm (l), fine condition. 

3. A Driver Proficiency Badge in Bronze. (Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen in Bronze). Instituted October 23rd 1942. (1942-1945 issue). Constructed of bronze magnetic metal, the obverse consists of a laurel wreath consisting of two laurel branches tied together at the base containing a depiction of a steering wheel, with a field gray wool core and a metal backer, measuring 61 mm in diameter, with nearly all of its finish lost through age and wear, in near very fine condition.

4. A Kuban Campaign Shield. (Kubanschild der Kriegsmarine). Instituted September 21st, 1943. (1943-1944 issue). Constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, the obverse consists of a shield bearing a stylized map of the Kuban region, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, flanked by a date of “1943”, missing its backplate, unmarked, measuring 52 mm (w) x 63 mm (l), in fine condition.

5. A Bronze Grade Equestrian Badge by L. Christian Lauer. (Pferdesport Leistungsabzeichen in Bronze). Constructed of bronze, the obverse consists of an oval oak leaf wreath joined at the bottom with a horseshoe inscribed with a raised “R”, with a centrally mounted horse, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, maker marked “L. Christian Lauer, Nürnberg” and “Gesetzlich Geschützt” on the reverse, measuring 41.7 mm (w) x 51.7 mm (l), weighing 15.44 grams, in better than fine condition. 

6. A Bronze Grade Equestrian Badge Miniature Stickpin by L. Christian Lauer. (Pferdesport Leistungsabzeichen in Bronze). Constructed of bronze, the obverse consists of an oval oak leaf wreath joined at the bottom with a horseshoe inscribed with a raised “R”, with a centrally mounted horse, measuring 14.5 mm (w) x 18.0 mm (l), in near very fine condition.