Germany, Wehrmacht. A Close Combat Clasp, Bronze Grade, Second Pattern by Friedrich Linden

(Nahkampfspange in Bronze). Constructed of bronzed zink, the obverse consisting of a square oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swastika, overlaid by a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, flanked on each side by four stylized rays and four oak leaves with two acorns, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch emanating from an oval plate, designer marked “W.E. PEEKHAUS, BERLIN” and maker marked with the logo of Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid, measuring 96.90 mm (w) x 26.02 mm (h), weighing 31.9 grams, demonstrating near-total loss of bronze finish throughout the base metal in addition to the loss of the central backplate, in very fine condition.

Footnote: This example was retrieved by a United States serviceman in the field during the Second World War, and hails directly from his estate without previously being available on the collector market.