Original German WWII Cased Luftwaffe Early War Observer’s Badge By F.W. Assmann & Söhne- The Luftwaffe Observer Badge, instituted on March 26, 1936, was awarded to observers, including navigators and bomb aimers, who served at least two months with a non-operational squadron or participated in at least five operational flights. The requirement could be reduced to one operational sortie if the recipient was injured. Those who received both the Luftwaffe Pilot Badge and the Observer Badge were eligible for the Combined Pilot/Observer Badge. Although approved on November 27, 1935, it was officially issued starting March 26, 1936.
This early war badge, crafted by F.W. Assmann & Söhne, is made of silvered tombak and features an oval laurel and oak leaf wreath with a swooping Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The reverse side shows two rivets securing the eagle, with a barrel hinge and vertical pin-back meeting a round wire catch, marked with the logo of an "A" for F.W. Assmann & Söhne. The badge is overall in excellent condition.
The case is in very good to excellent condition with normal age and storage wear on the outside. On the top of the case in silver lettering is "Beohachterabz" for Observer Badge with most of the silvering still there with some minor wear and loss. The inside bed does have wear and tear to it on the top and bottom of the slot. The badge sits nicely inside. The hinge does have some surface rust covering it, but still opens and closes just fine. In very good to excellent condition.
