Original German post WW2 / 1957 pattern Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge, IN PERFECT CONDITION, GENUINE ST&L (STEINHAUER UND LUECK) LATER MADE EXAMPLE WITH OPEN HINGE BLOCK, PERFECTLY WORKING PIN DEVICE, MULTIPIECE CONSTRUCTION – GOOD RIVETS, ATTRACTIVE & RARE BADGE. FEW FACTS ABOUT 1957 PATTERN AWARDS. In 1957 the West German government authorised replacement Iron Crosses with an Oak Leaf Cluster in place of the swastika, similar to the Iron Crosses of 1813, 1870, and 1914, which could be worn by World War II Iron Cross recipients. The 1957 law also authorised de-Nazified versions of most other World War II-era decorations (except those specifically associated with Nazi Party organizations, such as SS Long Service medals, or with the expansion of the German Reich, such as the medals for the annexation of Austria, the Sudetenland, and the Memel region). The main government contract to manufacture and supply these new de-nazified WW2 1957 official decorations went to the world famous German firm Steinhauer & Lueck, Luedenscheid Germany. Knights Crosses, Iron Crosses, Wound Badges, Tank Assault Badges etc were re-designed by Steinhauer & Lück – often with the oak-leaf spray replacing the swastika, with S&L having the sole patent rights to all WW2 1957 German decorations. S&L did not have the whole monopoly on medal making, other famous firms such as Deschler & Sohn, BH Maher and Juncker also manufactured these new German decorations. Lüdenscheid is situated between the cities Dortmund and Bonn. It was here that one of the youngest medal firms was founded in 1889 by August Steinhauer and Gustav Adolf Lück. The first production began in a cellar, the customer base continued to increase. A property was bought at 51 Hochstrasse which is still home for this famous company today. During WW2 Steinhauer & Lück produced medals and badges, like the famous Knights Cross and many other types of medals and badges. In 1957 this company was awarded the contract to produce all the newly re-designed legal WW2 1957 de-nazified decorations, plus the contract to manufacture all of Germany’s official decorations including Germany’s highest order the Bundesverdienstkreuz. Only a very limited number of original WW2 1957 medals are still produced, mainly Iron Crosses, German Cross Gold & Silver & Wound Badges and are considered 100% genuine by the German Government. HISTORY OF THE AWARD. Luftwaffe Paratrooper’s Badge – On April 1, 1935, the Landespolizeigruppe General Göring was redesignated Regiment General Göring, becoming a part of the Luftwaffe until 23 Sep 1935. Parts of this unit I. Pionier-Kompanie/RGG were transferred to Döberitz Jan 1936 for parachute training. These troops were to be the cadre of the future German paratroopers and were separated from the unit March 1938. In order to recognize these daredevil pioneers, the Paratrooper Badge was instituted on November 5, 1936 by the Reichsminister der Luftwaffe and Oberbefelschaber der Luftwaffe (registered in the Luftwaffe”Verordnungsblatt’[16 Nov/n°475610612]). The badge consists of a diving gilded eagle, clutching the swastika in its claws, that is riveted to the wreath by two tiny round rivets (except the GWL model). The wreath is formed with laurel leaves on the left side and oak leaves on the right, and is bright silvered or dark silver oxidized with the ridges burnished. The fastening system is typical of the Luftwaffe badges. It consists of a thin needle pin (end rounded or pointed), a barrel hinge soldered to the wreath and a soldered”C” form hook. Some manufacturers badges have a special hinge form (at least GWL, BNL, ASSMANN). The badge was constructed in silver-nickel alliage, tombak and zinc. Several manufacturers made this badge. Their name or logo is generally engraved on the reverse of the eagle. A cloth version with embroidered bullion wire, cotton thread, was authorized to be worn on the uniform only until 42 though in spite of regulations, it continued to be worn until the end of the war. The badge was worn on the uniform upper left pocket, or on the equivalent place on the flight jacket (Fliegerbluse) or gala uniform. The badge was presented on a dark blue box with the inscription”Luftwaffe=Fallschirm=Schützenabz.’ in golden letters. A certificate was also presented. Different award document forms existed; it was firstly in DIN A4 format, then in DIN A 5. The conditions changed all along the war. From 41 to 44 progressively any specialist (riflemen, administration, doctors) was authorized to wear the badge after performing jump training. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War II (1939-1945)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “a..anderson” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
- Country/ Organization: Germany
- Theme: Militaria
- Featured Refinements: Miniature Medal
- Type: Badges
- Conflict: World War II (1939-1945)
- Service: Army
- Era: 1945-Present