German Finnish North Front Badge, Lappland 1941-1943

The German Finnish Nordfront Badge was an unofficial award produced in Finland for service in the Continuation War, 1941-1944 against the Soviet Union. Finnish and German military personnel who fought the Red Army in Karelia, Lapland and the Murmansk region were qualified for the award from Finland. Marshal Mannerheim of Finland ordered the badges to be handed out to Germans, while the badge was available for private purchase to Finns. Interestingly these awards had no official standing within the Wehrmacht, and were thus not mentioned in any Wehrpass or Soldbuch despite being a campaign style award. Because of their unofficial status, a total of 12 variations are known, with different central enamel backing colors, or different years of service. 3 types with different text designs for service on the Nordfront (North Front), Lapplandfront (Lappland Front), and Eismeerfront (Arctic Front) are known.

Most likely an early produced example, this rare version with black and white enamel to the front, Finnish Nordfront Badge is produced in tombak with blue, red, black, and white enamel. The hardware setup is classic and textbook for these, and features a screwback post with screw. The badge shows signs of age and real use with surface wear marks and a heavy age patina.

Scarce variant in used condition!!