Close Combat Clasp in Bronze With Reprinted Award Document

The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was instituted on November 25, 1942, to recognize the feats of German soldiers in close quarters combat. Units with soldiers who survived hand-to-hand fights with the enemy and other extremely close range combat actions would keep track of the dates and places of each of these battles, and soldiers who managed to make it through many of these fights became eligible for this award. Because only front-line troops with direct combat experience could earn this clasp, it was a regarded by the soldiers as a very prestigious award. The Close Combat Clasp was awarded in three grades: Bronze, for 15 close combat days; Silver, for 25 close combat days, and Gold, for 50 or more days of close combat. Hitler reserved the right to personally award the Gold Close Combat Clasp, which was widely regarded as more prestigious than even the Knight’s Cross. The total amount of these clasps awarded, in all grades, was fewer than 50,000.

Zinc construction Juncker Close Combat Clasp in Bronze with bronze color finish. The obverse shows signs of age and use. 95 percent of the original bronze finish remains. Reverse is maker marked with the name of the badge’s designer, Peekhaus in Berlin, and also maker marked by Juncker. The hinge, pin and catch are intact and functional. The steel backing plate is still held in place with the original crimps.

The badge comes with a award document re-print. The award document is for Oberwachtmeister Oskar Horn. Awarded 20.3.1943.

Getting harder and harder to find!!