Cased Luftwaffe Air Gunner Badge by BSW

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Luftwaffe Awards > Air Gunner Badge

A Luftwaffe Fliegerschützenabzeichen ohne Blitzbündel by Bruder Schneider A.G. - Wien. The Air Gunner and Flight Engineer badge was awarded to air gunners, mechanics (flight engineers) or aircrew meteorologists who had completed two months of training or had taken part in at least five operational flights. It is a two-piece construction, made out of die struck tombak that has been silver washed / blackened. The obverse the badge depicts an open-winged Luftwaffe eagle in front of a half laurel leaf and berry half oak leaf and acorn wreath and has a mobile swastika to the very bottom. The full back reverse of the badge correctly displays the “BSW” maker mark behind the eagle. It also features; a soldered on tombak barrel hinge, soldered on tombak round wire catch, tombak round wire pin and two rivets. All of the components are non-magnetic and continue to work well. The badge retains beautiful details throughout the eagle’s wings head and wreath! It measures approximately 2 1/8 inches tall by 1 5/8 inches wide. It comes housed in its appropriate matching BSW case. The case is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated grained blue leather (Lederimitat). To the front is a round steel spring loaded push button. To the back is a steel, staggered, piano hinge. To the very top in the silvered Gothic style gold script it reads: “Luftwaffen- Fliegerschützen- abzeichen”. The interior-bottom of the case is constructed out of a pressed cardboard base that is covered in a spray on blue fibrous felt and is outlined in a white border. The top has that same fibrous felt. The case measures approximately 3 1/16 inches wide and 3 5/16 inches deep and 1 inch thick. This piece comes with a COA from Militaria-Berlin stating that it has “Officially Removed Lighting Bolts”. A matched assembly, a desirable piece!