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WWII GERMAN BADGE - LUFTWAFFE UNQUALIFIED AIR GUNNER -

This is a WWII Luftwaffe Un-qualified Air Gunner badge. Instituted on June 1942. This badge was issued to individuals who participated in at least 10 missions under the role of Air Gunner.

Note that individuals who received this award were not officially trained as air gunners. The official air gunner badge was given to individuals who went to school for that role. The badge was essentially the same but the metal construction was reversed. The unqualified gunner badge was issued to individuals in recognition of their field experience.

The design of the badge consists of an oval shape structure. One half of the oval is adorned with oakleaves while the other is a wreath. A swastika is placed at the bottomn of the oval.

An eagle in attack position is placed secured as a second piece to the oval. The quality of construction for the eagle is excellent. Great detail to the feathers and head. The eagle is attached to the oval via the use of two rivets.

A vertical pin is provided to allow the badge to be affixed to the tunic. The pin is hinged at the top. A catch is provided at the opposite end to secure it shut. The badge would be affixed to the uniform by running the pin through a series of loops (two or more) sewn to the jacket.





This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German badges and awards. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points that should be noted.

One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German badge worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the badges and awards is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German badges in the collector's market is illustrated.

This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of MilitaryItems.com, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
  1. FAQ's
  2. Gunner Badge Anatomy
  3. Identifying fakes and reproductions
  4. RZM manufacturing codes
  5. LDO manufacturing codes
  6. Construction materials
  7. Pins, hinges and other
  8. Perspective view
  9. Purchasing a WWII German badge



The following are the qualifications required to earn the Luftwaffe Air Gunner badge.




The manufacturer's logo has been stamped on the back of the eagle. It is important to note that not all badges were marked.

Note the shape of the rivets securing the eagle to the body of the badge. They have a "domed" appearance. This is one of the parts that reproductions tend not to get correctly.




This award is currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the badge.



If you have an interest is seeing other badges and awards of the Third Reich, you can do so by going to our WWII German Badges and Awards identification guide. Where we cover Heer (Army), Navy (Kriegsmarine) and Air Force (Luftwaffe) items.







PRICING GUIDE INFORMATION

The value for WWII German Combat badges and other military antiques and collectibles is provided as a means to educate the collector community and individuals who have a general interest on the field. The following is an estimated value. Prices may vary in every state and every country. This service is provided courtesy of MilitaryItems.com. The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web.



Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Value $400.00 $425.00 $450.00 $475.00 $490.00 $510.00 $510.00
Availability Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare
Invest Grade A A A A A A A


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