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**SOLD**17/10**WWII Nazi ‘Gold Class’ Close Combat Bar. 22184:6. - 22184:6 The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was a World War II German military award designed by Ernst Wilhelm Peekhaus and instituted on 25 November 1942 for participation in hand-to-hand fighting at close quarters. Intended primarily for infantry, other Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS, ground Luftwaffe units and paratroopers were also eligible. The award was bestowed in three classes: Bronze for 15 days of close combat actions; Silver for 30 days of close combat actions; Gold for 50 days of close combat actions. Combat actions were counted from 1 December 1942, with earlier long service on the Eastern Front counting towards the award, with 15 continuous months counting as 15 combat days; 12 months as 10 days; and 8 months as 5 days. The clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket, above any medal ribbon bar. Only one badge, the highest level received, was worn. It was die-cast and made of either tombac or later zinc. The design of all three classes was the same, with a centrepiece consisting of the eagle and swastika national emblem surmounting a crossed bayonet and hand grenade with, each side, a spray of oakleaves, interspersed with a sunburst ray effect. The clasp is slightly curved and measures 9.7 cm by 2.6 cm. Nazi-era awards were initially banned by the post-war Federal Republic of Germany. In 1957 many World War II military decorations, including the Close Combat Clasp were re-designed to remove the eagle and swastika, and then re-authorised for wear by qualifying veterans. The badge would have been accompanied by an award certificate. This example is in excellent condition, with the pin and clasp fully intact. To the lefthand side, in three lines are the words Fec W E Peekhaus Berlin, and to the right AUSF. A.G.M.U.K. GABLONZ. See pages 177 -172 of Combat Medals of the Third Reich by Christopher Ailsby for reference. The price includes UK delivery. 22184:6 £0.00
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