WW2 GERMAN ARMY WAFFEN SS INFANTRY ASSAULT BADGE IN SILVER SHuCo

Good die forged example with sharp details, faded gray overall appearance with faint trace of silver finish. Light pitting and wear to edges. Maker marked S.H.u.Co. (the famous toy manufacturer). Crimped pin and hook assembly.

The badge was instituted on December 20th 1940 by  Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch, and was to be awarded to non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger. To qualify for the IAB, soldiers had to have participated in Infantry Assaults, with light weapons, over at least three days on the frontline from January 1st 1940. A counter offensive leading  fighting at short distances would also qualify. The award of the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen was authorized at regimental command level or higher. In a special occasion on May 28th, von Brauchitsch himself awarded the first two recipients, an officer and an enlisted man.