Germany, Luftwaffe. A Ground Assault Badge, by Rudolf Karneth

(Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe). Constructed of silvered and patinated zink, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, overlaying a stylized cloud from which a lightning bolt emanates and strikes the ground, the reverse with three visible rivets securing the eagle in position, with a barrel hinge emanating from a crimped base and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch emanating from a circular base, maker marked with the logo of Rudolf Karneth, Gablonz, demonstrating near-total loss of finish to the base metal with minor oxidation visible to the lower right edge of the reverse, in very fine condition.