Original German WWII Cased Luftwaffe Silver Grade Front Flying Clasp for Bombers & Dive Bombers (Kampf & Sturzkampfflieger)

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition German WWII Luftwaffe Front Flying Clasp in Silver Grade, as issued to Bomber (Kampfflieger) & Dive Bomber (Sturzkampfflieger pilots and crew who had flown at least 60 missions. Officially this version of the award is termed the Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Silber in German.

This example is in great shape, showing light wear and a lovely tarnished patina on the silver portions, which gives it a great patinated look. The central device is antiqued nickel silver and shows light wear. The back clip is intact, and works beautifully. The central wreath and oak leaves on the sides still have most of the silver wash intact, something we rarely see! It has oxidized a bit, and the reverse of the badge has not retained the silvering as well. The back pin is made from magnetic steel, while the rest of the badge except for the insignia non-magnetic zinc alloy.

The Clasp comes complete with its original dark blue leatherette hinged case, with an inlet velvet bottom, and white satin top. It still shows the original markings on the top in German Textura Black Letter type, which is a bit worn:

Frontflugspange
für Kampfflieger
ſilber

The case is in good condition, showing wear to the leatherette with some tearing on the corners. The latch and hinge are both still intact and fully functional. A great example of a hard to find military decoration, complete with the very hard to find case!

The Front Flying Clasp (Frontflugspange) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to aircrew and certain other Luftwaffe personnel in recognition of the number of operational flights flown. It was instituted by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on 30 January 1941. It was awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with an upgrade to include diamonds possible. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions obtained in a given type of aircraft. Front Flying Clasps were issued for missions completed in the following Luftwaffe aircraft:

- Day Fighters
- Night Fighters
- Long Range Night Fighters
- Heavy Fighters
- Air to Ground Support Fighters
- Bombers (Including Dive Bombers)
- Reconnaissance
- Transport and Glider

All badges are formed of a central device (usually blackened) encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves set between two stylized wings of oak leaves with a swas located at the base of the wreath. Clasps measure approximately 7.5 cm (3 in) by 2.5 cm (1 in). The various designs of the central device was determined from the type of aircraft flown. The clasp pennant was instituted as additional recognition for the increased number of operational missions/flights, which grew as the war continued.

Criteria for qualification:
Bronze - 20 flown missions
Silver - 60 flown missions
Gold - 110 flown missions

Pennant to the Gold Front Flying Clasp

Day Fighters and Transport Units: 500 missions
Air to Ground Support Fighters: 400 missions
Bombers, Air Sea Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance: 300 missions
Reconnaissance and Night Fighters: 250 missions