Original WWII German Maker Marked CLOSE COMBAT CLASP IN Bronze. (Nahkampfspange in Bronze) Certified

Original WWII German CLOSE COMBAT CLASP IN Bronze. (Nahkampfspange in Bronze)  Certified. The Close Combat Clasp series of awards were introduced on November 25TH 1942 for award to personnel who fought in hand-to-hand combat situations unsupported by armor. The Clasp was issued in three grades of Bronze, Silver and Gold with each successive grade signifying more days spent in hand-to-hand or close combat. Criteria for award of the clasps consisted of fifteen days of hand-to-hand combat for bestowal of the bronze clasp, thirty days of hand-to-hand combat for bestowal of the silver clasp and fifty days of hand-to-hand combat for bestowal of the gold clasp. There was also a prescribed, combat to time served ratio, enabling long serving personnel to be eligible for award of a clasp. Nicely detailed, die struck alloy construction clasp. The clasp features a central square panel with a recessed background field with an embossed national eagle with out-stretched wings, positioned above a crossed bayonet and grenade, flanked by four oak-leaves and dual acorns superimpose on a ribbed, horizontal outward, pointing base. The reverse has a solid, soldered, hinge inset into a rectangular recess with raised outer edges, a broad, tapering, horizontal pin and catch inset into an oval recess with raised outer edges all intact.  the small plate on the back is now missing (see photos)   in good condition slight patina on the zinc. Complete museum documentation (COA) Provided. Certified by The Gettysburg Museum of History. The Gettysburg Museum of History does not support or condone Adolf Hitler or the Nazi Party and is only offering this as a historic relic. Please see our other items.  Very nicely maker marked!   Also note when browsing our web site there are several pages of items, at the bottom of the list look for other page numbers. Don’t miss this, combat used VERY RARE Example. Nicely maker marked!