{"product_id":"wwii-german-luftwaffe-pilot-observer-badge-unmarked-two-piece-construction","title":"WWII German Luftwaffe Pilot\/Observer Badge-Unmarked Two-Piece Construction","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered here is a German Luftwaffe Pilot\/Observer Badge (Flugzeugführer- und Beobachterabzeichen) featuring the classic flying Luftwaffe eagle clutching a swastika within an oval oak and laurel leaf wreath. The Pilot\/Observer Badge was awarded to Luftwaffe personnel qualified in both pilot and observer duties.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example features \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo-piece construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a separately manufactured eagle mounted across the wreath. The eagle displays deeply rendered feathering throughout the outstretched wings, body and tail, while the surrounding wreath exhibits well-defined oak and laurel leaf details. The original contrasting finishes associated with this award are now largely subdued, leaving an attractive dark gray patina with exposed highlights along the raised surfaces and edges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunmarked\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and shows the separate construction particularly well. The eagle is attached to the wreath at two points, while the wreath is equipped with a vertical pin system consisting of an upper barrel-style hinge and lower catch. Two-piece construction with a separately attached eagle and vertical pin arrangement is characteristic of period Luftwaffe Pilot\/Observer badges, although construction varied among manufacturers.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo manufacturer marking is visible. Because Luftwaffe flight badges have been extensively reproduced—and reproductions can duplicate two-piece construction, rivets and period-style hinge\/catch hardware—we have \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot attributed this badge to a specific wartime manufacturer or represented it as definitively wartime-original without further authentication\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall condition is good, showing age, finish loss, oxidation\/patina and handling wear consistent with the photographs. The eagle and wreath remain intact and the reverse hardware is present. An attractive example of one of the most recognizable Luftwaffe aviation qualification badges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43376440705101,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/536F4B0C-EB3C-4D89-8002-F9A29A169422.jpg?v=1786141035","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/wwii-german-luftwaffe-pilot-observer-badge-unmarked-two-piece-construction","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}