Reconnaissance Clasp, in Gold (with "200" pendant)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.GTR.0717.401.01.002
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
A well preserved example of a Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Flyer Clasp; in gilded tombac; the obverse with a central laurel wreath with a leftward facing eagle’s head in the centre, a static swastika on the bottom of the wreath, with nine laurel wreaths on either side of the wreath; horizontal slender banjo style pinback, barrel hinge, and round wire catch; attached is a “200” hanger for 200 reconnaissance flights; measuring 76.15 mm x 25.52 mm; weighing 25.8 grams; with the gilding approximately 95% preserved, with only minor loss on the reverse from gentle period wear; overall extremely fine condition.
The first Flight Clasps were introduced on January 30, 1941 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Göring. Every airman flying missions, no matter their role, was eligible to obtain them. The Bronze grade clasp was awarded for participation in 20 combat missions, the Silver grade clasp for 60 missions, and the Gold grade clasp for 110 missions.
The clasps were either die-struck or die-cast. Early specimens were made of tombac, an alloy with a high copper content. As the war progressed, copper, which had to be imported to Germany, wasn’t as readily available anymore, which led to production being switched over to using zinc. Zinc was of lower quality, but cheap and abundant.
Cloth versions of clasps exist, but they are extremely rare.
In June of 1942 a pendant with a star was added to the Gold grade clasp as an additional grade to honour those airmen that achieved a very high number of missions flown. Depending on the type of clasp, the number needed for achieving this varied. On April 29, 1944 new pendants were introduced. The star was replaced by a number plaque. The number displayed started at 200 and rose in increments of 100 up to 2000. These later pendants are always made of zinc and are of lower quality than the clasps.
Only two clasps are known to have ever been awarded as a special version with diamonds, one Short-Range Day Fighter Clasp and one Air-to-Ground Support Clasp.
The Flight Clasps were designed by Professor Sigmund von Weech.
The Reconnaissance Clasp was among the first clasps to be introduced on January 30, 1941. The star pendant was awarded for 250 missions. The clasp shows an eagle’s head.
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