rittmeister@earthlink.netDer Rittmeister Militaria, LLC. Imperial German Merchandise
Page 11: Flight Badges for Imperial Germany, Other Central Powers, and Selected
Allied Flight Badges. Updated 24 June 2009. Contact us @: rittmeister@earthlink.net
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Prussia
11-484
XBB PRUSSIAN ARMY PILOT BADGE - HALLMARKED .800 SILVER - C.E.
JUNCKER.
11-325 PRUSSIAN ARMY COMMEMORATIVE PILOTS BADGE. This is a one-piece Prussian Army Commemorative Pilot’s Badge. This badge was worn by pilots when they were no longer actively flying, due to retirement or injuries. The manufacturer of this badge was Friedrich Keller, a firm with which I have not had experience. The badge has a fine swollen pin. It does show some aging in the finish on the obverse and reverse. $595.00
11-455 PRINZENGROßE COMMEMORATIVE PILOT BADGE. A tradition developed in Germany of producing decorations and badges in a reduced size known as prinzengroße. Prinzengroße badges and decorations typically measure anywhere from half up to two-third's of a full-sized badge or decoration. Today we are offering the Prussian Army Commemorative Pilot Badge in the prinzengroße size. The purpose of the Commemorative Pilot Badge was to recognize pilots who were no longer on active flying status. It was also referred to as the "Retired Pilot Badge." Photos from the mid 1940's show Hermann Göring wearing a Commemorative Pilot Badge. This example measures 1 3/4’ x 1 1/8." It has excellent detail to its obverse. Like all badges of this type, it has a cutout center. The reverse sports a flat pin and hallmarking for .900 silver. It is a fine badge in top condition. $650.00
11-359 PRINZENGROßE PRUSSIAN COMMEMORATIVE ARMY PILOT BADGE. This is a very interesting example of a Prussian Commemorative Army Pilot Badge in the prinzengroße size. This badge would have been used by pilots who were no longer actively involved in flying. It is sometimes called a "Retired Pilot’s Badge." It was used when a man was no longer flying, perhaps due to wounds or other health considerations. This badge is about half the size of a regulation-sized badge. It measures 1 3/4" x 1." It is a one-piece design, and hallmarked for .800 silver. The detail to the badge is delightful. This would make a good addition to any collection. $450.00 . . .
This badge was worn by pilots who were no half to two-thirds the size of a full-sized badge. It is of the stamped (cliche) type which was similar to how most wound badges were produced. It is well made, with a very thin pin. $450.00
11-445 PRUSSIAN ARMY COMMEMORATIVE PILOT’S BADGE - PRINZENGROßE.
$595.00
11-430 PRUSSIAN ARMY PILOT’S BADGE - PRINZENGROßE. This is a prinzengroße example of the Prussian Army Pilot’s Badge. While a prinzengroße example of the Pilot Badge is scarce enough, this particular example is scarcer yet. Please note the small loop on the Hohenzollern Crown at the badge’s top. This loop allowed one to attach the half-sized badge to a medal bar, thus revealing that the wearer had been a pilot during the Great War! The detail on the obverse is quite striking, particularly on the excellent oak and laurel leaves. The manufacturer’s and .800 silver content hallmarkings appear on the reverse. Furthermore, two small weepholes reveal this is a two-piece, hollow badge that has been soldered together. It is very well made, and in excellent condition.
11-414 PRUSSIAN ARMY GUNNER’S BADGE - MINIATURE. This is a miniature of a Prussian Army Gunner’s Badge. The badge is vaulted, which is highly unusual. A large jump ring is attached to the smaller jump ring on the badge. This miniature is in excellent condition. $450.00
This is the Prussian Army Pilot’s Badge in the form of a stickpin. It is beautifully detailed. You can even tell the difference between the oak and laurel leaves. $150.00
11-403 PRUSSIAN ARMY PILOT’S BADGE STICKPIN.
14-334
PRUSSIAN ARMY PILOT’S BADGE RING.
11-439 XFB ARMY OBSERVER’S BADGE. This is a consignment piece. This is a late WW I example of the Prussian Army Observer’s Badge. It has a bright, silvered finish on the obverse. The enameled observer’s device is in very pleasing condition. Overall, it is in good condition. It would make a worthy addition to your collection. $595.00
11-459 XST PRUSSIAN ARMY PILOT BADGE.
This is a consignment item. The Prussian Army Pilot Badge was first
authorized in 1913, a full year before WW I began. On the obverse is an oak
and laurel leaf wreath tied at the bottom by a bow. The badge’s center
features an early Taube in flight over a quiet German village. This
is all topped by a Hohenzollern Crown. The reverse shows it is a
plain-backed example. A weephole is visible at the badge’s top. This allowed
gas to escape during the soldering process. It also identifies this as a
two-piece hollow badge, another extremely-desirable trait among flight
badges. The badge’s center is hallmarked for C. E. Juncker, the
well-known Berlin firm, and .800 silver. Juncker was the
best-known among the various firms that produced flight badges. They
certainly produced some of the best! Many collectors believe Juncker only produced flight badges. This is NOT the case. Juncker was
a full-line military effects supplier. They produced some of the best
privately-purchased Garde du Corps helmets, as well as a full line of
uniforms, etc. $895.00
11-460 XST PRUSSIAN ARMY OBSERVER BADGE.
This is a consignment item. The Prussian Army Observer Badge was first
authorized in 1913, a full year before WW I began. On the obverse is an oak
and laurel leaf wreath tied at the bottom by a bow. In the badge’s center is
a red, black, and white enameled observers’ emblem. This is all topped by a
Hohenzollern Crown. The reverse reveals the badge is a highly-desirable
raybacked model. A weephole is visible at the badge’s bottom near the catch.
This allowed gas to escape during the soldering process. It also identifies
this as a two-piece hollow badge, another extremely-desirable trait among
flight badges. Clips appear on the badge’s reverse where the observers’
emblem is attached. The badge’s center is hallmarked for C. E. Juncker,
the well-known Berlin firm, and .800 silver. Juncker was the
best-known among the various firms that produced flight badges. They
certainly produced some of the best! Many collectors believe Juncker only produced flight badges. This is NOT the case. Juncker was
a full-line military effects supplier. They produced some of the best
privately-purchased Garde du Corps helmets, as well as a full line of
uniforms, etc. $895.00
11-471 XBB PRUSSIAN ARMY OBSERVER BADGE - HALLMARKED .800 SILVER - C.E. JUNCKER. This is a consignment item. It is a Prussian Army Pilot Badge, measuring 3" x 2." It shows a superb finish. The obverse’s detail is quite absorbing. The obverse also displays an attractive patina. The reverse quickly shows it is a highly-desirable hollow two-piece example. Directly below the catch, a small weephole reveals where the gases escaped when the badge’s two halves were soldered together. The reverse displays hallmarking for the badge’s manufacturer AND its silver content. It was produced by Berlin’s well known firm, C. E. Juncker. It features the traditional half moon and crown markings, along with ".800," to indicate its silver content. It is an enchanting badge in magnificent condition. This is a rayback example. $995.00
11-472
XBB PRUSSIAN ARMY GUNNER BADGE - HALLMARKED .800 SILVER - C.E.
JUNCKER.
This is a consignment item. It is a
Prussian Army Gunner Badge. This badge was the last flight badge authorized for use during WW I. The
air war had developed so that two-seater airplanes were being used as ground
attack/troop support aircraft. Instead of an observer, a "gunner" was assigned
to the rear cockpit to man its machine gun (s). The badge was first used in
January 1918. It features a handsome finish.
The obverse’s detail is quite vivid. The obverse also displays a sumptuous
patina. The reverse quickly shows it is a highly-desirable hollow two-piece
example. Directly below the catch, a small weephole reveals where the gases
escaped when the badge’s two halves were soldered together. The reverse
displays hallmarking for the badge’s manufacturer AND its silver content. It
was produced by Berlin’s well known firm, C. E. Juncker. It features
the traditional half moon and crown markings, along with ".800," to
indicate its silver content. It is an appealing badge in gorgeous condition.
It is a plain-back example.
I have one final piece of information to share with you. In my experience,
badges as finely-made as this were manufactured at some point AFTER WW
I had ended. The badge’s quality is extremely high. Silver was already scarce
in January 1918. It remained so through the war’s end in November 1918, and
for months afterwards. This is a fantastic badge. It just may not be a
wartime-production badge.$1,150.00
11-473
XBB PRUSSIAN ARMY GUNNER BADGE - HALLMARKED .800 SILVER - C.E.
JUNCKER.
This is a consignment item. It is a
Prussian Army Gunner Badge, measuring 3" x
1 3/4." This badge was the last flight badge authorized for use during WW I. The
air war had developed so that two-seater airplanes were being used as ground
attack/troop support aircraft. Instead of an observer, a "gunner" was assigned
to the rear cockpit to man its machine gun (s). The badge was first used in
January 1918. It displays a fine finish. The
obverse’s detail is quite dazzling. The obverse also displays a ravishing
patina. The reverse quickly shows it is a highly-desirable hollow two-piece
example. Directly below where the top of the badge’s pin swings down into
place, a small weephole reveals where the gases escaped when the badge’s two
halves were soldered together. The reverse displays hallmarking for the
badge’s manufacturer AND its silver content. It was produced by Berlin’s well
known firm, C. E. Juncker. It features the traditional half moon and
crown markings, along with ".800," to indicate its silver content. It
is an enchanting badge in magnificent condition. It is a plain-back example.
I have one final piece of information to share with you. In my experience,
badges as finely-made as this were manufactured at some point AFTER WW
I had ended. The badge’s quality is extremely high. Silver was already scarce
in January 1918. It remained so through the war’s end in November 1918, and
for months afterwards. This is a fantastic badge. It just may not be a
wartime-production badge.
$1,150.00
Bavaria
11-453 ARMY LAND PILOT BADGE - BAVARIA.
11-476
XBB BAVARIAN ARMY PILOT BADGE - HALLMARKED SILBER - CARL PÖLLATH.
This is a consignment item. It is a Bavarian Army Pilot Badge, measuring 3" x
1 3/4." It has a lovely finish. The obverse is quite charming. The obverse also
displays a sumptuous patina. The reverse quickly shows it is a
highly-desirable hollow two-piece example. Directly below where the top of the
badge’s pin swings down into place, a small weephole reveals where the gases
escaped when the badge’s two halves were soldered together. The reverse
displays hallmarking for the badge’s manufacturer AND its silver content. It
was produced by the well-known Bavarian firm, Carl Pöllath. It is also
hallmarked "Silber" in the Bavarian manner. It is a captivating badge,
in magnificent condition. It is a rayback example.
This is a consignment item. It is a Bavarian Army Pilot Badge. As is the case with all Bavarian Flight Badges, it features Bavaria’s Wittelsbach Crown rather than Prussia’s Hohenzollern Crown. The badge sports a luscious frosted finish, which shows signs of aging. The obverse’s detailing is quite pleasing. The reverse reveals that it is a raybacked badge. Furthermore, it is a high-quality, two-piece hollow example. The badge’s top features a weephole under the pin assembly. This is where the gasses escaped during the soldering process. The badge is hallmarked for "silber" and its manufacturer, Karl Pöllath. It is an attractive variation of the Bavarian Army Pilot Badge. $995.00
11-482 XST BAVARIAN ARMY PILOT BADGE.
11-478
XBB BAVARIAN ARMY OBSERVER BADGE - HALLMARKED SILBER - CARL PÖLLATH.
11-479
XBB BAVARIAN ARMY GUNNER BADGE - HALLMARKED SILBER - CARL PÖLLATH.
This is a consignment piece. It is a high-quality stickpin with a miniature of the Bavarian Army Pilot’s Badge. This piece has a magnificent patina. It is unhallmarked for manufacturer or silver content. It sports a knurled pin. These are far more difficult to find than Prussian Army Pilot’s Badge Stickpins. $250.00
11-423 XRB BAVARIAN ARMY PILOT’S BADGE STICKPIN.
Navy
11-425 PRINZENGROßE NAVAL SEAPLANE PILOT’S BADGE. The Kaiserliche Marine had three separate, distinct air arms. First was the Airship Division. Then in the fixed-wing area came the Land and Sea Divisions. Each of these two divisions had a complete and separate force. Consequently, their pilots wore two distinctly different badges. The Land Plane Pilot’s Badge features a scene of a castle by the seashore. The Seaplane Pilot’s Badge features Helgoland Island in the distance. In terms of scarcity, the full-sized Land Plane Pilot’s Badge is much scarcer, as the Land Plane Division’s Jastas were far fewer. It is just the opposite with prinzengroße flight badges. The Naval Seaplane Pilot’s Badge is by far the more difficult-to-find. In all my collecting/dealing years, I have seen only ONE other example of this badge. Our badge is a one-piece, massive design. It is in exquisite condition. The detail on the obverse is magnificent. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a prinzengroße example to go along with your full-sized badge. $625.00
This is a consignment item. It is a Navy Land Plane Pilot’s Badge in prinzengroße size. Prinzengroße flight badges are seen on a scattered basis, but were highly favored by Naval aviators. Our example measures 2" x 1/8." It has a fine gilt finish. The reverse sports a flat pin with hallmarking under it for Godet. The hallmarking style indicates it is a post WW I example. It most likely hails from the 1920's. I have seen very few Godet flight badges. The quality of this example is right up with any other Godet pieces I have ever seen. $895.00
11-440 XJB PRINZENGROßE NAVY LAND PLANE PILOT’S BADGE.
11-421 NAVY
OBSERVER’S BADGE - PRINZENGROßE SIZE.
This is the prinzengroße version of the Navy Land Plane Pilot’s Badge. Prinzengroße-sized flight badges are typically one-half to two-third's the size of full-sized badges. This example measures 1 3/4" x 1 1/32." It has a fine gilt finish. It has excellent detailing on the obverse. The reverse is unhallmarked for manufacturer or silver content. Yes, Navy flight badges did come in .800 silver with a gilt finish over them! $495.00
11-391 XJB NAVY LAND PILOT’S BADGE - PRINZENGROßE.
11-462 XST NAVY SEAPLANE PILOT BADGE.
This is a consignment item. I am always pleased when I can offer you a Navy
Flight Badge. As most of you know, Imperial German Flight Badges were issued
by three entities: Prussia, Bavaria, and the Navy (Kaiserliche Marine).
The Prussian and Bavarian variations were offered for army pilots. Prussia
authorized its badges for ALL Germany’s pilots, except Bavaria. This
kingdom/state went its own way (as usual). It authorized flight badges
displaying the Wittelsbach Crown rather than the Hohenzollern. The
Kaiserliche Marine also offered their own flight badges, which differed
greatly from both the Prussian and Bavarian Badges. The biggest difference
was that all Navy Badges issued in wartime were gilt-toned, rather than the
silver-tones of the Army Pilot Badges.
Another big difference was that the Navy issued TWO different types of pilot
badges. The Navy had land-based squadrons whose aircraft were rigged as
seaplanes, with floats (rather than wheels) that enabled them to land on
water. The squadrons operated both single-seater and two-seater aircraft. [A
bit later in the war the Navy operated Land Plane Squadrons (Jastas).
The squadrons in question were single-seater fighter-aircraft operating in
Flanders. I believe five Jastas existed. They produced most of the
Navy’s top aces].
The two naval badges appear quite similar, but subtle differences exist.
Both measure approximately 3" x 1 3/4." They are similar in size to Army Badges.
Each badge features an albatros in flight, with the sun above it. The Land
Plane Badge depicts a city or castle on the badge’s lower part. The Sea
Plane’s Badge features the island of
Helgoland in the distance. These two scenes are the ONLY difference between
the two. As previously stated, both are gilt-toned, and each is topped by a
Hohenzollern Crown.
Our badge’s detail, and the condition of the obverse are quite pleasing. The
reverse reveals that the badge is of the one-piece, "massive" style. That
is, it was struck from a single metal planchet. The other two badge
types were the two-piece hollow (the most desirable), and the stamped
(cliche). Over the years I have seen fewer of the two-piece Navy Badges
than I have the one-piece massive. The reverse also displays a flat pin. The
pin is stamped .800 for silver. Thus, this is a silver-gilt badge,
wherein a gilt coating was laid over .800 silver. The badge’s overall
condition is quite pleasing. It has been some while since I have offered
such a badge. $950.00
11-395
NAVY LAND PILOT’S BADGE STICKPIN. Navy flight badges were produced
in much smaller numbers than their Prussian Army counterparts. The Navy Land
Plane Pilot’s Badge was worn by aviators who flew in Navy (Marine)
Jastas. This is the stickpin for the Navy Land Plane Pilot’s Badge. It
has a fine burnished finish with very good detail. This is a difficult
stickpin to obtain.
$495.00
13-594
NAVY LAND PLANE PILOT’S BADGE RING.
Army & Navy Zeppelin & Misc. Zeppelin
$695.00
21-136 PRE WWI ZEPPELIN BADGE. Before WW I the Zeppelin Company operated zeppelins on a commercial basis. Zeppelin Abteilungs also existed within the German Army. Zeppelins were operated by Prussian, Saxon, Württemberg, and Bavarian crews. The real tradition and interest, however, were on the civil side. Germans flocked to ride aboard zeppelins whenever they could. The crews that operated these non military zeppelins were allowed to wear an exclusive pin that identified them as crew and employees of the Zeppelin Company. These badges measured 1 3/4" x 1 1/2." At the top of the badge was a Hohenzollern Crown. Below this was a beautifully constructed eagle. In the eagle’s center is the silver Zeppelin Company logo on a black enamel background. Some damage has occurred to the enamel center, and repairs made to cover up the damage. It has been well done, but we felt that it was important to mention its presence. The name of the manufacturer, Mayer & Wilhelm, is listed on the reverse. It also states the firm was from Stuttgart, the capital of Württemberg. Friedrichshafen, where zeppelins were built, was a part of that Kingdom, and Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin was a member of their nobility. These pins are very difficult to find. I have seen only one or two others in my time.
11-415 COMMEMORATIVE NAVY AIRSHIP BADGE - MINIATURE. This is a miniature of the Commemorative Navy Airship Badge. The badge has amazing detail for its size. It is in excellent condition. $450.00
This is a very high-quality miniature was mounted onto a pin. This was then used by a veteran. This is a silver badge that is hallmarked .800 silver on the badge’s reverse. Its superiority and detail are quite striking for such a small item. As is correct for a full-sized Commemorative Navy Airship Badge, it displays a Hohenzollern Crown. The stickpin is in excellent condition. $295.00
21-109 SILVER COMMEMORATIVE NAVY AIRSHIP BADGE STICKPIN.
This is a very high-quality miniature was mounted onto a pin. This was then used by a veteran. This is gilt on silver. Its superiority and attention to detail are quite striking for such a small item. As is correct for a full-sized Commemorative Navy Airship Badge, it sports a Hohenzollern Crown. This example is quite unusual due to its gilt finish. While all other naval flight badges were gilt-toned, the Navy Commemorative Airship Badge was silver like its Army counterpart. A half moon and crown, along with the silver content (.800) are marked on the reverse. It is a lovely miniature. $325.00
21-110 GILT COMMEMORATIVE NAVY AIRSHIP BADGE STICKPIN.
11-480
XBB COMMEMORATIVE NAVY AIRSHIP BADGE - STICKPIN.
11-481
XBB COMMEMORATIVE ARMY AIRSHIP BADGE - STICKPIN.
Austrian & Central Power Flight Badges
This is a fine example of a 1st Model Navy Pilot’s Badge. What is unusual about this badge is that it is prinzengroße-sized. The obverse features an eagle or albatros in flight over a crowned anchor. It also displays a two-color band of enamel. On the reverse we find that the badge is a pinback. It has no manufacturer’s hallmarking. It is a fine badge. $795.00
11-420 AUSTRIAN NAVY PILOT’S BADGE 1st MODEL.
This is a very fine example of an Austrian Army Field Pilot Badge. It is of the type that was awarded before WW I, then during the early and mid-war years. It was awarded up until the death of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1916. A second version was authorized during Kaiser Karl’s (1916-1918) reign. Our badge consists of a lovely green enameled wreath, topped by an enameled Hapsburg Crown. An eagle with outspread wings is featured in the badge’s center. Its wings actually extend past the wreath’s edges. At the bottom of the badge is an enameled shield displaying Kaiser Franz Joseph I’s cypher. The reverse features a pair of spring clips. This was the preferred way to mount a badge like this on a tunic. Pinbacks were used, but this was the more popular and common method of mounting the badge. We also see the manufacturer’s name, J. Zimbler. Zimbler was the Austrian Kaiser’s court jeweler, and produced ultra high quality orders, decorations, and badges. The badge’s overall condition is excellent. $695.00
11-485 AUSTRIAN ARMY FIELD PILOT BADGE.
This is a consignment piece. Upon completion of flight school, graduates were given a badge that was a prelude to the Austrian Field Pilot’s Badge. The badge measures 2 1/2" x 2 1/4." It is silver toned. It is a heavy, stamped badge and well-struck. $350.00
11-424 XRB FLIGHT BADGE - AVIATION SCHOOL COMPLETION - AUSTRIA.
This is a consignment item. Today we are offering you a very fine example of the Bavarian Army Pilot Badge. The Kingdom of Bavaria opted to offer its own series of flight badges rather than use the one that was issued by Prussia. [The Prussian Badge was used by all German states, except Bavaria]. The primary visual difference is that Bavarian Flight Badges display Bavaria’s Wittelsbach Crown, rather than Prussia’s Hohenzollern Diadem. The various flight badges’ other details all are identical.
11-457 XJB BAVARIAN ARMY PILOT BADGE.
The Imperial German Navy had two different flight qualification badges for pilots. One was the Sea Plane Pilot Badge, and the other was the Land Plane Pilot Badge. The Land Plane Pilot Badge was not instituted until WW I had begun. It was used primarily by Marine Jastas in Flanders. This example displays a handsome gilt finish. It sports a flat, square pin on its reverse. It is not hallmarked. It comes in a brown leatherette case, which measures 3 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 3/4." The upper inside lid is covered in white silk. The case’s red-velvet interior bottom half is fitted to accommodate the badge. It is a fine example. $1,595.00
11-486 NAVY LAND PLANE PILOT BADGE - ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CASE.
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