An authentic hollowback WWII German Heer (Army)/Waffen-SS Infantry Assault Badge that has unfortunately lost it's catch. Unmarked on the reverse but has the crimped barrel hinge hardware typical of B.H. Mayer, Pforzheim. Displays very well, see photos for condition.

The Infantry Assault Badge (German: Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was a German military decoration awarded to Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during the Second World War. This decoration was instituted on 20 December 1939 by the Commander-in-Chief (Oberbefehlshaber) of the German Army, Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of infantry and Gebirgsjäger (mountain infantry) units that had participated in infantry assaults, with light infantry weapons, on at least three separate days of battle in the front line on or after 1 January 1940.

When a counter-offensive led to fighting, it could also apply. Award of the Infantry Assault Badge was authorized at the regimental command level, and mechanized or motorized infantry were not eligible for the original badge. A bronze variant of the Infantry Assault Badge was created in June 1940, authorized for motorized and mechanized infantry units, with similar award requirements as the original silver variant.