LUFTWAFFE PILOT BADGE IN GOLD WITH DIAMONDS
This is a daily wear, jeweller’s copy of the Luftwaffe Pilot Badge in Gold with Diamonds. The originals were made by R. Stübiger of Vienna. Reichsmarschall Göring conceived this award during the summer of 1935, with the first bestowal taking place on November 11,1935. It is noteworthy that both the inception and first presentation predate the introduction of the Combined Pilot's and Observer's Badge, which was introduced on March 26, 1936. During the war, on October 19, 1939, Göring raised the badge’s status to that of an official decoration.
This jeweller’s copy is marked “IMIT” which is an abbreviation for “IMITANT” in German meaning imitation or replica. Our set of molds was taken directly off of an unassembled award ensuring that the Pilot Badge in Gold with Diamonds that we produce is an exact reproduction of that original badge. To the best of my knowledge these are the only molds of this particular badge in existence.
The general appearance of the eagle differs from that of the presentation badge. The wings are slightly smaller and the wingspan measures 62 mm. The depth of the left wing is 11 mm and the right 12.5 mm. The eagle is solid 925 sterling silver with open back, claw-mount cavities into which are set the 103 stones. This also allows the stones in the wings and body to have light coming from behind. The design of the eagle and how the individual feathers are placed on the wing is also different in this badge. The edges of the feathers are all slightly pebbled. The upper parts of the wings are highly polished, which compliments and enhances the appearance of the eagle. The general appearance of the eagle is stylized; the legs are spread with a gap between them. There are 32 stones in the right wing and 38 in the left. A total of 16 are inlaid in the eagle's body. The cross measures 12.5 mm across and the individual arms are 3.5 mm wide. Seventeen small stones are inlaid in the arms of the national emblem. There were approximately 50 of these rare badges awarded with SS-Oberstgruppenführer Josef 'Sepp' Dietrich being one of the recipients.
EUROPEAN CRAFTSMANSHIP: Our diamond awards are made in Europe by a skilled jeweler who has over 40 years experience in the repair and restoration of Third Reich awards and badges. Each of the 103 stones is handset using a diamond setter’s microscope to ensure proper mounting and seating.
NOTES:
- There are a total of 103 Swarovski zirconia “diamond” stones with each being securely claw-mounted in the 103 cavities. Swarovski zirconia is a created stone and is the most perfect simulated diamond in the world.
- The eagle is cast in solid sterling silver.
- The wreath is cast in solid sterling silver and 14k gold plated.
THE LUFTWAFFE PILOT BADGE IN GOLD WITH DIAMONDS SET: Includes an aged case and a 4x6 photo of Sepp Dietrich - $795.00 US (S&H included).
