KOMET for comment

[LOTHRINGEN]

Hi,

a friend just caught it at a small show in France ... He bought a second one but want to keep it. Seller too him that both were dig out in Normandie.
i only have these pics.

i think it could have a chance

[LOTHRINGEN]

a

[LOTHRINGEN]

size is approx 7x3cm

[Willi Z.]

Xavier, I think it has a chance as well. The Komet is shaped properly. A matter of whether the seller was truthful.

[LOTHRINGEN]

seller is not a dealer but a collector ... i try to find more information

[Uncle Kurt]

These comets were carried by German parachute jumpers only in Italy.
Why found in France / Normandy?

[LOTHRINGEN]

Sorry Kurt ... my mistake !
In Britany !!! It was purchased last Sunday during QUIMPER (Bretagne - not Normandie) to a local collector.

[LOTHRINGEN]

But that won't help because you said it is only worn in ITALY

[Uncle Kurt]

Yes ONLY in Italy it was worn.
It's dangerous to say it's original or not.
These badges are easily copied.
The offer fon ebay! it is wrong
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Mutzenabzeich...QAAOSwImRYQGG~

[Uncle Kurt]

If you do not get such a badge from a veteran, I'd be careful.

[Ironcrown]

These comets were carried by German parachute jumpers only in Italy.
Why found in France / Normandy?

This should be considered a commemorative badge of the Lutlande Sturm-Regiment. From mid 1942 this regiment was used to form other units. I Btl became I/FJR12 (active in Italy from 1944), II Btl became II/FJR5, III Btl became III/FJR5 and IV Btl became II/FJR6. So it's possible that some veteran was in Bretagne in 1944.
In 1944 the Komet became the symbol of the entire 4.FJD in Italy, because its FJR12 was called "Sturmregiment" and carried out the traditions of the old Luftlande Sturmregiment.

That said, I have no idea if this can be considered an original badge or a Christmas tree decoration Since these were field made it's always hard to say when and why they were made without a verified provenance

[Uncle Kurt]

Carried on the cap, these comets were first taken by Regiment 12 in Italy
not previously!

[Ironcrown]

Not only!
Also veterans of the LLStR in general wore it!
The Major depicted in this picture is Kleye, commander of I/FJR11 that was killed at Anzio on 10th February 1944. You can see that he's wearing a Komet on his cap, as earlier in the war he belonged to the LLStR!

And telling the truth, the paratroopers of the FJR12 that actually wore this badge in 1944 were very few. I've never seen personally a Komet that was ground dug on the Gothic line!

[Uncle Kurt]

I correct 11 and 12 regiments have worn it.
The photo you show is done at the 11th combat school of Italy

[HILL192]

Here is one i found in dug in Brittanny fallschirmjager camp.
Hill192