West Germany Fallschirmjager Spange

[Gordon Craig]

I'm wondering if there was enough time between the awarding of the basic U.S wings and introduction of the first set of Bundeswehr wings for a BW paratrooper to graduate from jumpmaster school and accumulate enough mass tactical jumps to have been awarded U.S Senior and / or Master Wings.

Yet another bit of Bundeswehr history that is poorly understood over here in North America.....

Glueck Ab!

TJ

TJ,

I don;t think the timing of the introduction of the BW wings comes into it. If they followed the same route as the pilots wings the paratrooper could wear the next highest BW para wings when he met the BW qualifications to do so and the U.S. wings when he had met the qualification for them.
Be nice to see a picture of a BW para wearing a set of BW para wings and a set of U.S. para wings beyond the basic qualification set.

Regards,

Gordon

[Uncle Kurt]

I did not believe that a paratrooper still time sheep to the next level.
I still know old eagle from the first time the Bundeswehr.
Man has the color wheel and worn only at the beginning.
At a higher level of U.S. insignia, it was agreed / no longer supported.
Neither must we forget the jumpers, the U.S. Parachute Badge wearing, the German parachute wrestlers wore badges and insignia on the US-rigger of a uniform.



PS:
excuse me for my english.
I translated to my computer

[Guardian 5]

Team - Some interesting West German Airborne commemorative plaques have appeared on Manion's lately, along with a U.S. Ranger Class B (Tan) uniform badged up with a set of bronze BW wings.

First the plaques.

[Guardian 5]

Next plaque.

[Guardian 5]

And finally, the uniform.

[Guardian 5]

Close-up.

[Gordon Craig]

TJ,

Interesting stuff. It never ceases to amaze me what you find on Manions that I have missed!

Regards,

Gordon

[Mike Yokum]

Hello gents,

I was hoping to get some clarification on two models of para clasps.

I have been under the impression that the first type pictured, with pin-back, is the 1st Pattern and the second type pictured with prong-back is either the 2nd or 3rd Pattern. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks in advance for your help,

[Mike Yokum]

...

[Guardian 5]

Mike - Nice wings!

Check out Gordon Craig's post #13 on page one of this thread for a look at the evolution of the BW jump wing.

You appear to have two variations of the 1957-1958 or "2nd Pattern" badge, both by the unfortunately named firm of Assman.

According to Harry Pugh, author of German Airborne Insignia 1956-1992, the 1957-1958 badge was produced in four grades:
- Bright Silver (Officers)
- Antique Silver (Enlisted Men)
- Gold (Bundesmarine / Navy)
- Embroidered (Reservists)

As alluded to above, you seem to have variations of variations; two different models of the badge issued to enlisted men; both by Assman!

As you follow the earlier discussion of this badge, you'll see that actual veterans of the Bundeswehr strongly contend that the gold (Navy) version was never actually produced. No one on the forum has been able to produce either a period pic of the gold version or an example from their collection.

Your photos are intriguing in that they appear to be two variations of the enlisted model produced by the same firm with different finishes and different clasps.

We may get some good discussion on this post, thanks for sharing.

All the best - TJ

[Mike Yokum]

I just picked up this little guy and thought I would add it to this thread for posterity sake. The detail is amazing given it is only 5.9cm x 1.6cm!

Typical Assman quality!

[Mike Yokum]

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[Mike Yokum]

2

[Mike Yokum]

3

[Guardian 5]

Mike - Outstanding pictures of a finely detailed badge. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

All the best - TJ