For the para lovers

[George L]

Had this for a while, fellas. Kind of a neat piece being Assmann marked on the reverse. Enjoy!

[George L]

Closeup

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[George L]

Back

Rasied Assmann mark under the prongs on the right.

[Mike Yokum]

Nice clasp George.

What you have there is the 3rd pattern para clasp. Here is my 1st pattern, also with raised "A" for Assman.

Both 1st and 2nd pattern had pins for attaching to the uniform. 3rd pattern had prongs.

[Mike Yokum]

And here is the matching stickpin...

[DavidM]

Hello

Very nice para badges from the post war West German forces

Regards
David

[George L]

Thanks Mike! Question for you. I would've guessed the other way around on which is 1st pattern (with prongs) vs pin. Why? First, the prongs example is closer to WW2 construction (identical to EKII spange prongs), while the clasp versions looks like a very modern attachment. Lastly, I would've thought they had the prong version, realized it was a pain to take on/off broken prongs, etc, and then went to the clasp pin version later. Just a guess....

Nice clasp George.

What you have there is the 3rd pattern para clasp. Here is my 1st pattern, also with raised "A" for Assman.

Both 1st and 2nd pattern had pins for attaching to the uniform. 3rd pattern had prongs.

[Uncle Kurt]

I asked some old veterans of the early Bundeswehr paratroopers to the badge with the prongs.
No one could tell me what these teeth are?
The veterans have seen this model before.
Manufacturers of this first model of my knowledge Assmann and Steinhauer & Luck.

[LuckyLuudje]

Interesting clasp, thanks for showing
I wasn't aware of the version with sprongs.
I wouldn't have expected to see this hardware post ww2.

I actually know nothing about Bundeswehr items (if not new form).
But I have 2 of these clasps in a group that came with new form items
(the 57's are temporary not in my possession).

[LuckyLuudje]

This is the hardware from Assmann that I have seen more often:

[Mike Yokum]

Thanks Mike! Question for you. I would've guessed the other way around on which is 1st pattern (with prongs) vs pin. Why? First, the prongs example is closer to WW2 construction (identical to EKII spange prongs), while the clasp versions looks like a very modern attachment. Lastly, I would've thought they had the prong version, realized it was a pain to take on/off broken prongs, etc, and then went to the clasp pin version later. Just a guess....

Hey George,

Whenever I've seen these clasps offered om dealer websites (mine came from Detlev Neimann) the type with pinback is classified as "1st Pattern" while the type with prongs is "3rd Pattern." There is a 2nd Pattern with a different type of pin on the back. I'll look for some pics to display although that may be difficult as these are more rare these days.

[George L]

That silver posted by Luud looks a bit crude on the back. While I know DN knows a ton about militaria, I'd disagree with him on this one.

[Mike Yokum]

This little guy came along with a photo I just received so I thought I'd add it to this thread. Nope, it's not the same one I posted previously in this thread. The detail on these clasps is crazy good given they are only 5.9cm x 1.6cm.

[Mike Yokum]

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[Mike Yokum]

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