Hi,
The LW Close Combat Clasp was instituted very late in the war on 3 November 1944. The award was in three grades just as the Heer version, and the number of close combat days matched between the Heer and LW. As this award was approved so late, there is much controversy if any wartime examples were produced. The awarding definitely happened to LW personnel on paper in their Soldbuch. Evidence from provenance groups shows the awarding on paper, however the LW member wore the Heer version CCC. This award is often faked in the TR version. I have seen several examples of TR era LW clasps (not CCC) that were modified with the 57er S&L Eagle center piece. The problem is the swaz remains at the bottom of the wreath. In TR approved form, the eagle would be holding the swaz, and no swaz would be present on the wreath bottom. Unfortunately genuine TR and 57er awards were destroyed attempting to make these "fakes".
In 1957 Ordensgesetz Form...............
One of the more difficult 57er series to complete, especially with any solid hinge block awards. Produced by S&L, these were probably the closest many veterans ever came to the award that was actually won, and authorized during the war.
Note: One way to check fakes of the 57er version is the eagle centerpiece (riveted piece) should be Silver on all three grades. Sometimes the fakers vary the color based upon the grade.
Best,
Jeff
The LW Close Combat Clasp was instituted very late in the war on 3 November 1944. The award was in three grades just as the Heer version, and the number of close combat days matched between the Heer and LW. As this award was approved so late, there is much controversy if any wartime examples were produced. The awarding definitely happened to LW personnel on paper in their Soldbuch. Evidence from provenance groups shows the awarding on paper, however the LW member wore the Heer version CCC. This award is often faked in the TR version. I have seen several examples of TR era LW clasps (not CCC) that were modified with the 57er S&L Eagle center piece. The problem is the swaz remains at the bottom of the wreath. In TR approved form, the eagle would be holding the swaz, and no swaz would be present on the wreath bottom. Unfortunately genuine TR and 57er awards were destroyed attempting to make these "fakes".
In 1957 Ordensgesetz Form...............
One of the more difficult 57er series to complete, especially with any solid hinge block awards. Produced by S&L, these were probably the closest many veterans ever came to the award that was actually won, and authorized during the war.
Note: One way to check fakes of the 57er version is the eagle centerpiece (riveted piece) should be Silver on all three grades. Sometimes the fakers vary the color based upon the grade.
Best,
Jeff
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