Close combat badge

[Larry Davis]

Could anyone tell me what the centre or insert of the close combat badge is made of?

Is it steel/iron or some other blackened metal?

Cheers.

[Wim Vangossum]

I'm not 100% shore but I think you could find them both. Magnetic steel or in a non ferrous metal.

Regards, Theo

[Thomas Durante]

Larry,

Theo is correct, steel and tombak are both known to be original materials. Most cases, you will find a magnetic, steel backplate. Rarely, blackened tombak was used, exclusively found on Juncker clasps.

Tom D.

[Robin Lumsden]

I have a CCC in Gold (unmarked, but definitely by F&B) that had a brass backplate.........before I 'lost' it. I was about 14 years old at the time. I still have the clasp.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Robin,

Can you post some pics of your clasp here? You say unmarked, but definately by F&B?? Would this be Foester & Barth and if so, how did you reach this conclusion?

Although I have personally never encountered a backplate made from tombak (or brass) on any other clasp other than Juncker CCCs, I don't doubt that there are exceptions to this rule. There were no regulations as far as I am aware that specified the backplate material to be used, and like many latewar clasps, any materials that were available were used.

Tom D.

[Robin Lumsden]

Hi Robin,

Can you post some pics of your clasp here? You say unmarked, but definately by F&B?? Would this be Foester & Barth and if so, how did you reach this conclusion? Tom D.

It's Funk & Bruninghaus.......same die characteristics as their marked badges. It's shown in my TRM book if you have a copy.........I'll try to take pix when I get a chance.