Norwegian SS Volunteer "Frontkjemper" Badge

[erikofnorway]

Here is one of my Norwegian SS Volunteer Frontkjemper Badges. Other collectors have shown theirs here, so I thought I would show this one.

The badge is the type with silver stamp under the shield and a thin pin. This badge seems to have been worn on a uniform. It also retains a nice untouched silver patina. Very often the Norwegian volunteers have polished their badges after the war making them very shiny.

This badge is also for sale on estand:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=295990

[erikofnorway]

Here is the back side, showing the thin pin. There is another version with a wide pin, which I believe was switched over to after to many broken pins. You can imagine that this thin pin cannot withhold much in combat situations. This is also why you often see think pin badges with replaced/repaired pins.

[erikofnorway]

Here is a different view of the backside showing the distinct reverse of these badges. They have been copied post war, but the copies I have seen are made from castings directly from an original. Thus they are slightly smaller and has lower silver weight. There are also other details to look for.

There are also at least 2 different replacement awards made after the war by the volunteers themselves. But these are easily distinguishable from the originals. One is made of zinc and the other with a completely different reverse side and pin assembly.

[erikofnorway]

Here is a photo showing it in wear on a Norwegian SS Volunteer.

[erikofnorway]

Here is another one showing it in wear.

The were awarded to all Norwegian volunteers having served on the front. The majority were SS volunteers, but I have also seen pictures of Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine volunteers.

[Askold]

Great badge and a fantastic looking photo of the badge in wear - I never seen one so clear.

[erikofnorway]

Here is one more with a receipient wearing a Hird uniform. I don't know where I got this picture, so I will be happy to remove it if it belongs to someone else here.

These badges are my favorites and truly the "trademark" of the Norwegian volunteers.

[erikofnorway]

It is estimated that about 6000 Norwegians received their Frontkjemper badges during the war. In addition, it was also awarded to a selected few foreigners, usually from their service in Norwegian SS units or for support. Here is a picture of German Friedrich Ziegler wearing his Frontkjemper Badge. He was in Frw. Legion Norwegen and later in a Dutch SS unit.

[semenov]

The were awarded to all Norwegian volunteers having served on the front. The majority were SS volunteers, but I have also seen pictures of Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine volunteers.

Do you have it (LW and KM)?

[erikofnorway]

I do not have any pictures myself, but somewhere I have seen picture of a Norwegian KM soldier wearing the FK badge.

[erikofnorway]

Here is another picture, showing Norwegian volunteers receiving the SS Germanic Proficiency Runes. The uniform on the right is Germanske SS Norge (GSSN). Many old outdated black SS uniforms from Germany were sent to Norway and issued to GSSN members. I have seen them still with the LAH and rzm tags and often with German names still in them. GSSN had 1200 members, many of which were Waffen SS volunteers.

[erikofnorway]

Here is an example of a fake FK badge. Notice the difference on the back side. Since most dealers are unfamiliar with these badges, even big and reputable dealers have been known to sell fakes.

[DeMil]

Hi Erik.

Very nice badge you have and some good photos too

When the soldiers recived the Frontkjemperbadge, they recived it in a black box with a miniature as seen in the picture.

Regards
Derek

[erikofnorway]

Hi Erik.

Very nice badge you have and some good photos too

When the soldiers recived the Frontkjemperbadge, they recived it in a black box with a miniature as seen in the picture.

Regards
Derek

Yes Derek, you may even remember when I bought it some years ago, because you were there. It is for sale now on estand because I am buying my 1943 GPW Jeep this weekend. I know....no Kubelwagen for me. But the Jeep will be a blast.

I still do not have a box for a Frontkjemper Badge. But I think the Frontkjemper Badge is the most desirable foreign volunteer item of World War 2. Everyone should have at least one!!!!!

[DeMil]

Yes Derek, you may even remember when I bought it some years ago, because you were there. It is for sale now on estand because I am buying my 1943 GPW Jeep this weekend. I know....no Kubelwagen for me. But the Jeep will be a blast.

I still do not have a box for a Frontkjemper Badge. But I think the Frontkjemper Badge is the most desirable foreign volunteer item of World War 2. Everyone should have at least one!!!!!

I agree Erik

When it comes to cars I am planning to sell my Kübel and buy me a Schwimm.
The ultimate German car

Derek