July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Lot consists of 31 Combat Infantry Badges which date from WWII through the Vietnam War and into the modern era. The badges are quite diverse, with no two badges being exactly the same. Some of the badges are marked "Sterling" with several of the badges marked "E & H SIMON / STERLING GI" on the reverse. 1 is marked "J. BALME FRANCE". Several exhibit foreign clasps, with one interesting example featuring a German WWII style badge clasp, and was most likely crafted for a soldier participating in the occupation of Germany after WWII. Another example is marked "LUDLOW / LONDON". Two of the badges were converted to bracelets. Perhaps the most interesting example is a CIB with 3 stars denoting fighting in 4 different wars. There is controversy around this award, given the requirements, but these badges were authorized but never awarded. AR 672-5-1 dated 3 May 1961 prescribed up to the fourth award of the CIB, and it is mentioned in regulations through the 1960s. This example is marked "N.S. MEYER, INC. / NEW YORK" on the reverse. CONDITION: Some badges exhibit tarnishing and others exhibit enamel loss. Overall fair-very good. PROVENANCE: Roger Bender Collection. JLD
Item Dimensions: 7 - 1/2" X 7"