Early Luftwaffe Pilot Badge in Tombak by BSW (Gebruder Schneider, Wein)

The heavy, die struck badge carries the slightly smaller and delicate looking eagle that is characteristic of the pilot badges produced by this Austrian firm . Th eagle is affixed to the silvered wreath with two small domed rivets and it retains much of its dark burnishing. The reverse of the eagle bears the clover leaf mark of the BSW firm. The silver wreath has a fine, uncleaned patina. Also characteristic of BSW pilot badges,  the piece has a wide narrow barrel hinge, and a “C” catch that is formed from a piece of stout wire, with the stem of the “C” catch neatly soldered into the wreath at a right angle. The two outer sections of the barrel hinge are correctly finished in silver, while the inner section is darkened along with the pin, although the darkened burnishing of the pin has worn off to a certain extent from wear of the badge. Overall the badge is in excellent condition.