Prussian pilot's qualification badge : German Air Service

Place Europe: Germany, Prussia
Accession Number REL/17018
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Badge
Physical description Silver
Maker Unknown
Place made Germany
Date made 1914-1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Silver hollow Prussian pilot's breast badge, with backing plate and broad pin fitting. The badge features a Taube, an early military monoplane, flying over a countryside scene, surrounded by a wreath. The wreath features laurel leaves [victory] on one side and oak leaves [strength] on the other. the wreath is finished in a bow at the bottom, and is surmounted by an Imperial crown. The backing plate is stamped with an unknown manufacturer's mark and a 900 silver content stamp.

History / Summary

Silver qualification badges were approved by the German Air Service shortly before the start of the First World War. Most wartime crews wore the Prussian designs, with minor changes to the badges worn by Bavarians. There were also variations in quality, particularly between issued versions and those purchased privately.