Extremely rare original Army Paratrooper Badge (Fallschirmschützen-Abzeichen des Heeres). On 4 October 1936 the Army ordered the institution of its own parachute company, a 'Fallschirm Infanterie Kompanie'. On 1 June 1938, the Fallschirm Infanterie Kompanie was officially expanded to the 'Fallschim Infanterie Batallion'. On 1 September 1937, 'Generaloberst Freiherr von Fritsch' authorized the Army paratrooper qualification badge. Members of the Fallschirm Infanterie Bataillon continued to wear their original issue Army paratrooper badges after the transfer to the Luftwaffe on 1 January 1939. On 18 December 1943 all former members of the Fallschirm Infanterie Bataillon were officially awarded the Luftwaffe version of the paratrooper badge, but very few opted to wear it in place of their original Army badges. The Army Paratrooper badges were designed and produced by the company of 'CE Juncker' from Berlin, there was a first and second pattern. Members of the Fallschirm Infanterie had the option of purchasing a badge in 800 fine silver from local jewelers. These badge were also manufactured by 'CE Juncker', and were of extremely high quality and detail. These silver badges normally would have the persons Name, Rank and Unit engraved on the reverse. This badge is marked with '800' (silver) and is engraved with the name of 'Uffz. E.Ritterhoff' (Erich Ritterhoff) from the 'Fallschirm-Inf.Btl.'. There is a period repaired catch that protrudes through the wreath. There was no special case for the Army Paratrooper Badge, this badge comes in an Iron Cross, LDO marked, case. The badge has allways been in this case, you can clearly see the imprint of the badge, as it have been with the family for decades. I bought this badge which came directly from the family about 8 years ago. The buyer of the badge decided to offer the badge for sale again. These badges are hardly ever offered for sale on the open market. Stunning original Badge of the utmost rarity!