Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a German WWII Luftschutz Ehrenzeichen zweiter Stufe (Air Defense Honor Badge 2nd Grade), complete with its original ribbon, and even still with the original presentation box! It is marked 10 on the aluminum hanger ring, the Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number for Förster & Barth of Pforzheim, a German city known for it's clothing accessory industry. This is one of the rarer makers from the city.

The 2nd grade Luftschutz medal was awarded for those who gave meritorious service to the civil air defense of Germany from January 1933 onward. It is constructed out of a die struck zinc-alloy base that has been silver washed. The obverse features a centrally placed mobile swas in a pebbled field, which is surrounded by FÜR VERDIENSTE IM LUFTSCHUTZ (For Merit in Air Defense). The reverse is marked 1938, also in a pebbled field.

Both sides are surrounded by an oak leaf wreath that is tied together at the bottom. To the top is an integral loop and an aluminum ring. It comes with the original lavender, white, red and black rayon ribbon, till folded up as issued inside the original box. This is marked on the lid with the correct designation for the award in German:

„Luftschutz-
Ehrenzeichen
2. Stufe“

The award does not look to have ever been issued or worn, however it definitely does show some wear from storage and age. The original silver wash on the badge is about 50% retained, with the rest having oxidized over the decades. The ribbon is in great shape, with just a bit of age toning. The original box is unfortunately somewhat crushed, and the fabric hinge at the end is torn through. We have never had one of these with the original box before, as they are delicate and few have survived to this day.

A lovely award from the Air Defense in WWII Germany, complete with the original box and ready to display!

History of the RLB
The RLB was organized by Hermann Göring in 1933 as a voluntary association. Existing volunteer air raid precaution associations were forced to merge with RLB. In 1939 the RLB became a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization), while in 1944 it became an affiliated organization of the NSDAP Party. It was in charge of educating and training ordinary German men and women in civil defense procedures necessary for the basic level of local self-help of the civil population against air raids. The local level was formed around air raid wardens and operated in small first intervention squads. The training include fire fighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids.