The image on this badge is that of Icarus, the winged hero of mythology who flew to close to the sun, with the word 'Flieger' (flyer) to celebrate the heroes of the Austrian air force in WW1. There is a small maker's mark on the reverse in a trefoil shape with the initials B W S for Lenkwerk Bruder Schneider (of Vienna).
Typically these badges were sold to raise money for the widows and orphans of the relevant units and were normally worn on the left-hand side of the Austrian field cap. Sometimes as many as six were worn all together.
It has 95% of its original dull grey patina with one small patch of abrasion at the base of the front. There is some old metal polish and verdigris on the reverse.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Militaria : Badges : Austrian : 20th Century]
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