Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 91:
Description
Offered here is an original Imperial German Commemorative Badge for Army Airship Personnel, commonly known among collectors as the Zeppelin Badge, awarded to veterans of the German Army airship service for qualifying service during the First World War. Although conceived from the wartime airship tradition, the badge was formally issued in the immediate postwar period, circa 1920, to recognize the comparatively small number of men who had served as operational crew aboard German Army rigid airships during 1914-1918. The badge features a finely rendered rigid airship in profile set horizontally across an openwork oval wreath of oak and laurel foliage, tied with a bow at the upper center. This crownless configuration is characteristic of the Army airship commemorative badge and corresponds closely with documented original examples. The wreath retains strong botanical detail, while the airship shows clearly defined hull, control surfaces, and gondola details. The reverse is of solid openwork construction and retains its horizontal pin, barrel hinge, and catch assembly. A faint period stamp is visible on the reverse of the airship body. The surfaces exhibit natural age, toning, and wear throughout, with strong surviving detail and an attractive untouched appearance. Original examples of this badge are scarce, reflecting the very limited size of the Imperial German Army airship service. Contemporary reference material notes that only around 500 genuine wartime Army airship crew personnel qualified for this form of postwar recognition. A highly desirable Imperial German Army Airship Crew Commemorative Badge, directly associated with veterans of Germany’s Zeppelin and rigid-airship operations during the First World War. Condition as photographed.
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