1557 EXTREMELY RARE US COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGES IN

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
GOLD FOR THE 5th, 6th, 7th, AND 8th AWARD OF THE CIB. These Combat Infantry Badges in gold are so rare they are nearly never seen on the collectors’ market. The first 4 awards were in silver, and the gold badge was authorized by Army Regulation 672-5-1 in 1963 to represent the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th award. Although authorized, no gold award has been officially issued to a soldier. The silver CIB with 2 stars for the 3rd award has only been issued 325 times, and no soldier has ever earned the silver badge with 3 stars. The design for the gold badges was approved on the 11 October 1963. L.G. Balfour was awarded the contract to produce the badges on 15 May 1964. 12 samples of each of the large size badges, and 12 samples of each of the miniature size were produced by Balfour and sent to the Institute of Heraldry. The badge received final approval by Lt. Col. Steve G. Davis, Commanding Officer of the Institute of Heraldry on 10 May 1965. The badges are sterling silver with 1/10 10K gold plating. The background of the musket panel is blue Duco. The reverse on the 5th, 6th, and 7th awards are marked “BALFOUR 1/10 10K GF” for one tenth ten karat gold filled. The reverse of the 8th award is unmarked. The badges are 3” across. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: photocopies of information pertaining to the authorization and production of the 4 gold CIB awards. A copy of a letter from Balfour discussing production of the badges. A copy of shipping documents from Balfour to the Institute of Heraldry. CONDITION: all badges are in unissued condition. (02-20922/BF). $3,000-5,000.