Introduction

On 25 November 1942, the Close Combat Clasp was instituted for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The award was given in three classes:
For 15 days of combat a Bronze Class was awarded.
For 30 days of combat a Silver Class.
For 50 days of combat a Gold Class. If the soldier was wounded in battle, the criteria was reduced to 10, 20 and 40 days. It was also given as a posthumous award and presented to the next-of-kin in a certificate. In addition the award was also retroactive credited for those soldiers who participated since the initial invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941.

For 8 months service, 5 close combat days were credited.
For 12 months service, 10 close combat days were credited.
For 15 months service, 15 close combat days were credited. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket. The award was authorized to be presented by regimental commander or equivalent. Combat days were entered in the soldier’s record and certified. A certificate was awarded in conjunction with the CCC.

The decoration was designed by the military artist Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus. Normally on the reverse left side of all CCC you’ll find the "FEC" (meaning from the Latin "Fecit" (made by) followed by "W.E. Peekhaus" (the artist name) and Berlin. On the right side the manufacturer’s logo or name.

The badge was die-cast and made of either Tombak or Zinc, with a slightly curved and hand centerpiece consisting of the national emblem surmounting a crossed bayonet and hand grenade. The centerpiece was cut out and backed with a thin, flat square steel, crimped in place on the reverse. The badge was lacquered with a composition called "Brennlack," which was a powdered metal. When oven heated the paint was burned, leaving a metallic type coating that will flake off with time. The pins are normally wider in the center, tapering at the ends. The length of the CCC varies between 95 to 97mm. The weight could be anything between 24 and 37gms depending on the metal used.

Reverse Close Combat Clasps

Notice the reverse of the three class CCC's. The top Bronze and Silver Class are made by Juncker while the Gold Class CCC is made by FLL. The average price for a nice piece is in Germany around DM 2400 for the normal one without the top hook. There is a great book called "Die Träger der Goldenen Nahkampfspange" by Manfred Dörr."

German Manufacturing Firms

The following is a list of known manufactures:
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Metall und Kunststoff, Gablonz (A.G.M.u.K. Gablonz)
C E Juncker, Berlin Friedrich Linden, Luedenscheid (FLL)
Funcke & Brueninghaus, Luedenscheid (F&BL)
Hymmen & Co, Luedenscheid (H&C/L)
Gebrueder Wegerhoff, Luedenscheid (GWL)
Rudulf Souval, Vienna (R S)
Josef Felix Sohne, Gablonz (JFS)

Gold Combat Clasp

The Gold, Close Combat Clasp was regarded by Hitler as the highest infantry decoration. On 26 March 1944, Hitler exercised the right to personally present the Gold, CCC but this was not the definitive rule. Other high personalities from the German Army (i.e. Guderian as OKH head and Himmler as Chief of the Ersatz Heer since the 20 July 1944 plot) also proceeded to award CCC in Gold.

According to Mr Dörr's book which is the most comprehensive source on that matter;
Himmler awarded Gold CCC in 3 occasions: 1- 10/23/44 : to 7 soldiers in the Führerhauptquartier, 2- 12/12/44 : to 83 soldiers at the Rathaus in Ulm, 3- 02/16/45 : to 16 soldiers in Bernau.
Hitler personally awarded 14 Gold CCC to officers and men of the Army and Waffen-SS on 27 August 1944.

On 30 August 1944 a decreed was issued for those receiving the Gold CCC were automatically to receive the German Cross in Gold. According to Angolia's book "For Führer and Fatherland" it indicates that official records show that 536 Gold CCC were awarded, 100 to enlisted, 302 to NCO’s and 134 to Officers by the end of April 1945.
About 97 Waffen-SS men of all ranks received this class.

Other sources indicate about 692 known Gold Close Combat awards.
It should be noted that there were two types of Gold Close Combat Awards. A Gold CCC so-called deluxe version showing on the reverse a top hook located behing the eagle, in which the backing plate is held in place by a small central rivet. It also does not have a maker's mark.

According to Mr. Dörr's description of the ceremonies, the Gold Deluxe Clasp was awarded but at some of the ceremonies an adujant followed behind and handed out a normal wear piece to the recipients as well.
Not every Gold CCC recipient got one of the Deluxe, Gold Clasp. Many, especially in distant frontline areas, just got the normal Gold CCC.