Original group of Wehrmacht General’s 21 mm Uniform Buttons, attributed to F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid. Each gilt button measures approximately 21 mm and features the distinctive finely pebbled General officer pattern. The exposed reverse carries the desirable EXTRA FEIN marking and period multi-piece construction. Several examples remain together on old card backing, creating an unusually attractive group for a specialist Wehrmacht General officer collection.
€ 60
10 in stock
This attractive group of Wehrmacht General’s 21 mm Uniform Buttons consists of matching gilt, finely pebbled buttons of the type worn by German General officers during the Third Reich period.
Each button measures approximately 21 mm in diameter. Several examples remain together on their old card backing, while a loose button allows the reverse construction to be examined clearly.
Most importantly, the exposed reverse carries the desirable “EXTRA FEIN” quality marking together with the characteristic maker device associated with F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid.
The combination of correct dimensions, period construction, convincing gilding and appropriate reverse markings makes this an excellent group for a serious German uniform or General officer collection.
F. W. Assmann & Söhne was one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of military uniform fittings. The company produced insignia, buckles, buttons and related components for numerous German organisations.
These Assmann Extra Fein buttons use a high-quality multi-piece construction. A gilt, finely pebbled outer shell forms the visible front, while a separate metal back plate supports the substantial wire attachment loop.
Around the edge, the gilt shell folds naturally over the back plate. In addition, the central shank reinforcement and surrounding pressed construction correspond closely with accepted wartime Assmann manufacture.
The reverse inscription “EXTRA FEIN”, meaning “extra fine”, indicated a superior-quality product.
Helmut Weitze documents an Assmann General officer button with essentially the same specification: gilt construction, EXTRA FEIN marking and a diameter of 21 mm.
Compare original Assmann General officer buttons at Helmut Weitze
The confirmed 21 mm diameter is particularly significant.
Documented Wehrmacht General officer buttons by Assmann survive in approximately this size. Consequently, the measurement supports the identification rather than relying only on appearance.
The 21 mm format was suitable for prominent tunic and uniform applications. Furthermore, original references show gilt General officer buttons appearing on the Feldbluse, Waffenrock and greatcoat.
Comparable patterns also appear in collections of Luftwaffe General officer insignia.
The finely textured fronts display the characteristic gekörnt, or pebbled, surface associated with German uniform buttons.
Unlike many modern reproductions, the detail does not appear artificially sharp or freshly cast. Instead, the pebbling shows natural production variation and subtle age softening.
The gilt finish also remains particularly attractive. Areas of slightly different tone occur naturally across the buttons, while minor age-related oxidation remains visible around protected surfaces.
This untouched character is desirable because excessive polishing frequently removes original gilt finishes from surviving General officer fittings.
The loose example provides especially useful authentication evidence.
Its back shows the expected contrasting metal plate, separately formed wire shank and rolled outer edge. The EXTRA FEIN lettering remains clearly visible.
The maker device is consistent with the type associated with Assmann of Lüdenscheid.
Equally important, the oxidation appears concentrated naturally around recessed surfaces and structural areas. I do not see obvious indications of recently applied artificial ageing.
Taking the construction, markings, 21 mm dimensions and overall finish together, I regard this group as original Third Reich-period General officer uniform buttons.
A significant part of the appeal comes from several buttons remaining together on their old card backing.
Groups of German uniform buttons occasionally survive in this form because manufacturers, tailors and military clothing depots stored unused buttons together on card.
The backing has genuine-looking wear, tearing and age deterioration. However, without surviving printing or a manufacturer’s label, it is safer to describe it as old period-style card backing rather than guarantee it as the original Assmann factory card.
The buttons themselves provide much stronger authentication evidence.
These Wehrmacht General’s 21 mm Uniform Buttons remain in very good collector condition.
Strong portions of the original gilt finish survive across the fronts. Meanwhile, minor storage marks and toning create an attractive, naturally aged appearance.
The loose example retains its attachment loop and clearly visible reverse markings.
No restoration is recommended. In particular, the gilt surfaces should not be polished or chemically cleaned because doing so could remove original finish and reduce collector value.
General officer uniform components survive in significantly smaller quantities than ordinary Heer fittings.
A coherent group of matching 21 mm Assmann Extra Fein General buttons therefore has considerably more appeal than a single loose example. Moreover, the surviving card arrangement creates a visually impressive display.
Such pieces also provide useful reference material when examining original General officer tunics because the dimensions, gilding and reverse construction can be compared directly.
For related material, view our collection of:
Original Third Reich Uniforms – Nordmenn Militaria
You can also compare other original German General officer uniform and dress items throughout the Nordmenn collection.
Item: Wehrmacht General officer uniform buttons Maker attribution: F. W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid Marking: EXTRA FEIN Diameter: 21 mm Finish: Gilt / gold-coloured Front: Fine pebbled pattern Construction: Multi-piece metal button with wire shank Period: Third Reich / WWII Application: German General officer uniform Assessment: Original period manufacture
