WW2 German Wehrmacht Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber mit der Einsatzzahl – PANZER ASSAULT BADGE IN SILVER – 50 ASSAULT GRADE – NICE!

Description

You are bidding on a VERY NICE example of a 100% ORIGINAL WW2 German Wehrmacht Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber mit der Einsatzzahl (Panzer Assault Badge in Silver – 50 Assaults)

The Panzer Assault Badge in silver was instituted on December 20, 1939. It was awarded to all ranks of tank personnel who served as a tank commander, driver, gunner or radio operator and had been involved in three different armored assaults on three different days. Similarly, on June 1, 1940 a Bronze version of the Panzer Assault Badge was introduced for award to Panzer-Grenadier, medical, and armored car personnel who participated in three different armored assaults on three different days.

By June 1943 it was realized that the Panzer Assault Badge didn’t sufficiently recognize the number of assaults participated in by armored personnel, which resulted in the introduction of the numbered Special Grade of the Panzer Assault Badge in both silver and bronze versions on June 22, 1943. The numbered Special Grade of the Panzer Assault Badge were awarded with the numerals, 25, 50, 75 and 100. The numbered badges followed the basic design of their un-numbered predecessors but were larger and had the addition of an inset rectangular plate with a numeral to the bottom of the wreath.

Made of Zinc by Juncker, this badge is in VERY NICE (somewhat restored) condition. Though most of the original silver finish is missing, all details are still SUPERB. It features a broad, vertically oval oak-leaf wreath with a Wehrmacht style eagle with down-swept wings superimpose to the top center, encompassing the cut-out, forward profile of a tank. The tank barrel, one track and a fender overlap the wreath on the right hand side. The separate, scooped backed tank is secured to the wreath by two small dome headed rivets which are visible to the reverse. The bottom center has a small, horizontally, rectangular panel with a separate, inset plate with embossed numerals, “50” and a raised outer edge.

I suspect it was dropped at one time, as is features a crack on the right side (see photo). The “50” has also been replaced after the war (probably went missing and eventually replaced by the veteran). Both the pin and catch are original to this set. Though unmarked, it is characteristically a Junckers-made piece. This was originally purchased from Detlev Niemann, and comes complete with the original COA, dated 2005. Would make a FANTASTIC addition to any collection or display!