Description
Product Description: This Silver Panzer Assault Badge is a gorgeous and very eye-catching example of this iconic combat award. This is a zinc based version. In contrast to most of these wartime produced zinc badges, this example still retains most of the lovely original factory applied silver finish, with great shine. Some light wear to the high points of the design exposes the dull gray base metal, which adds visual contrast. All of the original detail is intact. The reverse of this lovely Silver Panzer Assault Badge is what might be called semi-hollow, with recessed areas behind the tank. There is no maker mark, but this variant is known to have been produced by the firem of Wilhelm Deumer. The hardware setup features a sheet metal hinge and round wire catch with catch plate, and is all original, with no repairs. The round wire attachment pin is functional. This is a choice example of a Silver Panzer Assault Badge. The condition rates as excellent.
Historical Description: Instituted on December 20th, 1939, the silver Panzer Assault Badge was created to recognize the combat achievement of Panzer crewman who met the combat requirements set forth by the German High Command (OKW). On June 1st, 1940, following the blitzkrieg against France (Fall Gelb), a bronze grade was introduced to include armored reconnaissance, motorcycle riflemen, and panzer-grenadier units. The requirements for both versions were the same, the soldier must have participated in three combat assaults on three separate days to be eligible. As with all the combat badges, multiple assaults on a single day still only counted as one combat day. The Panzer Assault Badge consists of an oakleaf wreath surrounding a Panzer (Tank) with the German National Eagle positioned at the top, clutching a swastika. The Standard Panzer Assault Badges are still seen at military shows, even now. The German Army had thousands of Panzer crewmen who became eligible for the award as the war progressed. Because of the large number of soldiers who had fulfilled the requirements for the award, a high demand for producing of the Panzer Assault Badge was needed. In response to this, approximately 35 manufacturers were authorized to produce the award between 1939 and 1945. Many of these manufacturers created their own version of the badge by artistically designing their own version of the eagles, wreaths, and tanks on the badge. The design of one Panzer badge may not be identical to the next one encountered. This makes the collecting of the different manufacturers, and their variants, its own niche in the hobby. In recent years, the Panzer Assault Badge has become a popular collectible, and as a result, fewer are seen on the market today than in years prior.
With nearly 30 years of expertise handling, collecting, and studying some of the finest and scarcest military collectibles, Empires Past offers the best prices for your collectibles.
We purchase German, American, and Japanese Military Artifacts.
FROM SINGLE ITEMS TO ENTIRE COLLECTIONS…
WE ARE ALWAYS BUYING!!!
