BACKGROUND: The Panzer Assault Badge in silver was instituted by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch on December 20^TH 1939 for award 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. The institution order indicated the criteria for award of the badge was to be effective as of January 1^ST 1940. Of Note: On June 1^ST 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. Also Of Note: 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^ND 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.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck alloy construction, partially scooped backed, badge with a silver washed finish features a vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with a Wehrmacht style eagle with down-swept wings, clutching a canted swastika in its talons, superimpose to the top center, encompassing the forward, cut-out, profile of a tank. The badge retains about 65% of its original, heavily age dulled, silver wash with spots of wear to the flat matte grey of the base alloy and numerous small lifting bubbles. The reverse of the badge has scooped depressions to the tank barrel and body. The reverse has a crimped, soldered, hinge, a thin, round, vertical pin and a soldered catch on a circular base plate all intact. The pin is slightly bent but still functions. The reverse of the badge is well marked with the embossed, manufacturer’s name and location, "Frank & Reif Stuttgart".

GRADE ***                             PRICE $298.00