Gold Tank Destruction Strip

Product Description: This is a very nice example of an extremely rare and desirable Gold Tank Destruction Strip. This is a high quality, early production piece, and a very sought-after variant. The woven rayon and gold wire strip is textbook and beautiful, showing only light age, with toning and one tiny spot around the tank. The applied tank emblem is crisply detailed, with nearly all of the original finish, as well as a slight, even patina from age. There are no stitch holes or other indication that this award was ever fastened to a tunic. On the reverse, this Gold Tank Destruction Strip retains the original, early type backing of blue wool felt. The backing shows light mothing, with some tracking and small holes. This is an important combat award that is missing from most collections. This one is in excellent condition, displays handsomely, and would be extremely challenging to upgrade.

Historical Description: The Tank Destruction Badge (Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer) was officially instituted by Adolf Hitler on March 9, 1942, to recognize the achievements of soldiers who were able to single-handedly destroy an enemy tank in combat using hand-held weapons. The award was authorized to be granted for soldiers who destroyed tanks in combat actions dating back to June 22, 1941, the date of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The criteria were strictly written and did not authorize issue of the award to crews of anti-tank cannons, but only to individual soldiers who destroyed tanks with weapons such as grenades, mines, or Molotov cocktails. The Tank Destruction Badge was issued in the form of a woven cloth strip, silver in color, that would be sewn to the upper right sleeve of the recipient’s uniform. Mounted to this cloth strip was a metal emblem representing a German Panzer IV tank, with a dark finish. The badge was issued for destruction of one tank, and soldiers who destroyed more than one tank could be awarded and wear a corresponding number of Tank Destruction Badges. On December 18, 1943, the German Army command instituted a second grade of this award, the Tank Destruction Badge in Gold. This was a gold woven cloth strip, with a metal tank emblem that had a silver finish. The Gold grade of this award was bestowed for the single-handed destruction of five enemy tanks.

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates. https://epicartifacts.com/sell-to-us/

Feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com