Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze – Frank & Reif

Product Description: This Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze is a very nice, representative example of this desirable combat award. It is struck from fine zinc, and retains most of the original bronze lacquer finish. On the front, the dark original finish that remains in the recesses of the design contrasts very nicely against the lighter tones of the exposed base metal on the high points. It’s nice and clean, and retains all of the original detail. The reverse of this Panzer Assault Badge is flat and smooth, with nearly all of the original finish intact, and some minor surface scratches. Although there is no visible manufacturer marking, this badge variant is known to have been manufactured by the firm of Frank & Reif in Stuttgart. The hardware is functional, and near perfect, with great original bronze finish. The sheet metal hinge and catch plate are held solidly in place with the original solder. Overall, the condition of this attractive badge rates as excellent.

Historical Description: The Panzer Assault Badge was instituted on December 20^th, 1939.    It was awarded in the silver grade to Panzer crewman who met the combat requirements. On June 1^st, 1940, following the start of the blitzkrieg against France, the bronze grade was introduced to award armoured 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.       

 The design of the Standard 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 can still be a common occurrence at local gun and military shows even now.  The German Army had tens of 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 to wear 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, wreath’s, 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.

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