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Condition: Near Mint
Maker: RK
Pattern: Bronze
Base Material: Zinc
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Product Description: This is an outstanding and apparently unworn example of a Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze. It’s struck from fine zinc. Nearly all of the original bronze finish remains intact on both sides of this badge, with some appealing color shades. Original, factory applied protective lacquer is evident. There is only the slightest hint of handling wear, and all of the original detail is intact, including the typical die flaw at the beak of the eagle. The reverse of this Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze is semi-hollow. It is maker marked behind the swastika with the initials “R.K.,” indicating manufacture by the firm of Rudolf Karneth. The hardware setup features a crimped-in ball hinge and “question mark” catch, with a functional round wire pin that tapers to a point. This badge exhibits zero damage, and is all original, with no sign of repair. It’s a very desirable example, that remains in outstanding, near mint condition.
Historical Description: The Panzer Assault Badge was instituted on December 20th, 1939. It was awarded in the silver grade to Panzer crewman who met the combat requirements. On June 1st, 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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