$365.00
Condition: Excellent++
Maker: RK
Pattern: Silver
Base Material: Zinc
In stock
Product Description: A particularly handsome and well-preserved example of the Panzer Assault Badge in Silver – R.K., awarded to armored troops of the Wehrmacht in recognition of participation in three or more combat engagements. This is a late-war production, struck in fine zinc, exhibiting strong detail and an impressive degree of original finish.
The obverse retains the majority of the original silvering, with attractive luster and only minor wear to the high points, where the underlying zinc subtly shows through — a common characteristic of later zinc issues. The design elements, including the tank and oak leaf wreath, remain sharply defined, contributing to the piece’s excellent visual appeal.
The reverse features a semi-hollow construction, with a concave depression behind the tank. It is maker marked “R.K.” in raised lettering beneath the swastika, confirming manufacture by the firm Rudolf Karneth, a known and respected wartime producer. The hardware is entirely correct for this variant, featuring a crimped-in ball hinge, round wire catch, and a fully functional round wire attachment pin.
This Panzer Assault Badge in Silver – R.K. remains completely untouched, with no repairs or damage, and displays a light, undisturbed age patina. An excellent++ example, offering both authenticity and aesthetic presence — a choice addition to any serious collection of German combat awards.
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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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