Original Items: Only One Available. The Panzer Badge (German: Panzerkampfabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration awarded troops in armored divisions. The Panzer Badge was introduced on 20 December 1939, in order to recognize the achievements of Panzer personnel who took part in armored assaults. It was designed by the Berlin firm of Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus, and was instituted by order of Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch. On 6 June 1940, a separate class of the badge, in Bronze, was added in order to recognize the crews of armored vehicles other than tanks.

The award document that came with it was the common type that had the particulars of the recipient (rank, name) and the authorizing signature of an officer. The Panzer Badge was worn on the left tunic pocket.

The bronze version of the Panzer Badge was authorized for armored personnel and Panzer grenadier units equipped with armored vehicles. It was also to be presented to members of armored reconnaissance groups and rifle battalions of Panzer divisions. The authorization of these badges was usually done at a regimental or divisional level.
This very nice example in Silver grade is constructed of oval shaped zinc with a silver wash. Like many of the later issued badges, the wash is mostly missing, mostly still present on the front.

The back and catch still also show some remnants of the silvering. The design is iconic, the front has a border of oak leaves tied at the base, a Heer-style national eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross) perches at the top of the wreath, a Panzerkampfwagen IV superimposed in the center on grassy ground, with its left tank track extending over the edge of the badge.

The reverse plain with a vertical needle style pin, and a crimpled plated hinge. The catch design is quite interesting and rather unique, made from a bent piece of brass, with the "hook" cut into it. Definitely not the usual type of catches that we see on these! Catch designs were often unique to the maker, so some deep research may be able to find out which company made this fine example. Measuring 1.64 inches (41.65 mm) W x 2.36 (60.06 mm) H. Offered in overall very good condition, with all the details still present.

The included envelope / packet is has the correct Panzer=Kampfabzeichen marking on the front in German "Black Letter" type face, while the rear is maker marked by Steinhauer & Lück / Lüdenscheid. The packet shows some crumpling and wrinkles, but overall is a very nice example.

The term panzer division (German: Panzerdivision) as commonly used in English language refers almost exclusively to the armored (tank) division in the army branch of the Wehrmacht and of NSDAP Germany during World War II. The panzer divisions were the key element of German success in the Blitzkrieg operations of the early years of the war. Later the Waffen-SS formed panzer divisions, and even the Luftwaffe fielded a panzer division, the Herman Goring Division. The term Panzerdivision is still used in today's Heer of the Bundeswehr (for example 1. Panzerdivision). In German speaking countries the term is not immediately associated with the Wehrmacht as it is in English speaking nations, as the word simply means 'armored division' and has no additional connotation.

A panzer division was a combined arms formation, having both tanks (German Panzerkampfwagen, "armored fighting vehicle", usually shortened to "Panzer") and infantry as organic components, along with artillery, anti-aircraft, signals, etc. However, the proportions of the components of a panzer division changed over time.