Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Bronze Grade Panzer Assault Badge, or Panzerkampfabzeichen in Bronze, manufactured by Rudolf Karneth of Gablonz and marked R.K. on the reverse. It is a notably well preserved zinc example retaining nearly all of its original bronze wash on both the front and reverse.

The Panzer Assault Badge, often called a "Panzer Badge" or "PAB" by collectors, was a World War II German military decoration awarded to troops in armored divisions. It 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, including both those in Panzer units as well as Panzergrenadier. 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.

The badge is oval in form and constructed from zinc with a bronze wash. The obverse features an oak leaf wreath tied at the base, surmounted by a Heer style national eagle, with a Panzerkampfwagen IV depicted in the center on grassy ground. The left track of the tank extends beyond the edge of the wreath, a characteristic feature of the design.

The bronze finish is very well retained for a zinc badge of this type, remaining present across nearly the entire front and reverse with only minor flaking to the back. The design details remain sharp and well defined.

The reverse is of scoop back construction and is fitted with a vertical needle style pin, a pressed round hinge, and a round wire catch. Beneath the hinge it is maker marked:

R.K.

for Rudolf Karneth of Gablonz, now Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Republic. The badge measures approximately 1.64" wide x 2.36" high, or 41.65mm x 60.06mm.

Overall condition is excellent, with unusually strong retention of the original bronze wash, complete functional looking hardware, and crisp detail throughout. The only notable finish issue is minor flaking to the bronze wash on the reverse.

With its strong surviving bronze finish, R.K. maker mark, scoop back construction, complete pin assembly, and well defined Panzer IV design, this is a particularly appealing example of a Rudolf Karneth Bronze Grade Panzer Assault Badge. It would display especially well in a Heer Panzer, Panzergrenadier, armored reconnaissance, Rudolf Karneth, or advanced German WWII combat badge collection.

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.