{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-bronze-grade-panzer-assault-tank-badge-attributed-to-b-h-mayer-of-pforzheim-early-tombak-hollow-back","title":"Original German WWII Bronze Grade Panzer Assault Tank Badge Attributed to B.H. Mayer of Pforzheim - Early Tombak Hollow Back","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The \u003cem\u003ePanzerkampfabzeichen\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e(Panzer Assault Badge or PAB) 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, as well as other personnel. 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 Assault Badge was worn on the left tunic pocket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ebronze\u003c\/strong\u003e version of the Panzer Assault 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis early example in Bronze grade is constructed of stamped Tombak, and alloy similar to brass, and thus did not require any plating. It shows a lovely matured look, with the gold-toned base material visible in many areas, while the more recessed areas display a brown patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design of the badge 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 \u003cem\u003ePanzerkampfwagen IV\u003c\/em\u003e superimposed in the center on grassy ground, with its left tank track extending over the edge of the badge. The reverse is a \"hollow back\" design with a vertical needle style pin, a crimped plated barrel hinge, and an attached catch made from sheet metal. The badge measures approximately 1.64 inches (41.65 mm) W x 2.36 (60.06 mm) H.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge is unmarked, however the style and material of construction, along with the attachment hardware construction are consistent with known examples attributed to B.H. Mayer of Pforzheim, a known maker of unmarked badges. We have compared it to numerous known examples and it is an exact match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis early bronze-grade Panzer Assault Badge is constructed from stamped Tombak and retains its hollow-back form, vertical pin, barrel hinge, and sheet-metal catch. The exposed brass-toned alloy and darker patina in the recessed areas give the badge a well-aged appearance without obscuring the principal design details. Although unmarked, its construction, hardware, and die characteristics are consistent with examples attributed to B.H. Mayer of Pforzheim. Tombak badges are less commonly encountered than later zinc examples, making this a particularly appealing early-production example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe term panzer division (German: \u003cem\u003ePanzerdivision\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA panzer division was a combined arms formation, having both tanks (German: \u003cem\u003ePanzerkampfwagen\u003c\/em\u003e, \"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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45416270135365,"sku":"ONSV26CC223","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CC223__01.jpg?v=1785337624","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-bronze-grade-panzer-assault-tank-badge-attributed-to-b-h-mayer-of-pforzheim-early-tombak-hollow-back","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}