Original Item: Only One Available.This is an original German WWII Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze (Panzerkampfabzeichen in Bronze), constructed from solid zinc and maker marked EWE on the reverse. The EWE marking is commonly attributed in modern collector references to Edelmetallwerke List & Hertl of Vienna, although this identification is not universally accepted and should not be considered definitively established. The badge retains a pleasing amount of its original bronze-toned finish, with the underlying gray zinc showing through naturally on the higher points and around the perimeter. The complete reverse attachment system is present, consisting of the characteristic sheet-metal hinge, long round-wire pin, and wire catch.

The obverse follows the classic Panzer Assault Badge design, with a detailed armored fighting vehicle advancing from left to right within an oval oak-leaf wreath. Above is the German military eagle clutching a swas. The three-dimensional tank and deeply relieved wreath give this particular EWE pattern a strong appearance, and considerable detail remains visible despite honest wartime-era finish wear.

The badge is in good original condition, showing the expected age and wear of a zinc combat award from this period. Much of the bronze finish has thinned from the higher areas, exposing the gray zinc base metal, while attractive bronze and brown coloration remains throughout the recesses and across portions of the obverse and reverse. There is scattered oxidation, surface spotting, and age-related finish loss, particularly around the reverse hardware and exposed zinc areas.

The pin, hinge, and catch are all present. The reverse hardware shows age and oxidation but is complete, with no obvious modern replacement components. The obverse relief remains well defined, particularly through the tank, eagle, and oak-leaf wreath. Overall, it presents as a nicely aged example with considerably more character than a heavily cleaned or refinished badge.

The original silver Panzer Assault Badge was instituted on December 20, 1939, for personnel serving directly with armored fighting vehicles. The bronze grade followed on June 1, 1940, when the award was extended to personnel of motorized and armored-support formations that fought alongside the tanks. Contemporary regulations included members of motorized rifle formations, motorcycle rifle battalions of the Panzer divisions, and armored reconnaissance units.

This distinction between the bronze and silver versions is important. The silver badge was principally associated with actual tank crews, while the bronze badge recognized infantry, motorcycle, reconnaissance, and other personnel whose operations were closely integrated with armored formations. These troops often fought as part of the same combined-arms attacks but did not necessarily serve inside the tanks themselves.

For the basic Panzer Assault Badge, qualification normally required participation in three qualifying armored engagements on three separate days. The requirement was intended to recognize repeated participation in armored combat rather than a single action. Later in the war, additional numbered grades were introduced to recognize substantially greater numbers of qualifying combat days, but the unnumbered badge seen here remained the standard initial award.

The badge’s design reflected its armored role directly. A Panzer is shown moving across broken ground, surrounded by the traditional oak-leaf wreath used on many German military decorations. The prominent vehicle motif made the badge immediately recognizable when worn on the uniform and visually separated it from the infantry, general assault, and other branch-specific combat awards introduced during the war.

The use of zinc is also typical of wartime German award production. As the war progressed, zinc increasingly replaced more expensive non-ferrous alloys for badges and decorations. Bronze and silver surface finishes applied over zinc frequently reacted with the base metal over time, producing the characteristic loss of finish and gray coloration now familiar on surviving examples.