Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Tank Destruction Badge in Silver, consisting of a stamped steel Panzer IV tank mounted to a silver bullion embroidered fabric band with black borders. The reverse retains its galvanized steel backing plate and full fabric covering, and the badge shows no clear evidence of ever having been sewn to a uniform.

The Tank Destruction Badge, or Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer, was awarded to individual soldiers who destroyed an enemy armored vehicle using a hand held weapon or other close range means while acting outside a regular anti-tank gun crew. The silver grade represented the destruction of one tank, and additional silver badges could be awarded for further qualifying actions. A gold grade badge represented five credited tank destructions.

The central stamped steel tank measures approximately:

1 5/8" wide by 11/16" high

It is mounted to a silver bullion embroidered band measuring approximately:

3 3/8" wide by 1 3/16" high

The fabric band has black horizontal stripes along the upper and lower edges. The steel tank is secured by three bent attachment clips that pass through a galvanized steel backing plate before being folded over. The reverse is completely covered by a fabric backing.

The badge has a gentle curve intended to follow the contour of a uniform sleeve. Careful inspection revealed no obvious stitch holes or other signs that the badge was ever attached to a uniform, suggesting that it may have remained unissued or unused.

The steel tank has lost most or all of its original silver wash and now displays surface oxidation throughout. The bullion band shows age related wear, including areas where the aluminum coating has worn from the embroidered threads. The black borders remain visible, and the backing components are still intact.

The combination of a separate steel tank, bullion band, backing plate, and full fabric reverse gives this badge the layered construction associated with wartime Tank Destruction Badges. Its present condition reflects age and storage rather than heavy uniform wear.

With its complete three-clip construction, intact galvanized backing plate, surviving fabric reverse, original silver bullion band, and apparent unissued condition, this is a strong example of a distinctive German WWII combat award. The oxidized steel tank, lost silver wash, bullion wear, and age related surface deterioration are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a German combat award, infantry insignia, anti-tank warfare, sleeve badge, or advanced WWII decoration collection.

The Tank Destruction Badge, known in German as the Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer (Special badge for the defeat of armored vehicles by lone fighters) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to individuals of the Wehrmacht who had single-handedly destroyed an enemy tank or an armored combat vehicle using a hand-held weapon. Anti-tank units were ineligible for this award. It was established on 9 March 1942, but could be awarded for actions dating back to 22 June 1941, the start of Operation Barbarossa (the German invasion of the Soviet Union). Prior to the introduction of this award, the soldier would be awarded the General Assault Badge for the action.

On 18 December 1943, the OKH introduced a gold class that recognized the single-handed destruction of five tanks. A soldier could therefore have four silver badges which would all be replaced by a gold version upon the destruction of a fifth tank, to which separate silver badge could be added thereafter.

Variations
The tank destruction badge featured a blackened 42 mm by 18 mm Panzer IV tank attached to an 88 mm by 33 mm silver band. 2 mm from the top and bottom edges ran 4 mm black stripes. The badge was pinned to the sleeve, and then was "sewn on". It had a cloth or cotton backing.

The gold award was similar except for a gold bullion wire background with black horizontal stripes. It featured a silver wash to the tank, instead of a black wash.
● Silver - presented for each tank destroyed.
● Gold - for five tanks destroyed.

One noted recipient was Günther Viezenz, who destroyed 21 enemy tanks, qualifying him to wear 4 Gold Badges and 1 Silver.