UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Luftwaffe Tank Assault Badge

I am looking for information on this badge. How rare and current value?
Thank you.

Controversial still, that they were issued if even manufactured during the war.
It is suggested that some few were period produced, if so they would be extremely rare. Examples should be considered with caution.
To my knowledge no in wear images are known.

--dj--Joe

Detlev Niemann says these were period made and awarded but nobody has ever seen one in wear or an award document. As Joe said very contraversial.
SSman

Thank you for the information. The reason I asked is because several weeks ago I made a purchase from a WWII vet. The items were an SS belt buckle, an arm babd, an antenna pennant, a canvas duffle like bag with tha eagle and swaz, a photo album and another arm band of some kind. All of the items show the same over all age and wear. A friend who has collected for many years is certain they are all period 100%. He bought the SS buckle for $400.00. Another collector friend told me I hit a home run to get such a rare badge. My research on the badge explained they were produced in Nov. 1944 under orders from G�ring. However, that is all I could find on them. I will continue researching and get other opinions from some of the experts. I will post some close up pictures at a later date.

Flyboy, looking forward to pictures.
More info. Two basic versions. Silver wreath & eagle w. black tank, 2nd. basic version all black.
Also in Nov. 1944 numbered badges were introduced. 25, 50, 75 and 100.

--dj--Joe

They do make some pretty convincing fakes of these badges. This one looks to be silver plated brass. Even has 2 rivets attaching the eagle to the wreath.
Front

Back
SSman

Makers Mark
SSman

I've seen multiple fakes of this badge in the past and it IS a controversial piece. Real ones, I am convinced, do exist, but only of the "single piece" variety with integral hinge and catch.

At the recent SOS I saw one of these badges on the table of a young dealer/collector. I was convinced it was a real one, but before shelling out $1500 for it, I thought long and hard about my ability to ever re-sell it and decided it was too large a risk. I still have pangs of regret and don't know if I made the right decision!

Pepland. If somebody could ever provide a picture of one of these in wear or even an award document then it might be a little easier to determine the authenticity of these badges.
SSman

well the badge has enough good points that it should be kept in the collection as a probable and reserch project would not sell this one could be you key piece down the road. Good Luck

Paulbear. Do you mean the one I posted pictures of?
SSman

YES the fake you posted very well made but to may ifs out there on these unless you know for sure where it came from. This looks allot like some very good and true Luft ground assault badges. Just a thought.

PAUL

Paulbear. I do research on these badges once in awhile but nothing seems to change! Just hoping maybe someday I will run onto a picture of one in wear?
Ssman

One thing about this badge is that it has no maker mark. I was informed that at this late in the war they were not. The rivets that attach the eagle to the wreath are butt rivets instead of domed. Also the reproductions lack the wreath edge. In John Angolia's book the example shown is like this one, meaning the wreath looks to have a "squeeze out" from the process of production the fakes do not exhibit.
On the fakes it looks to me the "leaves" of the wreath are plum with the backside without that extra layer of the wreath such as the one in the reference book and this one.
I understand this is a tough nut to crack because of the contraversy that surrounds this badge. I am still digging to determine if it is period along with the other items that were in the grouping that proved to be 100% wartime production.
Thank you for your comments,

Are you going to show us a pic of yours ?

PAUL

Paul, yes I am early next week when I return home from Seattle. Hopefully by then I can confirm if I am posting an original or not.
Either way I will post photo's for opinions pro or con.

GREAT VERY INTERESTED in seeing what you picked up as are the others

PAUL