A near mint example of a second war German vertical crimp version silver grade “Panzerkampfabzeichen” by Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid; oval shaped silvered zink; the obverse with a border of oak leaves with a tie at the base and a Panzerkampfwagen IV superimposed in the centre on grassy ground, with the left tank track extending over the edge of the badge; the reverse plain with a vertical needle style pin, a unique vertically crimed sheet metal hinge, and a crimped round wire catch; an unmarked example, but displaying typical manufacturing characteristics of Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid; measuring 42.50 mm (w) x 60.57 mm (h); weighing 23.2 grams; slightly vaulted; with nearly all of its original silver finish remaining; in overall virtually mint condition.
Footnote: This tank badge stems from the personal collection of predominant historian Thomas Durante, author of “The German Close Comabt Clasp of World War II - A Collectors Guide to the German Close Combat Clasp of World War II”.