A desirable special grade Tank Badge for 25 panzer engagements; two-piece construction; badge in silvered tombac with a silvered wreath and a hollow blackened/patinated finezink Panzer III; bronze plate depicting the number “25” on a darkened background; slightly vaulted; vertical broad pinback with a functional hinge/catch assembly (note the embedded and crimped hinge and catch); unmarked; but textbook example of “Josef Feix & Sohn, Gablonz” construction; measuring 61.96 mm x 47.63 mm; near mint and hardly worn condition.
Footnote: The standard Panzer badges (Panzerkampfabzeichen) was instituted on December 20, 1939, to commemorate the achievements of armoured divisions during Panzer assaults. As the war progressed, it became apparent that a single Panzer badge (bronze for armoured personnel, such as tank assault crews, armoured reconnaissance units, and medical personnel, as well as Panzergrenadier units equipped with armoured vehicles, and silver for tank commanders, gunners, or radio operators) was no longer adequate to recognize the growing number of armoured veterans. Therefore, in June 1943, additional classes of the award were introduced for 25, 50, 75, and 100 Panzer engagements.