Kampfwagenabzeichen

[Brian S]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for jumping in.

Is there any close connection to a maker from this badge? The blockhinge combined with a baseplate under the catch doesn't a look a too common combination...

Sold it to me as a Juncker by a dealer in Germany.

[Don D.]

While we are at it, here's another good thread: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&highlight=A7V

[DaveG]

I must have reading comprehension problems because now I see the badge that started this thread is currently for sale on the estand, so somewhere in the three pages of discussion on this thread it must have been tacitly blessed as good based on the pin and catch system? Is this correct? I'm just trying to learn. As I mentioned before, the definition of the tank looks very crude and shallow.

Don, can you explain your conclusions on the badge geared towards those of us who might not understand the finer points of German badge manufacturing techniques.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[streptile]

Hi Dave,

I see what you are saying, but I don't think it's desirable to have any badge that even one person doubts pulled from the eStand -- better to provide a link to the discussion and leave the decision up to the buyer. I see that Giel has done that, so I don't personally see an issue with the sales thread.

Have a great weekend

[DaveG]

Hi Dave,

I see what you are saying, but I don't think it's desirable to have any badge that even one person doubts pulled from the eStand -- better to provide a link to the discussion and leave the decision up to the buyer. I see that Giel has done that, so I don't personally see an issue with the sales thread.

Have a great weekend

You way, way misunderstood my point. I'm not suggesting that it be pulled from the estand. Giel appropriatedly referenced this thread in his estand listing for the badge. I'm just asking for someone to clarify the concensus of opinion on the badge as discussed on this thread, if there was any. There was much discussion regarding pins and catches of various makers but I am too dense to apply the discussion to Giel's badge.

Dave

[Don D.]

I must have reading comprehension problems because now I see the badge that started this thread is currently for sale on the estand, so somewhere in the three pages of discussion on this thread it must have been tacitly blessed as good based on the pin and catch system? Is this correct? I'm just trying to learn. As I mentioned before, the definition of the tank looks very crude and shallow.

Don, can you explain your conclusions on the badge geared towards those of us who might not understand the finer points of German badge manufacturing techniques.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

The construction of these badges is like the flight badges of the period. A stamped cliche that is trimmed down and hardware.applied. while of a limited issue, some would say only 100 which I doubt. They are also one of the longest badges out their for purchase. For a comparison, look at the Legion Condor tank badge. 500+ verified awards and more than 3 known or accepted makers.

This design had long been accepted by the collecting community as a period design, just attributed to a different maker.

[DaveG]

Thank you Mr. Doering. You are a gentleman and a scholar!

Dave

[streptile]

As I understand it, when Gerd Scharfenberg took over the editorship of the OEK, one of his primary mandates was to purge the book of photos of fake items. Over the years he has been very successful, as far as I can determine with my limited knowledge (Prussia, Third Reich). To be sure, there are still problems -- the 1939 EK1 Spange (3823/1) is still a Raptor, for example. But a lot of progress has been made, and most fakes have been replaced with undoubted originals -- for example, the 1870/1914 WHS (1910) was replaced in the most recent edition with what seems to be a scan of Max Aurich's piece!

For what it's worth, here is the Kampfwagenabzeichen (3308) from the most recent OEK.

[streptile]

A quick question, only slightly off-topic.

The Empire's badges all have wreaths in two different leaves, including the KWA, and Pilot, and the Observer:



I know the side with the acorns (R on flight badges, L on KWA) shows oakleaves, a traditional Prussian symbol of bravery.

Does anyone know what the other leaves are supposed to be, and what they might represent?

[VtwinVince]

Trevor, those are laurel leaves, symbolic of victory

[streptile]

Victory Makes sense. Thank you for the info Vince.

[ubisacco]

how its made...

Hi there,
i see a lot of opinions on the hardware that i find very interesting. But coming back ion the badge itself, it looks chunky, cumbersome and has a terrible detail.

If it would be a piece formed by the usual stamping process, very much more attention would have been payed to the detail. Since the engraving and chisseling of the HARDMETAL punch is very difficult and arduous. Thats nothing you want to do twice, you make it right the first time!
This also would be the reason NOT to make the tank outline in a "sunken" relief: you would have to take down the entire rest of the surface to leave only the outline protruding on the punch. (On that time there was no Dremel-tools)

On the other hand, if this would be a single piece made by an jewler to replace a lost or damamged badge. Obviously the jewler would nt make a punch. But have you ever seen a jewler made badge - from any time - that looked so damn ugly?

In my understanding this has been made by modern goldsmithing techniques, using a first core-model made of wax (see the detail particularly on the mentioned laurel leaves) and in best of cases recovered by meanings of a galvanoplastic method. By the way, its the method Staegmayer makes his.

I would stay faaaaaar away of this badge.

[Don D.]

This style badge has been around for at least 30+ years (from pics in books) so the Hero has not made it. These have been stamped out of a sheet of metal.

[ubisacco]

This style badge has been around for at least 30+ years (from pics in books) so the Hero has not made it. These have been stamped out of a sheet of metal.

for shure: as stated below many books depict fakes without pointing them as such.
I am just thinking about the EK1's made after 1945 that still are beeing sold as "wonderful originals". How much easier to slip such an error concerning a piece that has so seldom been "awarded". The more since this was'nt originally an oficial award, but has been adopted later.

[Don D.]

And how many do you think were awarded?