Tank Destruction Badges

[Will Brown]

I have two. All of my pictures of them were taken outdoors, not with indoor studio lighting, but you get the idea. Here is the link for the rest of them. No pictures of the backings unfortunately.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=103954

[chris clark]

rear pic. and yes magnetic

[Robin Lumsden]

This one I have is also magnetic, with a blue-grey backing.

[Porsche]

"Salty" (#13 & 14) is also magnetic.

[deejay]

Again thanks for posting your badges, mint, salty or worn, all are welcome .

If you are uncertain about the authenticy of your own badge(s) you can allways ask as I and lots of other collectors are gladly willing to help out.

Studying these badges for a long while (years actually), collecting photographs and handling them, I have come up with some very interesting facts on these badges. Details which as far as I know has not yet even been documented. This information I would like to share with you and maybe even introduce a reference to recognize the types better in the future . Please stick to this thread and I will show you what my conclusions are as soon as I find the time after my vacation.

Regards,

DJ

[deejay]

Hi all,

back from holidays I have found a bit of time to reveal my findings on the german Tank Destruction Badges (TDB's) of WW2.

First; I would like to tell you that very little is known on this subject, leading to confusing theories about authenticy of the many TDB's in collections and offered on the markets. Books have been written on these badges but I have not found one which go into so much detail as I will.

These findings are based on my own expierieces I have with them since the time I started collecting in the 1980's while I was stationed in Germany with the air-force.

Secondly; for the ease of recognizing the different wartime manufactured types, I have ranged them from (manufacturing) type 1 to 4. Type 1 being the most often encountered type, type 2 second most encountered etc. Of course there is allways a possibility that there where more types but I am pretty much convinced that the types I will show you are (without question) wartime period manufactured versions of this badge.

Thirdly; the grades gold and black or the backing materials are also of importance but because these materials where randomly used on all types, the best way I found was to focus on the front side of the tank of the types 1 - 3 because of the distinguishing details showing different molds used to make them.

And last; anyone is at all times welcome to comment on my theorie. I am sure there is lots more to be mentioned.

rgards,
DJ

[deejay]

Tank destruction badge (first type)

The type one german tank destruction badge is shown on this image. Please do not refer to the backing material (if in place) but focus mainly on the tank.

[deejay]

Here is another type 1 badge:

[deejay]

The type 1 is the most often encountered type and it has some distinctive features which are easily recognized. I have two of these to compare, one of them is less crisp and even shows a flaw which could be explained by the use of a worn press mold.

[deejay]

And the second badge in detail

[deejay]

Notice the flaw on the first picture on lower track of the tank. Also other details reveal the use of a maybe older worn mold or probably another manufacturer.

Details which are unique to this badge type:

A) The rear fender seems to block the rear cog.

B) The rollers are not aligned.

c) The seventh wheel seems flattend on the right side.

D) Poor detail of the 'teath' on the tracks.

Among other details, these I found where the most obvious.

Dimensions of the first type 1 tank shown (with canvas backing) are

Width 43 mm
Height 17.5 mm

and it is magnetic.

Second type 1 tank shown (without backing)

Width 42.5 mm
Height 17.5 mm

Minor differences can be found due to the tooling of the badge, filing of the edges after stamping out the metal.

[deejay]

Next time I would like to show the type 2 TDB in detail.

Thanks for looking!

[Pascal H.]

Next time I would like to show the type 2 TDB in detail.

Thanks for looking!

Very interesting article.
Thanks for sharing .

I'm already looking forward to part 2.

KR
Pascal

[Jeff V]

Thanks Deejay! I also look forward to some more! best wishes,
jeff

[Porsche]

Deejay,
fantastic, can't wait for the type 2. When I looked in detail, there's another fairly prominent flaw on the 4th track link back on the front upper track, which could almost be a makers mark. I'll try to get a photo of this area, but I'm working with a mickey-mouse camera, so give me time.
Do you know any details of the manufacturers? or the period that the different types were made in?

Cheers,

Neil