Tank destruction badge

[deejay]

In addition to the earlier threads on the subject, I took some time to gather some pictures to hopefully give some more help on being able to determine the german tank destruction badges of WW2 and their reproductions that we encounter on Ebay etc. I also hope that all fellow collectors can add more information and maybe pictures or comments so that this thread can be used as a permanent reference to us all.

In my opinion the best way to determine the authenticy is to "handel" a pre and then a post 1945 example. An original TDB is of a high quallity standard, it feels 'heavy' and also looks very descent. The aluminum strip feels soft and smooth, also bends with ease.

Magnification of a pre 1945 example TDB about 20 X

The different reproduction badges seem all to have typical features on them as combinations of green backing cloth, 'loser' weaving of the alu strip and lack quallity and measurements of the tanks . Also some tanks are 'blued' others of 'poor quallity' and non-magnetic painted.

I have encountered magnetic tanks and non-magnetic tanks on repro´s and various shapes of tanks and of backing strips. It is also possible that original die struck tanks could have been placed on post 1945 production strips.

There are many features to look for, add them up and determine but: either way I think that once you have handeld one or two original definate pre 1945 examples you will know what I am talking about. Even the best reproductions do not have this ´been there feeling´ feature.

All above are some, I could say, most of the reproductions I know of

The TDB below is the only original I have remaining in my collection.

Variants of originals exist with only minor differences like for example the backing materials if at all present such as (grey/green coloured)canvas, (black, dark blue, grey / green coloured) wool.

It is becoming a rare badge in both grades black and gold, most popular to collectors of third reich combat awards. Earning this badge in the day´s of world war two, I can imagine that the attempts did cost many soldiers their lives. If you ask me, I would say this badge is even rarer than the German Cross in Gold.

Hope this was a good start, it´s all my view and again, this is all my opinion on the subject.

regards,

DJ

[Elvis]

Hi DJ Wondering what opinions you have on these. The don't quite look like originals but do not look like any repros either.

[Elvis]

gold tdb...

[Elvis]

the backs and closeups....

[Elvis]

If I put more than 1 pic none of them show up.

[Elvis]

more

[Elvis]

back

[deejay]

Hi Elvis,

These two badges appear to be of the same maker. They are of a combined type as I described earlier consisting of the alustrip as shown in my first reproduction photograph yet with a slight modification, a different backing wool making it look even better. There are typical features on these, one of them is the spacing of the weaving as shown in the picture. Other features I won't reveal as we don´t want to make it the fakers easier to do make any more of these modifications.

The tanks on the badges are both of the same type and can both be seen in the 6th badge from the top (Gold one) yours with a different finish and probably artificially aged.

The tanks are either too large or alu strip measurements are not correct. Width and heights are not correct.

I hope you did not pay too much for them.

regards,
DJ