PABs?

[Eric Gaumann]

I should preface this by saying I'm a rookie looking into getting my first PAB sometime this year.

The standard "model" for the tank in the PABs is a PKW III/IV with the short barrelled gun, right?
I saw, somewheres, a picture of a numbered PAB badge the had a tank mounting a longer and thinner gun barrel (without the typical German muzzel brake). Is this a definite repro, or are there variations on the tank's gun length?
The badge I refer to was an either 25 or 50 engagement badge that I'm pretty sure I saw in an early 90's Manion's auction cataloge.
Any comments, or links to sites with the skinny on PAB variants?

Many thanks.

Eric Gaumann

[Greg]

Eric,
The tank on the standard unnumbered PAB was meant to represent an early model PzKw IV with short barrel. The tank on the numbered PAB was meant to represent a PzKw III with longer, thinner barrel.

Take a look at the War Badges section on the main site (wehrmacht-awards.com). Also take a look at Mike Pinkus's excellent tank badge site http://tankbadges.homestead.com/
though he doesn't show the numbered badges.

Have fun in getting your first PAB (but not from eBay!).

Regards,
Greg