Kampfwagen Abzeichen

[Bob Hritz]

Hinge detail: Tombak version

[Bob Hritz]

Hinge profile: Tombak version

[herrgeezer]

Hello David,

I believe your PzKA is a casting done, off an original, by the late Phillip Weber, of Saxony House. He used an original hollow badge to make the mold and the heat caused the back to warp in with a slight dished effect around the perimeter. The mark that is mistaken for a G is just the filled area where the vent hole was, on the original. The pin, hinge and catch were all made by Phil Weber.

If you care to test it, you will find it is made of tin-antimony alloy and is rather soft for cutting purposes. It will cut with hard pressure, on the edge, with your thumbnail. You may also submerge it in alcohol and note it is not hollow.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I am very familiar with the work of Saxony House, which was once located in Mokena, Illinois. When I wanted to collect badges, I was lucky enough to have one of the copiers in the area. Phil Weber was an expert in Imperial orders and decorations, friend to all who he knew, and maker of the cast Imperial and Third Reich badges that fool no one and were always sold as modern copies.

Bob Hritz

Hi Bob. Thanks for the info. It's not really bad new for me as I don't even remember how much I paid for the badge. It could have been much as I have had this one for at least 25+ years. You are correct in your observation that the marked which looks like a G is in fact a small circle with a bit of metal pooching out. I have wondered about this and now you have informed me.
Thanks again.

[Brian S]

Hinge detail: Tombak version

Perfect Bob. This is what I and a few others look for in an early transitional period from Imperial to Reich.

You have any other early badges post WWI with this type hinge? This is really great of you to show me this.