An original relic example of a

WW-II German Army

(Wehrmacht)

Metal Panzer Mk IV

from a battlefield dug 

Tank Destruction Strip

1942-1945

Introduced in March 1942 it was known in German as

 

'Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen 

von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer'

(lit. Special badge for taking down of tanks by individual soldiers)

In English, 

The German Tank Destruction Strip

was awarded, primarily,

to German infantry who had successfully destroyed 

an enemy tank or armoured vehicle in the field by hand,

using either a grenade, a hollowed-out charge, 

a sticky mine or a Molotov Cocktail.

As such it was awarded in 2 grades:

Silver for taking out a single Tank or AFV

and 

Gold (introduced in Dec 1943) for 5 or more Tanks & AFVs.

Featuring a small Panzer Mk-IV on either the silver or gold backing,

they were worn on the upper right service tunic

with up to 4 of the silver in position, to be

upgraded by the single gold strip, if & when 5 or more were destroyed. 

Battlefield-dug, just the Panzer MK-IV & its backing plate remain

and measuring 1.75" and still affixed to its backing plate,

the wee Panzer is very clear and could possibly clean up well.

We have opted, however, to leave it in its good, relic condition,

(and exactly as acquired),

 as an example of now a partial battlefield-dug section

from a rare piece of WW-II German Insignia.

(B/W Photo Courtesy of The Bunesarchiv via The Tomahawk Films (1990 Ltd) WW-II  Archive)

 Thanks for looking..!