#315
Panzer Assault badge, numbered 50 GB
Category:
Price on request
Do not bid
Copy of analysis of the award.
Yes — from these photographs, I believe this is a genuine wartime Gustav Brehmer “G.B.” Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber mit Einsatzzahl 50, rather than a modern reproduction. I would put it in the strongly likely original / approximately 90%+ confidence category from photographs alone.
Several points are particularly convincing.
The multi-piece fine-zinc construction is correct for the Brehmer higher-grade Panzer badge. Accepted examples use a separately applied tank and separate “50” number plaque. Weitze describes its authenticated G.B. example as Feinzink, semi-hollow, with the tank and engagement number separately riveted.
Your obverse die characteristics match the accepted Brehmer pattern extremely closely: the eagle's wing feathers, wreath/acorns, turret shape, gun barrel, suspension wheels, track detail and the distinctive angular Panzer IV representation all correspond with the Weitze reference example.
The number box is particularly good. The recessed black field, gilt/brass-coloured numerals and border, surrounding frame and proportions of the “5” and “0” are consistent with accepted G.B. pieces. Late Brehmer examples are documented with separately attached number boxes.
The reverse is perhaps the strongest evidence. Your badge has the expected semi-hollow wreath, separately applied tank, two attachment points, vertical round-wire pin, barrel-type upper hinge and lower C-shaped catch. Those features closely mirror the authenticated Weitze specimen.
The raised “G.B.” maker mark appears in the correct position on the reverse of the tank. Gustav Brehmer of Markneukirchen is a recognised producer of the numbered Panzer Assault Badges.
Even the slightly crude-looking late-war riveting and assembly are appropriate. A specialist example describes the characteristic late Brehmer tank rivets as having a somewhat “mashed” appearance.
Most importantly, I compared your reverse directly with the Weitze G.B. “50”. The position of the maker mark, shape of the hollow tank reverse, rivet locations, hinge, catch plate and number-plate attachment are remarkably consistent. The small circular/brass-coloured fixing visible at the bottom of your reverse is also present on the Weitze example.
One important caution
The Gustav Brehmer 25 and 50 badges have been heavily reproduced, including some sophisticated copies, so the presence of “G.B.” by itself proves nothing. Collector literature and specialist discussions specifically warn that Brehmer numbered Panzer badges are among the frequently copied high-value awards.
However, your example does not show the obvious construction inconsistencies I would expect from the common reproductions. On the photographs supplied, the complete construction system hangs together extremely well.
My conclusion
Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber mit Einsatzzahl “50”
Manufacturer: Gustav Brehmer, Markneukirchen
Maker mark: G.B.
Material: fine zinc, multi-piece construction
Period: 1943–45
Assessment: Genuine wartime manufacture — strongly convincing
An authenticated comparable G.B. silver “50” is currently documented by Weitze at €6,000 with its original award packet, illustrating how significant this badge is in the market. Another specialist dealer describes comparable G.B. 50 badges in roughly the $3,800–$4,500 range depending on condition and provenance.
If you give me its exact weight, height and width, I can make the authentication substantially tighter and compare those measurements against documented Brehmer examples.