Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 88:
Description
Panzertruppenabzeichen der Legion Condor, or Condor Legion Tank Troops Badge, awarded to German armored personnel who served with the Legion Condor during the Spanish Civil War. The badge features the distinctive oval oak-leaf wreath surrounding a prominent skull and crossbones, with an early tank depicted beneath, a dramatic design associated with the small German armored contingent that supported Nationalist forces in Spain from 1936 to 1939. Rare Weeidmann example. The lily pad hinge was replaced at some point. The catch is original. The Condor Legion is best remembered for its Luftwaffe component, but Germany also deployed a limited armored force to Spain, providing both equipment and personnel whose combat experience would influence the development of German armored doctrine prior to the Second World War. The Panzertruppenabzeichen was instituted to recognize members of this armored contingent and was issued in very limited numbers, making surviving examples considerably scarcer than most later Third Reich combat badges. This example is of silvered metal construction and retains its original openwork design, with deeply pierced skull eye sockets, detailed crossbones, oak-leaf wreath, and separately defined tank motif. The reverse retains a vertical pin attachment system with period-style hinge construction. The badge exhibits honest age and wear throughout, including oxidation, surface darkening, areas of silver finish loss, and traces of verdigris consistent with long-term storage and handling. The reverse likewise shows substantial patination and age to the hardware and surrounding surfaces. An especially desirable and historically significant Spanish Civil War-era German military decoration, representing the formative period immediately preceding the creation of the Wehrmacht’s later Panzer combat awards. Condor Legion armored badges are encountered far less frequently than standard WWII German decorations and remain highly sought after by advanced collectors of German armor, Spanish Civil War material, and prewar military awards. Condition as photographed, with visible age, wear, oxidation, and finish loss consistent with an original period example.
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