Original German WWII Motor/Panzer Mechanic 1st Class Trade Badge

Original German WWII Motor/Panzer Mechanic 1st Class Trade Badge (Kfz- und Panzerwartpersonal I Abzeichen)-During the Third Reich, a wide range of trade and specialist insignia were introduced to denote enlisted men and NCOs who had qualified in a specific trade or function. These badges were typically worn on the lower right sleeve of the field or service tunic by personnel ranging fromSchützetoStabsfeldwebel. Certain trades were restricted to enlisted ranks, while those open to NCOs were often distinguished by silver cord piping. Originally produced on blue-green badge cloth, trade badges shifted to field-grey wool in early 1940 to better match standard uniforms. On June 1, 1943, regulations officially introduced the Motor/Armored Mechanic's Trade Badge in two classes: the 1st Class version with pink cord piping, and the 2nd Class without.This is a textbook example of the 1st Class Motor/Armored Mechanic's Trade Badge. The badge measures approximately 50mm in diameter and is executed on a field-grey wool base. Centered is a machine-embroidered twelve-cog gear wheel with four inner spokes and a central hub, all finely stitched in pink rayon thread. The outer edge is bordered with twisted pink rayon cording, neatly hand-stitched in place—denoting 1st Class qualification. An excellent representation of this increasingly hard-to-find specialist badge.