BACKGROUND: Trade and Specialist badges were introduced at varying times through-out the Third Reich to distinguish EM/NCO personnel who had achieved proficiency at a particular trade, specialty or function. The identifying insignia was most commonly worn on the lower right sleeve of the service or field tunic of qualified personnel holding the ranks of Schütze to Stabsfeldwebel inclusively. Some of the trades were only open to enlisted ranks while those open to NCO’s ranks were distinguished by the addition of a silver cord piping. Originally the early trade badges were worked on a blue/green badge cloth base, but in early 1940 this was altered to a field-grey wool base or the appropriate color of the uniform it was to be worn on. Regulations of June 1ST 1943 introduced a Motor/Armored Mechanic’s trade badge in two classes with the 1ST class being distinguished by pink cord piping and the 2ND class without the piping.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The badge is in the form of a roughly, 50mm diameter, field-grey wool base with a machine embroidered, twelve cog, gear wheel with four inner "spokes" and a central, circular, "hub", all in pink rayon threads. The outer edge of the badge is trimmed in twisted, pink rayon cording that is neatly hand stitched in place.