WW2 GERMAN KRIEGSMARINE E BOAT BADGE SECOND PATTERN BY SCHWERIN
BACKGROUND
The E Boat Badge was a World War II German military decoration awarded to members of the Kriegsmarine for service on fast attack craft or patrol/torpedo boats. The award was instituted on 30 May 1941. Requirements to receive the award included: an outstandingly successful sortie, wounded in action, 12 sorties against enemy vessels or installations, or outstanding leadership.
The medal was produced in two versions. The original 1941 version consisted of a "shorter high-silhouette" S-boat with an outer gold laurel wreath of oak leaves with the German Eagle at the top, while clutching a swastika. The second later version was introduced in January, 1943. It had the same basic design, but with a "longer and newer" model S-boat and a larger German Eagle at the top. The badge was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross, if awarded.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
An extremely well preserved example of a Kriegsmarine E-Boat Badge (Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen).The badge is in the shape of a laurel wreath, with a national eagle perched on the top of the badge clutching a mobile swastika, with a side-view of a destroyer cutting through a wave, with the bow of the ship extending over the wreath; plain reverse, with a center catch for stabilization and a horizontal banjo style pinback with a barrel hinge and a flat wire catch; maker marked “Schwerin, Berlin” and designer marked “Peekhaus, Berlin” on the reverse. The badge retains most of its original finish. Overall this badge is in better than fine condition.