This Kriegsmarine cockade for enlisted personnel's visor cap represents a remarkable example of the war-induced material substitutions during the late war years of World War II. The dating to approximately 1943/44 and the unusual manufacture from glass instead of traditional metal alloys reflect the increasing material shortages in the German Reich during this phase of the war.

The Tellermütze (visor cap or peaked cap) was an essential component of the uniforms of all branches of the Wehrmacht, including the Kriegsmarine. The cockade served as the central national insignia on the front of the cap and symbolized the wearer's national affiliation. For enlisted ranks of the Kriegsmarine, the cockade was rendered in the Reich colors of black-white-red, surrounded by a golden or yellow wreath.

The traditional manufacture of such cockades during the early war years was predominantly from non-ferrous metal alloys that were enameled or painted. As the war progressed and strategically important metals such as copper, brass, and bronze became increasingly scarce—needed for armaments production—the High Command of the Wehrmacht (OKW) ordered various economy measures. These affected not only uniforms and equipment but also badges and insignia.

The use of glass as a substitute material from 1943/44 onwards is a fascinating testimony to German improvisation capabilities under wartime conditions. Glass offered several advantages: it was available in sufficient quantities, could be industrially processed, and could represent the required colors of the Reich cockade through painting. The colored lacquering on the glass surface enabled the representation of the characteristic concentric circles in the national colors.

The attachment on the reverse side using two fastening pins corresponded to the standard construction and enabled secure attachment of the cockade to the cap fabric. These pins were passed through pre-made eyelets in the fabric and bent over on the inside or secured with small washers.

The unworn condition of this specimen is remarkable, as most glass versions did not survive wartime service undamaged due to their fragility. While glass was available, it was significantly more susceptible to breakage than metal, leading to higher loss rates. Many of these cockades broke during normal wear or through the stresses of wartime daily life.

The Kriegsmarine, as the youngest branch of the Wehrmacht, had its independent uniform tradition that differed from the Army and Air Force. Sailor uniforms were oriented toward international naval traditions, while officers and non-commissioned officers wore distinctive blue uniforms. The cockade as a national emblem, however, remained a unifying element across all rank groups.

The production of such substitute material cockades was carried out by various supplier companies working under contract to the Army Administration. The exact manufacturing firms and production numbers are often difficult to trace today, as many records were lost toward the end of the war or deliberately destroyed.

For collectors and military historians, these glass cockades today represent rare historical documents that illustrate the material constraints and industrial decline of the German Reich in the final phase of the war. They exemplify how even seemingly insignificant uniform parts were affected by the impacts of total war.