Decorations of the Kriegsmarine

Feinzink, rückseitig halbhohl geprägt, breite magnetische Nadel. 

Feinzink, rückseitig markiert "R.S.", die Vergoldung nur noch schwach erhalten.

Feinzink, rückseitig Markierung des Herstellers "R.S.&S.". Kugelscharnier und Haken sind magnetisch.

Gilt zinc alloy, 4 prongs.

Non-ferrous metal construction, without maker mark. Lightly worn, condition 2. Includes original photograph of the recipient.

Circa 1938. Blue wool cord with acorn pendant. Worn condition, Grade 2.

Tombac (copper alloy), maker “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”, worn condition.

Fine zinc, marked “f.o.” on reverse, round pin magnetic, catch repaired! Condition 2-3

Fine zinc, maker “JFS”, reverse with thin round iron pin, condition 2.

Non-ferrous metal, gold-plated and toned.

Gilt bronze with polished edges, hollow stamped, reverse with 4 round split pins, with a worn Iron Cross ribbon. Worn piece, condition 2-.

The Honor Roll Clasp of the Kriegsmarine was instituted on May 13, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine. A total of only 29 awards are known.
Most genuine pieces that appear on the market are unworn from the stock of the Orders Chancellery, which were captured by US troops at Schloss Klessheim in May 1945. Actually awarded and worn pieces are, by contrast, extremely rare.

Non-ferrous metal, French manufacture by Bacqueville-Paris, reverse with hook and horizontal pin, condition 2

Fine zinc construction, reverse with horizontal pin and suspension hook. Worn piece, the badge was “curved” by the wearer, condition 2.

Fine zinc with bronze finish, reverse marked with maker “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, with magnetic grooved pin. 

Fine zinc, no maker mark. Worn condition, Grade 2.

Fine zinc construction, maker: “Schwerin-Berlin 68”, horizontal pin with hook catch. Reverse with scratched bearer name “Lehn”

Fine zinc, maker: “Schwerin-Berlin 68”, horizontal pin with hook catch. Reverse with scratched owner's name “Lehn”

Fine zinc construction, without maker's mark, on wide pin. Condition 2. 

Non-ferrous metal enameled, only remnants of the pins remain, otherwise good condition.
The visitor's badge is multi-colored woven, in metal frame and with pin, condition 2.

Tombac, wreath gilt with polished edges and swastika, boat silver-plated, waves bronzed, reverse with horizontal pin and catch, reverse marked by manufacturer “Schwerin-Berlin 68”.

Brass alloy, maker “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”.

Zinc construction, reverse marked by maker "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin", gilding and bronzing still in very good condition, Condition 2.

Manufactured by Bacqueville-Paris, with horizontal pin on reverse. Condition 2.

Aluminum construction, long pin on reverse. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Gilt bronze with polished edges, hollow embossed, reverse with 4 round split pins mounted on Iron Cross ribbon. Unworn in absolutely mint condition - “in stone mint condition”!
Extremely rare to find in this condition!

The Honor Roll Clasp of the Kriegsmarine was instituted on May 13, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine. A total of only 29 awards are known.

Fine zinc, the gilding and silvering still well preserved, reverse side with pin lacking manufacturer's marking. Includes matching 9 mm miniature on pin.

Non-ferrous metal construction with applied globe. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Possession certificate for the 2nd grade of the Marksmanship Badge, as Matrosengefreiter, issued September 22, 1932. Together with the marksmanship lanyard 2nd grade with 2 attached metal acorns as well as a very fine portrait photo as Bootsmannsmaat wearing this marksmanship lanyard on the uniform.
Appointment certificate to Bootsmann, on command of cruiser “Emden”, dated September 1935.
Award document for the Service Decoration IV Class, as Bootsmann, issued 1936.
Ship's Order No. 4 of the Command Cruiser “Emden”, dated “At Sea, February 16, 1937.” “.. permission to wear Bulgarian orders and decorations has been granted to the holders...” (the cruiser Emden also visited Sofia in Bulgaria during its voyage, whereby various personnel were awarded Bulgarian decorations. Friedrich received the silver Merit Medal).
List “Officers and Officials of the Cruiser 'Emden'”, double-sided, with various handwritten amendments.
Cap tally “Kreuzer Emden”, clearly worn, condition 2-.
Marriage permission certificate as Bootsmann, 14th Ship Crew Division, dated 1938.
Appointment certificate to Stabsbootsmann, dated December 19, 1938.
Appointment certificate to Oberfeldwebel, dated February 23, 1939.
Award document for the Service Decoration III Class for 12 years, as Stabs-Bootsmann, issued January 10, 1939.
Matching large medal bar with 3 decorations: Wehrmacht Service Decoration for 12 and 4 years. Bulgaria silver Merit Medal.
Possession certificate “in recognition of outstanding achievements in shooting, the Marksmanship Badge offered in the sharpshooter shooting class for rifle 98k has been earned..”, as Hauptfeldwebel, 1st Company of the 2nd Ship Crew Division, issued Wilhelmshaven, June 24, 1940.
Large promotion certificate to Leutnant of the Naval Artillery, issued December 29, 1940, with original signature “The Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Raeder”. Together with a set of sleeve insignia for officers of the Naval Artillery, worn as Leutnant. Together with 3 fine photos as Leutnant and Oberleutnant respectively.
Letter from the Naval High Command West, dated January 5, 1945, Subject: War decorations for members of the 18.S.St.A. 338. Inf. Div. “Enclosed is the Iron Cross II Class conferred by the Commander-in-Chief Naval High Command West together with possession certificate for Kaptlt. Helmuth Friedrich, Fest. M.G.Btl. 52 for presentation or forwarding to the recipient...”. Together with the Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class on ribbon as well as the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords on ribbon.
Furthermore the field clasp with 4 decorations: Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class. War Merit Cross 1939 2nd Class with Swords. Wehrmacht Service Decoration for 12 and 4 years. All documents hole-punched, condition 2.

Under the following article numbers one can find additional pieces from Kapitänleutnant Helmuth Friedrich: 509568, 509584, 509735.

Fine zinc, manufactured by Steinhauer & Lück, needle, hinge and catch are magnetic, riveted globe.

Zinc, maker marking R.K. on reverse

Zinc, horizontal pin on reverse.

Fine zinc construction, reverse with long pin. Worn condition, Grade 2.

Non-ferrous metal, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". 

Silver-plated fine zinc, reverse marked “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, with magnetic hinged pin. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Zinc, with pin, diameter 36 mm.

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Fec. Otto Placzek Berlin Ausf. C.E. Juncker Berlin”. Worn condition, Grade 2

Executed in fine zinc, the pins have been repaired!

Late production circa 1945, fine zinc, Reichskriegsflagge broken off, reverse with vertical pin. Worn condition, Condition Grade 2.
A rare variant.

Zinc, magnetic pin, corroded

Fine zinc, appliqué riveted, reverse marked with manufacturer “Schwerin-Berlin”, needle and catch are magnetic. Worn condition, Condition 2.

Fine zinc, partially gilt, reverse marked with manufacturer's mark "W.H.", with round iron pin.

Non-ferrous metal, French manufacture by Bacqueville-Paris, reverse with hook and horizontal pin. Condition 2.

Tombac with “frosted” gilt finish, polished edges, reverse marked “Schwerin Berlin 68”, early production with round wire catch. Lightly worn, the badge was slightly curved by the wearer, the pin catch was repaired in period on reverse, condition 2.

Fine zinc silver-plated, reverse marked by manufacturer “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, with magnetic grooved pin. Lightly worn, condition 2+.

Machine-embroidered on dark blue cloth. Lightly worn, Condition 2

Approx. 85 mm, typical handcrafted shipboard work, with horizontal pin bar.

The Naval Front Clasp was instituted on November 19, 1944, by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Karl Dönitz and could be awarded to members of the Kriegsmarine after extended proven service in front-line deployment. The prerequisite was a fivefold fulfillment of the award conditions for the Kriegsmarine war badges. Due to the end of the war, the badge was no longer mass-produced but was handcrafted by the crews aboard ship. There are numerous variants, some cast, some hand-hammered from copper sheet, with a Kriegsmarine button set in the center, even with the depiction of an exploding sea mine for minesweepers.

Non-ferrous metal. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Fine zinc construction, without maker marking, gilding faded. Worn condition, grade 2-.

Fine zinc construction, reverse without maker mark. Worn condition, Grade 2.
A rare variant.

Fine zinc, marked “Schwerin-Berlin” on reverse. Pin and catch are magnetic. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Fine zinc construction, reverse with horizontal pin and catch, without maker mark, Condition 2

Non-ferrous metal

Aluminum, pin damaged

Non-ferrous metal, reverse marked by manufacturer “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. 

Dimensions approximately 31 x 56 cm, the hoist rope has not yet been sewn in, Condition 2. 
The kill pennants were awarded to both coastal artillery batteries and ships of the harbor defense flotillas. 

Fine zinc, reverse marked with maker's mark “f.o.” and punch mark +, on round magnetic pin. 

Tombac, swastika removed.

Fine zinc, gilt finish, 4 prongs. Condition 2.

Machine-embroidered cloth version on dark blue fabric. Unissued condition, Condition 2.

circa 1943. Fine zinc, hollow-embossed, reverse without wear clip. Condition 2-. 

Fine zinc, wide pin on reverse.

Fine zinc, no maker mark. Worn condition, Grade 2.

Fine zinc, reverse marked with maker "LB". Condition 2.
A very rare maker.

Fine zinc, manufactured by Bacqueville-Paris, reverse with horizontal pin.

Shield-shaped pin badge made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal, height 9 mm. Design depicts a tiger head in front of crossed swords. Condition 2.
Accompanied by the original award certificate, unfortunately heavily damaged, and the cover page of the book “Tigerflagge heiss vor” by Hans Bartels.
The decoration was instituted by the Commander of the Coastal Defense Unit of the Norwegian west coast, Kapitänleutnant Hans Bartels.
Knight's Cross recipient Kapitänleutnant Hans Bartels - Commander of the minesweeper “M1”. Bartels created the insignia for his unit. It was later adopted by the Coastal Defense Unit Norway commanded by Bartels. Bartels received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as early as May 16, 1940 for his outstanding service during the Polish Campaign and operations in the frozen North Sea and German Bight.

Glazed ceramic, diameter approximately 26 cm, hand-painted, in the center with large representation of the Auxiliary Cruiser War Badge 1941 and inscription “Hilfskreuzer Komet”. On the reverse with manufacturer's mark of a pottery in Malente. 

Zinc, reverse marked “Fec. Otto Platzeck Berlin - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. Condition 2-3.

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. Only lightly worn.

Zinc, maker “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. Letter “M” soldered on reverse.

Non-ferrous metal, gilded, hand-curved slightly convex. Manufactured by Schwerin-Berlin.

Fine zinc, manufactured by Steinhauer & Lück, pin, hinge and the riveted globe are magnetic, condition 2

circa 1939 solid metal plaque, bronzed and color lacquered, with 2 holes on the sides for mounting on naval cutters. Diameter 85 mm, Condition 2.

These plaques were intended as awards for naval cutters or sailing boats and were mounted on board.

Gilded non-ferrous metal, manufactured by Schwerin-Berlin but without maker marking.

Modified medal bar with Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class, Honor Cross for Combatants, Medal to the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, Wehrmacht Long Service Award for 25 Years with ribbon eagle, Wehrmacht Long Service Award for 12 Years with ribbon eagle, Greece Bronze Merit Medal to the Royal Order. Additionally the ribbon bar.
Iron Cross 1st Class, pin system removed, reverse side threaded with nut and washer, blue cloth in between.
Minesweeper War Badge, non-ferrous metal, 1939 Clasp to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class, Wehrmacht Long Service Cross for 18 Years, Wehrmacht Long Service Medal for 4 Years. 2 national eagles.
War Merit Cross 1939 2nd Class with Swords, the packet with notation “Bartsch”.
Medal October 10, 1939, the packet with notation “Kaptlt. Bartsch”.
One original photograph with inscription “Farewell from the crew”

Ernst Bartsch (2.5.1887 - 2.2.1982), entered the Navy in 1903, Commander U-boat tender Saar June 1937 - April 1944.
5.U-Fl. Training Officer May 44 to August 44, Commander of U-boats East (Acting) August 44 to April 45, Retired April 30, 1945.

Silver-plated fine zinc, reverse marked with manufacturer “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, on magnetic hinged pin. Condition 2

Zinc, reverse marked with maker's designation. Lightly worn, denazified after 1945.

Fine zinc, marked “Schwerin-Berlin” on reverse.

Machine-embroidered cloth version on dark blue wool. Cut out and worn, with adhesive residue on reverse, in good condition.

Tombac, reverse marked by manufacturer “Schwerin-Berlin 68”. 

Non-ferrous metal construction on pin. Clearly worn, condition 2-.

Fine zinc, condition 2-3.

Fine zinc, reverse marked by manufacturer, thin round iron pin. With damaged cardboard box.

Non-ferrous metal, maker's mark on reverse.

Fine zinc, reverse with horizontal pin and suspension hook.

Zinc, pin is magnetic, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin".

Fine zinc, horizontal pin on reverse, suspension loop missing. With marking of the bearer "1.9.44 Horst v. Delft".

Fine zinc, reverse marked with maker's mark “f.o.” and punch mark +, on round magnetic pin. Condition 2.

Zinc, gilt.

Bronzed plaque made of sheet steel, height 70 mm, engraved with sailing regatta "Mürwik 9. F.S.W. 19.9.36.", with 3 holes for mounting on a wall plaque. Condition 2.

Fine zinc construction, without maker's mark. Worn condition, gilding faded, Condition 2.

Machine-embroidered on dark blue cloth. Clearly worn, with moth damage, Condition 2-

Fine zinc, manufactured by Steinhauer & Lück. Condition 2.

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. 

Fine zinc, reverse marked by manufacturer “Schwerin Berlin”, magnetic horizontal pin.

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”, worn condition.

Non-ferrous metal, reverse marked with manufacturer code "L/11", Condition 2

Fine zinc. The pin marked L/21.

Zinc, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin".

Variant in fine zinc, on blue uniform cloth, with backing plate, slightly corroded, condition 2-.
The Narvik sleeve shield was only awarded to 3,611 members of the Kriegsmarine.

Non-ferrous metal, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Unworn, condition 2+.

Half-miniature 22 mm, lightly worn, condition 2

Fine zinc, reverse marked by manufacturer, thin round iron pin.

Non-ferrous metal, hollow-struck, gold-plated, reverse mounted on 4 round split pins, applied to Iron Cross ribbon, in black presentation case with spray felt lining in lid, removable insert. Unworn, condition 2.
The Kriegsmarine Honor Roll Clasp was instituted on May 13, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine. Only 29 awards are known in total. Most authentic pieces appearing on the market are unworn examples from the stock of the Orders Chancellery, which were captured by US troops at Schloss Klessheim in May 1945.

Fine zinc, reverse marked with manufacturer's designation “R.S.”, hinge, pin and catch are magnetic. Condition 2.

Fine zinc, reverse with manufacturer's marking “R.S.”, reverse with round magnetic pin.

Fine zinc bronzed, reverse with manufacturer's marking “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, with magnetic hinged pin. Condition 2.

Fine zinc, marked R.S. on reverse

Brass cast 15.3 x 12 cm, wooden back plate missing. Condition 2.

Marine-Flak-Abteilung 804, established in Breda as a partially motorized unit. From November 1940 stationed in Brest. There demotorized.

Commanders from July 1940 Korvettenkapitän M.A. Grabenhorst, from April 1944 Kapitänleutnant Dr. Alfred Wind.

French manufacture by Bacqueville, gold-plated fine zinc. Gilding preserved at 50%, condition 2.

12 photographs, sinking of the pocket battleship Graf Spee off the La Plata estuary, funeral of Captain Langsdorff in Buenos Aires. 50 canteen money Admiral Graf Spee. Beer coaster as souvenir of South America, inscription "Signalgefreiter Werner Helmstedt V. Division Hotel de Immigraci Mtr. SchiffKe. III. Division". Condition 2.

small silver-plated barrel (approx. 116 x 112 mm) on newly lacquered stand, engraved on lid “Herrn KPTLT (V) Siebert zum Geburtstag - Kommandant der Seeverteidigung Verwaltung Sandnessjöen den 20.Februar Kriegsjahr 1941” (To Mr. Captain Lieutenant (Administrative) Siebert for his birthday - Commander of Coastal Defense Administration Sandnessjöen, 20 February War Year 1941), cork stopper, condition 2

Fine zinc, with pin. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Rare variant with milled-out center section, fine zinc bronzed, reverse marked with manufacturer “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, on wide magnetic pin without groove, magnetic. Clearly worn, pin catch repaired during the war, condition 2-.

Gilded zinc alloy, split pins missing, 3 holes for sewing

Zinc, pin and catch are magnetic, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin".

Zinc, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Lightly worn, condition 2.

Fine zinc construction, without maker mark, Condition 2.

Non-ferrous metal, gold-plated, slightly domed by hand. Manufactured by Schwerin-Berlin.

Manufactured by C.E. Juncker, tombac with applied globe. Clearly worn and denazified!

Fine zinc, manufactured by Bacqueville-Paris, reverse with horizontal pin. Hinge resoldered.

Tombac alloy, heavily worn, catch missing, reverse with wearer's scratches.

Non-ferrous metal, manufacturer “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. Reverse with scratched inscription “MARKGRAF”. Only lightly worn.

Fine zinc, maker “JFS”, reverse with thin round iron pin, condition 2.

Gilt bronze, polished edges, manufactured by Schwerin-Berlin but without maker's mark.

Zinc alloy, the riveted overlay slightly displaced, reverse marked with maker “Schwerin-Berlin”, the catch re-soldered. A repaired badge.

Fine zinc, without maker mark, condition 2.

Fine zinc, manufactured by Steinhauer & Lück.

circa 1943/44. Zinc, hollow embossed with pin back. Worn condition, Condition 2.

Zinc alloy, maker: “Schwerin-Berlin 68”, horizontal pin with hook.

Fine zinc, French manufacture by Bacqueville-Paris, reverse with catch and horizontal pin, accompanied by slightly damaged cardboard box.

Silver-plated non-ferrous metal, height 9 mm, condition 2
Knight's Cross recipient Kapitänleutnant Hans Bartels - Commander of minesweeper “M1”. Bartels created the emblem for his unit. It was later adopted by the Coastal Security Unit Norway commanded by Bartels. Accompanied by a photocopy of the award certificate

Non-ferrous metal. Clearly worn, condition 2-.

Construction of gilt zinc alloy, mounted on blue uniform cloth, with backing plate. 

Fine zinc, gold-plated iron pin.

Fine zinc, silver-plated, reverse marked with manufacturer “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, with magnetic grooved pin. 

Fine zinc, manufactured by Steinhauer & Lück.