Decorations of the Kriegsmarine

Zinc, reverse with maker's marking.

Tombac.

Zinc, pin back variant, condition 2

Non-ferrous metal, swastika and ribbon polished, reverse marked: "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Condition 2+

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

Buntmetall, französische Fertigung der Firma Bacqueville-Paris, rückseitig Häkchen und Quernadel. 

Feinzink, rückseitig Markierung des Herstellers, dünne runde Eisennadel. 

französische Fertigung der Firma Bacqueville-Paris, rückseitig Häkchen und Quernadel.

This is the 1st model, manufactured from bronze-plated base metal, with pin fastener. Showing clear signs of wear, condition 2-.

Brass alloy, 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”.

Zinc alloy, gilding faded.

Fine zinc, reverse marked “R.S.”, the gilding only faintly preserved.

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

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.

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-.

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

Fine zinc, reverse with horizontal pin and suspension hook.

Bronze alloy, marked Schwerin-Berlin on reverse.

Non-ferrous metal, pin marked 4, catch missing, heavily worn.

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

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

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

Fine zinc, reverse marked by manufacturer “FLL 43”, round iron pin. Worn condition, Grade 2.

Fine zinc construction, without maker mark, Condition 2.

Fine zinc construction, reverse marked with manufacturer's designation, thin round iron pin.

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.

Half-miniature 22 mm, lightly worn, condition 2

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.

Non-ferrous metal, maker's marking on reverse, well-worn condition.

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Schwerin-Berlin 68”.

Fine zinc, reverse marked with manufacturer's marking, thin round iron pin.
Includes 3 miniatures.

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

Non-ferrous metal, wreath gilt with polished edges and swastika, the ship and waves bronzed, maker marked on reverse: “Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. Lightly worn, condition 2.

This is the 1st model, manufactured from bronze-plated base metal, with pin back.

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

Zinc, reverse with maker's mark "Fec. Otto Platzeck Berlin - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Condition 3

Gilt tombac, manufactured by Schwerin-Berlin, condition 2

Non-ferrous metal.

Non-ferrous metal, heavily worn condition

Fine zinc, reverse with ball hinge and thin iron pin.

Zinc, horizontal pin on reverse.

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. 

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

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Schwerin-Berlin 68”. Lightly worn, condition 2.

Fine zinc with bronze finish, reverse marked with manufacturer “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, fitted with magnetic hinged pin. Condition 2.

Executed in fine zinc, the pins have been repaired!

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

Bronzed plaque made of sheet steel, height approx. 70 mm, with engraving of the sailing regatta “Olympiajollen Kiel 27.6.36”, attached to a wooden plaque with 3 nails. Condition 2.

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

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

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

Feinzink, rückseitig mit Herstellerbezeichnung "Fec. Otto Placzek Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin", mit der 24 mm Halbminiatur an Nadel, im blauen Etui, innen blaue Sprühfilzeinlage und Seidenfutter. Zustand 3.

Non-ferrous metal, wreath gilt with polished edges and swastika, the ship and waves burnished, reverse side with maker's mark: "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Unworn condition.

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”.

Fine zinc construction, reverse marked with manufacturer code “AS”. The original silver and gilt finish still well preserved, condition 2.

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

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

Fine zinc construction, reverse marked "Schwerin-Berlin". Pin and catch are magnetic. Worn condition.

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

Zinc, horizontal pin on reverse.

Ribbon for the Iron Cross 2nd Class (awarded August 19, 1940).
Minesweeper War Badge (awarded November 25, 1940). Base metal, reverse marked by manufacturer "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Worn, condition 2.
E-Boat War Badge 1st Model (awarded May 8, 1942), base metal construction, on horizontal pin, reverse marked "Schwerin-Berlin 68". Worn, upper suspension hook missing on reverse, condition 2.
Iron Cross 1939 1st Class (awarded July 17, 1943), maker "20", clearly worn, condition 2-.
German Cross in Gold (awarded October 7, 1944), lightweight construction by Zimmermann firm, pin missing on reverse. Lightly worn, condition 2. Navy Front Clasp (awarded August 1, 1945), typical shipboard fabrication, hand-worked from copper sheet, reverse filled with lead and pin system, condition 2.
All decorations are housed in a very fine open case, covered with black cloth.
Very fine original photograph as Oberleutnant zur See with all awards, postcard size, inscribed on reverse "Spring 1945".
Included is the Soldbuch, issued July 5, 1941 by the Naval Academy Flensburg-Mürwik, with uniform photo as Oberfähnrich, completely filled with all entries, promotions and all awards, clothing and equipment, military pay, leaves, etc. Nessmann must have volunteered for the Small Battle Units in 1945, entry on page 20 "K.-Verband fitness: Fit II, January 23, 1945 - Signature Marine-Stabsarzt and Regimentsarzt K.-Regiment (mot)", last entry from October 1, 1945 3rd R.Flotilla under British command with the G.M/S.A. in Kiel, with pasted "Enrolment Order" dated July 18, 1946 at rear. The Soldbuch is heavily used, eagle denazified on exterior, hole-punched, condition 3.

Fine zinc, gold-plated iron pin.

Non-ferrous metal, polished edges, marked R.K. on reverse.

Machine-embroidered cloth version on dark blue wool, unworn in good condition.
Of the sleeve badges, only this one machine-embroidered version exists; all other productions, e.g., hand-embroidered with metal thread, were all manufactured after 1945. The Proficiency and Combat Badges for Small Battle Units were instituted on November 30, 1944, by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Karl Dönitz. The combat badge was awarded to soldiers of the small battle units who had volunteered as individual combatants. An additional requirement was two months' membership in the small battle unit. 

These sleeve badges come from the estate of a Kriegsmarine Bootsmann, which we were able to purchase recently. In the estate, in addition to various sleeve, rank, and cap badges, there were a total of 20 Proficiency Badges for Small Battle Units. We assume that the petty officer was an instructor with the Small Battle Units who distributed the badges after successful completion of training. These were likely the sleeve badges remaining with him at the end of the war.

Price per piece.

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

Bronzed fine zinc, reverse marked with maker “Entw. Peekhaus Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin S.W.”, with magnetic hinged pin. Lightly worn, condition 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”

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

Buntmetall, Hakenkreuz und Schleife poliert, rückseitig Herstellerbezeichnung: "Fec. Adolf Bock - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin". Zustand 2+

aufgeklammerter Kranz vergoldet, gestickt auf blauer Tuchunterlage. Rückseitig mit Herstelleretikett "A. Westmann Dresden". Getragen, in gutem Zustand.
Sehr selten, es gab lediglich ca. 1000 Angehörige der Kriegsmarine, die mit dem Deutschen Kreuz in Gold ausgezeichnet wurden. 

Zinc, horizontal pin on reverse.

Non-ferrous metal, maker “Schwerin-Berlin 68”.

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

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

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

Aluminum, pin damaged

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

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

Non-ferrous metal.

machine-embroidered cloth version on dark blue wool, unworn, with slight moth damage, condition 2-.
Of the sleeve badges, only this one machine-embroidered version exists; all other productions, e.g. hand-embroidered with metal thread, were all manufactured after 1945. The Proficiency and Combat Badges for Small Battle Units were instituted on November 30, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Karl Dönitz. The Combat Badge was awarded to soldiers of the Small Battle Units who had volunteered as individual combatants. An additional requirement was a 2-month membership in the Small Battle Unit. 

This sleeve badge originates from the estate of a Kriegsmarine Bootsmann, which we were able to purchase recently. In the estate, in addition to various sleeve, rank, and cap badges, there were a total of 20 Proficiency Badges for Small Battle Units. We assume that the petty officer was an instructor with the Small Battle Units who distributed the badges after successful completion of training. These were then probably the sleeve badges remaining with him at the end of the war.

Zinc, silver-plated and toned, reverse with maker's mark "Fec. Otto Platzeck Berlin - Ausf. Schwerin Berlin", magnetic pin.

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