Condition: Nearly Mint!!
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Product Description: This is a fantastic early example of the Kriegsmarine Minesweeper Badge, in outstanding condition. If not for some extremely minor finish wear to the waterspout, and slight age toning to the reverse, it would look exactly the way it did the day it was completed at the factory. The badge is unmarked, but is known as the Deumer pattern. The beautiful original fire-gilding on the wreath and German eagle and swastika emblem is 100 percent intact, with its original luster. A couple of tiny wear spots on the original silver finish on the waterspout reveal the Tombak base metal. The reverse has all of the original finish and a textbook hardware setup that is functional and completely intact. It is hard to find any original WWII German award in this condition. This Minesweeper Badge is gorgeous and truly near mint condition.
Historical Description: The Minesweeper, Sub-Chaser and Escort Vessel War Badge (Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände) was instituted on August 31, 1941 by Kriegsmarine leader Grossadmiral Erich Raeder. The purpose of this award was to recognize the achievement and experience of the sailors on the German Navy’s minesweeper vessels. In this unnerving duty, sailors faced exposure to the elements as well as constant danger from mines, submarines, and airplanes. The Minesweeper Badge features a representation of an exploding sea mine, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by the German national eagle and swastika emblem. It was designed by Otto Placzek and was made in tombak and zinc, with most later examples being the zinc type. The award could be ordered by leaders of minesweeper boats, patrol boats, and special units, and by superior Kriegsmarine commands. To qualify for this badge, a sailor had to make three operational sorties, be wounded on a sortie, show exemplary conduct over a six-mionth period, participate in an especially dangerous mission, serve on escort duty for 25 days or more, or be on a ship that was sunk by enemy action- the badge could be awarded posthumously.
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