Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nicely patinated example of the German WWII Kriegsmarine Destroyer War Badge, awarded to members of destroyer crews during WWII. It is of die cast zinc alloy construction, as used for many German WWII awards. The badge is in very good condition, and still retains much of the gold wash on the badge's wreath, with areas worn down to the zinc base metal, which has oxidized. The ship and sea still retain most of the original blacked finish, which is also present on the reverse.

The design consists of a gold highlighted oval oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross), with a central depiction of a blacked Destroyer in a choppy sea. The reverse is solid, with a hook at the top and a horizontally attached non-magnetic tapered pin, retained by a barrel hinge and locking into a bent flat wire catch. No maker marking is present, which is not uncommon.

This German WWII Kriegsmarine Destroyer War Badge retains substantial gold-toned finish on the oak-leaf wreath, much of the darkened finish on the destroyer and sea, and its complete horizontal pin, barrel hinge, upper hook, and wire catch. Areas of finish loss have exposed the zinc base, which shows expected oxidation and age-related patination. Although the reverse is unmarked, the badge remains a substantially complete and well-preserved example with clear design details and intact attachment hardware.

The Destroyer War Badge (Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration and awarded to officers and crew for service on Kriegsmarine destroyers. It was instituted on 4 June 1940 by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder following the battle of Narvik. It was also awarded to the crews of torpedo boats and fast attack craft until the institution of the Fast Attack Craft War Badge.

The medal, designed by Paul Carsberg of Berlin, consists of an outer oakleaf laurel wreath of oak leaves with the national emblem of eagle clutching a swas (both golden colored) at its apex. The central area features a side-view of a destroyer cutting through a wave (both silver-grey to black in color). It was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded. Additionally, an embroidered cloth version was produced.

Required qualifications prior to 10 October 1940 included participation in the battles of Narvik. After this date:

-Wounded in action
-Served on ship sunk in action (Z1)
-Participation in three enemy engagements or at least in 12 non-enemy sorties
-Outstanding performance or other heroic deeds in a single action