{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-kriegsmarine-minesweeper-war-badge-by-c-schwerin-amp-sohn-period-repaired-catch","title":"Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Minesweeper War Badge by C. Schwerin \u0026amp; Sohn - Period Repaired Catch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the German WWII Kriegsmarine Minesweeper War Badge, manufactured by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eC. Schwerin \u0026amp; Sohn of Berlin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a well known and desirable maker of Kriegsmarine badges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe badge appears to have a zinc alloy body and remains in very good overall condition. The silvered finish on the central exploding mine and waves is still well retained. Most of the gold wash on the surrounding oak leaf wreath and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReichsadler\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e national eagle has worn away, while the remaining bronze colored finish displays some light oxidation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design consists of an oval oak leaf wreath surmounted by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross). The center depicts an exploding naval mine rising above a series of detailed waves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse is solid and fitted with a tapered brass pin secured to a soldered hinge. The original catch was replaced during the period of use with a flat wire catch. The replacement remains functional and partially obscures the maker marking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse is marked:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFEC. OTTO PLACZEK BERLIN.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAUSF. SCHWERIN BERLIN.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe second line is partially obscured by the period replaced catch. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFEC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an abbreviation of the Latin word \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003efecit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning “he made it,” and identifies Otto Placzek of Berlin as the designer. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAUSF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an abbreviation of the German word \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAusführung\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, indicating the firm responsible for manufacturing the badge. In this case, the marking identifies Schwerin of Berlin, referring to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eC. Schwerin \u0026amp; Sohn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Minesweeper War Badge, officially known as the Minesweepers, Submarine Hunters and Escort Vessels War Badge (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), was instituted on August 31, 1940, by Kriegsmarine Commander in Chief Grand Admiral Erich Raeder. It recognized the service and experience of sailors assigned to German minesweepers and related vessels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinesweeping and escort duty exposed sailors to difficult weather, sea mines, submarines, aircraft, and other enemy action. The badge could be awarded for completing three operational sorties, being wounded during an operation, participating in a particularly dangerous mission, displaying exemplary conduct during six months of service, completing at least 25 days of escort duty, or serving aboard a vessel sunk by enemy action. It could also be awarded posthumously.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned by Otto Placzek, the badge was manufactured in both tombak and zinc, with zinc becoming more common during later wartime production. Its central exploding mine and waves provide a particularly dramatic representation of the dangerous work performed by German minesweeper, submarine hunting, and escort vessel crews.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example is particularly appealing for its desirable Schwerin manufacture, well retained central silvering, clearly legible designer marking, and period replacement catch. The worn gold finish, light oxidation, and repaired catch give it the honest appearance of an award that saw considerable service use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44908952420421,"sku":"ONAC25SD1251","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD1251__01.jpg?v=1777456824","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-kriegsmarine-minesweeper-war-badge-by-c-schwerin-amp-sohn-period-repaired-catch","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}