Original Item: One of a Kind. This was just acquired from a collector at a large military collection. This is a very nice German WWII Kriegsmarine U-boat marked Cigarette case, made from what looks to be nickel alloy, which was once washed gold inside. The latch is marked ALPACCA, a known brand of German WWII era cigarette cases. When opened, the left compartment is named and dated as follows:

Nordsee, or the North Sea, was the first major Kriegsmarine theater of operations established, and as the name indicates, involved the North Sea area. The region was originally known as Der Kommandierende Admiral der Marinestation der Nordsee. The command was formed from a preexisting unit of the Reichsmarine, known as the Marinestation der Nordsee. In the spring of 1943, the title was renamed as the Marineoberkommando der Nordsee. Major subordinate districts were the Deutsches Marinekommando Italien (this command eventually became Naval Region South) and the Admiral in den Niederlanden which oversaw all German naval matters in the occupied Netherlands.

The lid of the case has two brass insignia: a Naval "Fouled Anchor" in the upper left, and a miniature U-boat War Badge in the lower right. They have definitely been on the case for some time, and we have no doubts regarding authenticity.

The case itself measures approximately 3 3/4" x 3" x 1/2", and the latch and hinge are fully functional. One of the cigarette retaining straps is still present, and in good condition, though it is not very elastic anymore. The interior of the case is marked with the German Reichsadler (State Eagle) over GES. GESCH., indicating that it was a trademarked design.

A wonderful piece of German WWII Militaria!