Original Item: Only One Available. Ever seen the film "Das Boot"? If so, you'll recognize this pin-backed badge. The U-boat War Badge (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat crew members during World War I and World War II. This early pattern does not have any maker marking on the back, but the tombac construction, fire gilding, and tapered "German silver' pinback are textbook for unmarked examples made by the desirable C.E. Juncker of Berlin. We have compared it to other examples, and the hardware is identical, and as described in The Kriegsmarine Awards by Sascha Weber and Gerhard P. Skora, page 56.

Even better, this example is marked on the back to the owner! Finely scratched into the rear of the wreath is what looks to be rank Ob. Strm. on one side, and last name Otten on the other. Obersteuermann (Chief Helmsman) is a Senior Chief Petty Officer rank with a Navigator rating. They would have been in charge of steering the U-boat under the Captain's commands.

The U-boat War Badge was originally instituted during the First World War on February 1, 1918. It was awarded to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. A submarine lay across the center and the German State Crown (Reichskrone) was inlaid at the top center of the wreath.

On October 13, 1939, the U-boat War Badge was reinstituted. It was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the imperial crown being replaced with a German Reichsadler (National Eagle) emblem, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used. The new version was first made of bronze metal, with later ones made of zinc with a "gold wash".

This fine example is the early tombac version attributed to a famous maker, and is in really great shape, showing minimal wear and no damage or other major oxidation. The flat pinback is intact and works great!

A lovely early example, one of only a few originals that we have had, and also named to a Kriegsmarine sailor. Ready to research and display!

More on the U-Boat War Badge

The award was bestowed in two classes:

U-Boat War Badge
There were several ways to be awarded this medal. The most common would be the completion of two or more war patrols. Although the completion of two war patrols might seem a lowly requirement, but a typical U-boat war cruise would often run into months at a time. Completing two war patrols could be equally dangerous as the U-boat has to endure constant attacks by Allied aircraft and warships. The other occasion when this badge was awarded was having been wounded during a patrol or killed in action.

U-boat War Badge with Diamonds
The U-boat War Badge with Diamonds was instituted by Großadmiral Karl Dönitz after he had received from Grand Admiral Erich Raeder a special solid gold version of the U-boat War Badge in which the wreath as well as the swas were inlaid with diamonds.

The badge was a special issue award given to U-boat commanders who had received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. This version was made of gold plate over silver. Manufactured by the firms Schwerin u. Sohn and Gebr. Godet & Co. It was the same as the basic pattern but with nine small diamonds inlaid in the swas. This award was more of a personal award by Dönitz. Approximately 30 were awarded, including the original one to Admiral Dönitz.