Germany, Third Reich, Kriegsmarine U-Boat Combat Clasp, Bronze Grade, zinc with light-bronze wash finish, this is the very rare 1st pattern of the badge with the central hollowed out area on the reverse, and complete with a wide tapered horizontal wearing pin which also differentiates from the ‘fluted’ example found on the 2nd pattern pin, reverse makers marked: ‘Entw. Peekhaus, Ausf. Schwerin, Berlin SW 68’, the 2nd pattern has the makers details word ‘Entwurf’ meaning ‘design’ in full, whereas the 1st pattern has it shortened to ‘Entw.’ and also has the letter ‘SW’ after Berlin. This complete with the original Detlev Niemann Certificate of Authentication for this exact badge. Extremely Rare.
Condition: bronze wash overall still present though slightly faded on the obverse, Good Very Fine.
The award was instituted on 15 May, 1944 to bring the U-boat force in line with other branches of the German armed forces, all of which had a similar medal to recognize valor. There were no specified merits for earning the award; decoration was based on the recommendations of the U-boat commander and subject to approval by Karl Dönitz. Awards were often due to the number of patrols completed or demonstrations of valor in combat.
