Gordon Williamson

"H" ?

Reverse

Next one.

Looks like a "2" but I don't think it can be.

Reverse

Any ideas on these

But with "800" mark as well as the "K.M."

Reverse

Here is my KM. Looks like the first one Micha posted

Looks to me like Ob.F.z.S. or Oberf?hnrich zur See.

An unusual name as not many German surnames begin with a letter "C".

I can only find one, a Heinz-G?nther Carle who was Kapit?nleutnant in 1942 and was a signals officer in the light anti-aircraft branch of the navy.

A senior cadet on the date shown on the label would have been comissioned Leutnant before the outbreak of war and quite easily have reached Kaleu by 1942 so it could be the same guy. Rick is the man you need for confirmation, or otherwise, of this or any other possible candidates.

Welcome indeed Paul ! I am sure this new Japanese sub-forum will be a roaring success under your guidance.

For me, an absolute "Yes" on number (2), the Lid Inscriptions. I am never sure if the time period of the awards inside those I have match the time period of the inscritions on the lids or if there has been a "mix and match" at some time.

Thanks for the clarification on this Paul. Certainly makes more sense.

I was going by Petersen who states "given to soldiers departing for China until the summer of 1945"

The marks

Reverse. The hooked piece isn't twisted, its just distortion on the scanner.

Recently acquired pair of Godet EK1s. Anyone have any thoughts on the tehory I've seen quoted that the flat "G"s were the official pieces and the vaulted "Godet Berlin" with hooks the private purchase version.

The flat "G" has fantastic patina, almost totally black. The vaulted, hooked piece has a bit more wear and tear but still overjoyed to get it (thanks Mike !!!)

From the additional photos I don't like the look of this one. It seems that only the removable top is lined but the cap body has no interior, just a band like that on a Matrosenm?tze. Even the caps with removable tops should be fully lined, like this one.

Could be OK,but more photos needed to have any chance of being sure. Chinstrap isn't the standard one, but that isn't really a problem. Can we see the interior ?

Truly awesome ! And one of the most professionally well presented collections I've had the pleasure of looking at. Puts some Museum presentations to shame. Nothing humble about it.

Not too difficult to research. The badge was issued after two war cruises. Not that many U-Boats were actually operational at the outbreak of war so tracking the date of completion of the second war cruise of each of them would reveal which boats crews were technically the first to qualify.

I believe those who took part in the sinking of the Royal Oak on 14 October 1939 received the badge , when the first issues were made for "normal" service as opposed to one of dramatic actions like Scapa Flow could be worked out but some would have already qualified when the badge became available so probably the intitution date or immediately afterwards.

First off his U-boat badge award doc. Has anyone ever seen one this early??!!

Fabulous set Simon. I've had loads of U-Boat badge award documents, but only ever had one prior to 1940.

Very rare indeed.

Pretty compelling argument Dan. I think you have nailed it.

In fact with Kriegsministerium being one word, I suspect that there would have been no period between the K and M, but with K?nigliche and M?nzamt being two words, a period between the K and M , but no period between S and T makes perfect sense. The evidence of the fancy retaining clip just seals it.

Just out of interest here is an early, but accurate, copy which shows what the badge would have looked like. Note the large eagle/swastika similar to that used on the Luftwaffe Flak Badge and not the incorrect small type from the Erdkampfabzeichen which is used on most fakes.

As for 2nd Classes, one piecers are also OK for 1939 Crosses. This Spangenst?ck is struck in zink, one piece.

Here is another one-piecer from the same family, pinback this time.

Here are my 1870s. The first three EK2s from left all have the very sharp core details and matt black (chemical rather than paint ?) finish and I believe to be of the period.

The NK one to extreme right however is what I have always considered a much later piece from the Jubilee or after, but still has the same sharp core and matt blackened rather than painted finish, so I don't think these features in themselves necessarily indicate early manufacture.

Of course with them being made officially from 1870 right through to 1945, exact date of manufacture on some pieces can always be a matter of conjecture, but I'd be happy to own the piece that David has.