Norm F

I have yet to see any version of this obverse design (characterized by the plain vertical binding ribbon at the top of the wreath) that is proven to be WW2 or earlier production. The screwback version sometimes bears a fake Meybauer stamp as well.

I've only just noticed this thread, but I view all of these Imperial U-Boats with the Marian Cross as likely reproductions. The wide variety of reverse hardware in both zinc and brass alloy, some of which attempts to mimic Meybauer hardware is suspicious enough, but also there's this example which is a cast reproduction of the S&L design but has the exact same Marian Cross stamp in it. Furthermore, there's no logical reason for any legitimate maker of period awards to stamp a Marian Cross into the badge in the first place. Best regards, ---Norm

Yes indeed, two Fleet badges, a Hilfskreuzer and a Minesweeper badge. Is it known aboard what ship this photo of bearded officers was taken? Best regards, ---Norm

It's the '57 version of the Fleet Badge. Best regards, ---Norm

It's a long story, but these KM clasps are attributed to Juncker, not Klein, as the manufacturing characteristics match the "non-Klein" one-piece Heer clasps (which forensically shares some pin characteristics with the Juncker EK1 clasps) and also the Luftwaffe one-piece clasps for which Juncker-labelled packaging exists. Not surprising given Juncker's status for higher end orders. They're Tombak. Material restrictions in late wartime didn't apply to the higher orders (hence no zinc German Crosses) There's only one manufacturer of the KM clasp known, but two variations based upon the trimming characteristics. The "earlier" one, "Type 1" as alluded to by Hubert in an earlier post, has variable hand-cut internal cutouts whereas the "Type 2" (same die characteristics) used a standardized trimming die for the internal cutouts. Best regards, ---Norm

Excellent! Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Andy, That's a misprint in Weber/Skora, The Kriegsmarine Awards, Vol. 1. Under catch material it should say "Tombak, soldered", not "steel". So yes, it should not attract to a magnet. Best regards, ---Norm

​Congratulations! I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to find such a photo showing a recognizable Assmann, and you're quite right it is indeed an Assmann Minesweeper -- only the second one I've seen to date. Cheers, ---Norm

​Yes, indeed, looks like a Friedrich August Cross 1st class. Best regards, ---Norm ' alt='' class='ipsImage' width="1000px" height="740px"> ' alt='' class='ipsImage' width="1000px" height="740px">

Yes, very interesting photos. Hard to say about which medal? Best regards, ---Norm

Very nice to see a mini in wear! Of all the minis that exist, it makes sense that there would be the greatest chance of seeing a Blockade Breaker mini in wear since they were awarded to civilians. I've often wondered why it's near impossible to find photos of other KM badge minis in wear, and I can only assume it's because in wartime there was virtually no opportunity for a sailor to be off for an extended leave in cvilian clothes to wear such a thing. Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Larry, He's also wearing his ribbon bar with the WW1 EK2 and KVK2 so quite a record there. From the look of him and his wife he could be in his 40's and have been a teenager in WW1 -- maybe a career Navy guy? And he could be wearing his blue uniform since he's stepping out with his wife. Best regards. ---Norm

Hm. I can't read that article without spending a couple of days with a dictionary and using Google translate doesn't make much sense out of it, but for what it's worth the "tone" of the Google translation seemed highly sarcastic? Perhaps Nick or someone else can paraphrase it for us? Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Guys, I believe we can say Japan without a shadow of a doubt. Not only is the design and manufacture of the badge uniquely different from any German made war badge, but the only two photos seen to date showing the badge in wear (posted by Monsun) were both taken in Japan. The clincher is the information on this reference website on silver hallmarks around the world, http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks2.html , an excerpt of which I've attached here which shows that between 1928 and 1954 Japan used the "STERLING" mark. Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Guys, On close comparison of Monsun's second portrait photo with Martin's Schwerin and Japanese Hilfskreuzer badges, I think we can definitely say it's another example of the Japanese badge in wear. Despite the differences in angle, you can see key areas that correspond with the Japanese badge like the high eagle's head, lack of post at the stern, tall bottom wreath ribbon and matching position of the lines of longitude. Best regards, ---Norm

Actually the Schickle/Pforzheim hardware. Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Gordon, What a beautiful textbook mint cap! Thanks for posting. Very similar to the one my Dad wore in 1939-40 as Funkmeister of the 3. Räumbootsflottille, albeit with a different cockade I think. Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Martin, Great portrait! Here's a photo of my Dad (in the centre) during basic training in 1936 in Stralsund in the field grey uniforms with helmets. Notice their uniforms didn't have the national eagle on them. Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Martin, What a wonderful portrait! The composition, lighting, dramatic impact is outstanding, not to mention the detail on the awards and the bullion breast eagle. Thanks for posting this! Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Perce, I quite agree. Both are obvious cast reproductions which someone denazified, probably to make them appear more "genuine"? Best regards, ---Norm

Hi Erik, I think you are exactly right. You can see the vertical grooves from the vaulting process on each side and the one on the left is exactly in line with the period, extending upward and flattening it. Cheers. ---Norm

Again the two maker marks, "early" with dots and "late" without dots.

Hi Erik, As Gordon says, a perfectly original uncommon variant which I believe is earlier than the usual version. Ironically, the trigger for your observation was incorrect. The zincer on page 276 in fact has the usual "dot-less" mark but there happens to be bubble in the finish slightly higher than than the location of the dot in the variant mark which gives the false impression of an intentional dot. In fact, the variant mark with dots doesn't occur on the zinc badges. But all good, since it made you go and get your good Schwerin out of your fake drawer! Also, in actuality the variant mark with dots is not missing the period after "AUSF"as you suspected -- it's simply worn on your example. Another difference in the variant mark though, aside from the dots before both "BERLIN"s, is that the "E"s in Berlin are more level in the early variant than in the usual mark. Finally, the variant badges always seem to have the dome head of the hinge pin oriented to the left. On the conventional badge it is oriented in either direction but the vast majority of the time to the right. So there you have it. This is variation 1.1.3 in our Minesweeper Classification Table. Best regards, ---Norm

Photos of the Bremse during the movie shoot: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363395&highlight=Bremse Photos of my Dad in uniform: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348232 Cheers. ---Norm

Thanks very much Gordon. That makes a lot of sense. So probably already a "Schiff" by 1939 vs. right at the outbreak of war.