Kriegsmarine Auxiliary Cruiser

[Gordon Williamson]

This one has been sitting on Detlev's list for a few weeks now. I toyed with the idea of buying it but this week had the chance to see it "in the flesh" and couldn't resist it as it looked far better than in the photos.

[Gordon Williamson]

What swung it for me was the repair which is obviously period ( where the repair didn't have to look pretty, just do the job of securing the pin) and a bit of research into Auxiliary Cruisers I read in the files of the U-Boat Archiv when I was over there this week. According to some German research, a number has been put on the number of crews who passed through Auxiliary Cruiser service and would have qualified for this badge. That number was quoted as approximately 3600, meaning that an awarded Auxiliary Cruiser Badge is rarer than a German Cross or even a Knight's Cross.

Obviously far more were made than were ever issued, but to me the crude repair (possibly on board ship) speaks of a piece that has "been there" rather than one looted from stores at the end of the war.

[Martin W]

Nice looking badge Gordon and it appears to show good,honest wear.The Schwerin Hilfskreuzer has to be my favorite of all Kriegsmarine badges.I have two zinc examples but no tombak one yet.I think that the recipient of this badge went through a lot of trouble to repair it as he liked it so much.

Regards,Martin.

[Naxos]

but to me the crude repair (possibly on board ship) speaks of a piece that has "been there" rather than one looted from stores at the end of the war.

I feel the same way about an award.

To have provenance or, like above, evidence that the item "was there" goes a long way for making allowances on condition.

Regards, Hardy

[paddywhack]

iv an amazing jumkers aux crusier badge that hes been expertly die-nazified and i like it more then the "normal" nazified ones cos it was loved by the vet and used after the war to!!!