~ Rare German WW2 1st Pattern E Boat Badge By Friedrich Keller ~
Rare to find one not made by Schwerin. A great crisp casting, with a mellowed gilt wash.
The reverse is stamped “Friedrich Keller Oberstein/N”.
~ E Boat Badge History ~
The Fast Attack Craft War Badge or S-Boat War Badge (German: Das Schnellbootkriegsabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to members of the Kriegsmarine for service on fast attack craft or patrol/torpedo boats. The award was instituted on 30 May 1941.[ Requirements to receive the award included: an outstandingly successful sortie, wounded in action, 12 sorties against enemy vessels or installations, or outstanding leadership.
The medal was produced in two versions. The original 1941 version consisted of a “shorter high-silhouette” S-boat with an outer gold laurel wreath of oak leaves with the German Eagle at the top, while clutching a swastika. The second later version was introduced in January, 1943. It had the same basic design, but with a “longer and newer” model S-boat and a larger German Eagle at the top. The badge was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross, if awarded.
~ Dimensions ~
The badge is 5.3 cm tall by 4 cm wide. It weighs 28.6 g.
~ Condition ~
Please refer to the images, the badge is in good order and the clasp works well.
ref. GS034848C PQFHX5LD34GG12M