MINT Kriegsmarine U-Boat front clasp in bronze by Schwerin Berlin

Description

Hard to find, unworn and MINT, Kriegsmarine U-Boat Front Clasp in Bronze (U-Boot Frontspange). The clasp is executed in ‘Feinzink’ and still retains all of its original bronze finish. The clasp is nicely marked on the reverse with ‘Entwurf Peekhaus’ and ‘Ausf. Schwerin, Berlin 68’ indicating production by the company of ‘Schwerin & Söhne’ from Berlin. This is a second pattern clasp with the fluted pin. The pin & catch are of course fully functional. It is very hard to find an original U-Boat Front Clasp in this condition!

The U-Boat Front Clasp was instituted by Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral: ‘Karl Dönitz’ on 15 May 1944. 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. On 24 November 1944 a version in silver was introduced to further recognize bronze holders with continued merits and acts of valor.