BACKGROUND: The High Seas Fleet War Badge was instituted by Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral, (Commander in Chief of the Navy and Grand Admiral), Erich Raeder on April 30^TH 1941 to recognise the actions of personnel serving on German battleships and cruisers in the battle against England. Bestowal criteria varied with the main qualification being twelve weeks of active service on a battleship or cruiser. Of Note: The High Seas Fleet War Badge along with a few other Kriegsmarine war badges were manufactured by the A. Bacqueville firm of Paris and although this example is unmarked it has the characteristics of a Bacqueville produced badge.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, partially scoop backed, slightly convexed, alloy construction award with gilt and silver washes, features a vertically oval, oak-leave wreath with a national eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a canted swastika in it’s talons, superimposed to the top center, encompassing a nicely detailed, cut-out, "face on", likeness of the battleship Bismarck cutting through waves. The original gilt wash to the wreath and eagle is retained about 55% with spots of wear to the flat matte grey of the base alloy. The silver wash to the battleship and waves is retained about 85%. The reverse of the badge has a subtle, partially scooped back to the battleship. The reverse has a crimped, soldered hinge on a circular base plate, a broad, tapered, horizontal pin and a heavy, soldered, catch all intact. The reverse also has a soldered, heavy wire hook near the top edge. The badge has no visible manufacturer’s markings.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $1,190.00