BACKGROUND: On entering Kriegsmarine service all personnel were assigned and trained for a specific career. These careers consisted of a wide variety of specialty trades and functions with some of the careers restricted to certain rank groups. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issued distinctive career insignia to be worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniforms. In all the Kriegsmarine utilized no fewer then twenty-five assorted trade badges with most being carried over from the Weimar, Reichsmarine, (National Navy Circa 1919-1933), era. For EM/NCO’s the career insignia could be worn combined with the rank insignia or as separate insignia. Enlisted ranks of Matrose up to and including Hauptgefreiter career insignia were generally embroidered on small round bases while NCO ranks of Maat up to and including Oberdeckoffizier career insignia were on larger, vertically oval bases and could come in embroidered or stamped alloy versions. Regulations dictated that the base color of the insignia was to match the color of the uniform it was worn on. Of Note: Rank designations were tied to the career the individual was assigned to and in this case the proper rank designation is Oberbootsmannsmaat.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The unique, two piece, insignia consists of a roughly, 4" tall, 2 5/8" wide, vertically oval, navy blue wool base with a machine embroidered, vertical, fouled anchor position above a single, machine embroidered chevron all in golden yellow cotton threads. Interestingly the chevron is on a separate, cut-out piece of navy blue wool and has been neatly handstitched to the fouled anchor’s oval navy blue wool base. The configuration of the insignia would seem to indicate a rank promotion. The reverse of the insignia has a protective black fabric backing intact. The insignia is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and stitch holes and minor fraying to the outer edges of the navy blue wool base.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $37.00