BACKGROUND: Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral, (Commander in Chief of the Navy and Grand Admiral), Karl Dönitz introduced the U-Boat Combat Clasp on May 15TH 1944 for award to U-Boat personnel in appreciation of the risks they faced. The criteria for award of the U-Boat Combat Clasp varied and was based on the recommendation of the U-Boat commander. Recommendation for award of the U-Boat Combat Clasp was forwarded to the OKM, Oberkommando der Marine, (High Command of the Navy), and had to be personally approved by Dönitz before bestowal. Originally the U-Boat Combat Clasp was only awarded in a bronze version until regulations of November 24TH 1944 introduced a silver version. This example appears to be the 1957 issue as the national eagle and swastika have been removed.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nicely detailed, die struck, alloy construction clasp with a silver washed finish. The clasp features a central motif of a U-Boat over crossed swords flanked by oak-leaves. The clasp retains app 90% of its original silver wash. The reverse has a soldered, barrel type hinge, a broad, tapering, horizontal pin and a soldered catch on an oval base plate inset into an oval recess all intact. The clasp has no visible manufacturers markings

GRADE ****                             PRICE $117.00