BACKGROUND: EM/NCO personnel holding the ranks of Schütze to Stabsfeldwebel inclusively who had achieved proficiency at a particular trade, specialty or function were distinguished, on successful completion of the appropriate training, by being issued a distinctive trade specialty badge that was most commonly worn on the lower right sleeve of the service tunic or field blouse with a few exceptions. The original trade badges were introduced in 1934 and were supplemented with additional badges right up to mid-1944. In all the German army utilized no fewer then twenty-eight assorted trade specialty badges. Some of the trades were only open to enlisted ranks while those open to NCO’s ranks were distinguished by the addition of a piping on the trade badge. Originally the trade badges were worked on a blue/green badge cloth base, but in early 1940 this was altered to a field-grey wool base or the appropriate color of the uniform it was to be worn on. The Boat Pilot’s Badge was introduced in early 1934, for award to Pionier, (Combat Engineer), EM/NCO’s who were qualified as helmsmen on motorboats on inland waterways. Qualified personnel wore the badge on the upper left sleeve of the dress, service and field uniforms. The original Boat Pilot’s Badges were produced in stamped metal until a machine embroidered version was introduced in November 1935, and a hand embroidered version was also introduced for wear on privately purchased tunics.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Pre-1940 version in the form of a 75mm tall x 60mm wide dark blue/green badge cloth oval with a machine embroidered helms-wheel superimposed on an anchor, all in silver/grey thread.