BACKGROUND: The Blockade Runner’s Badge was instituted by Adolf Hitler on April 1ST 1941 for award to Naval personnel and Merchant marines who met specific criteria, the most important being returning a ship to Germany after running an enemy blockade.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, solid backed, badge with both bright and a burnished silver finishes. The 26mm circular badge features the forward profile of a merchant ship with a large, stylized national eagle figurehead clutching a canted swastika in its talons, encompassed by embossed, stylized chain links. The bow of the ship is breaking the encompassing chain links at the bottom of the badge, symbolizing running the enemy blockade. The badge is nicely detailed including cut-outs to the eagle's wings and recessed "windows" on the ship's bridge deck. Complete with its original 50mm rifled pin.