Cased Blockade Runner Badge & Stickpin by Schwerin

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Navy Awards > Blockade Badge

A Kriegsmarine Abzeichen für Blockadebrecher mit Nadel Miniatur im Etui by C. Schwerin & Sohn of Berlin. The Navy Blockade Runner Badge was awarded to non-military and later military personnel who gave service on auxiliary or merchant vessels employed in military duties which broke through the British sea blockade on Germany. It is constructed out of a die struck tombak base that has been chemically blackened and silver washed. The round shaped obverse features a merchant ship breaking through the sea, with a silver Kriegsmarine eagle (with out-stretched wings clutching a swastika within its talons), which is all surrounded by elongated chain links. The full back reverse is correctly designer / maker marked: “Fec. Otto Placzek Berlin Ausf. Schwerin Berlin”. It has the correct; soldered on tombak block hinge, soldered on tombak flatwire catch and coke bottle pin. The details throughout the ship and eagle are superb! It measures 1 15/16 inches in diameter. Accompanying the Badge is the stickpin. It is a smaller version, measuring 1 inch in diameter, and has a soldered on and knurled stickpin to the reverse. Both pieces come housed in its appropriate presentation case. The case is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated grained blue leatherette. The interior of the case is constructed out of a pressed cardboard base that is covered in a blue velvet material. The base has a recess that outlines a pin, hinge and catch assembly along with a recessed portion and loop for the stickpin. The interior lid is lined in a blue satin with an underlying pad. The same satin material is used for the interior hinge. To the very front is a round gilded steel push button and the back features two steel piano hinges There is the odd mark to the exterior. It measures 4 1/8 inches wide by 3 3/8 inches deep by 7/8 of an inch thick. A great assembly!