Navy Destroyer Badge by S.H.u.Co.

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

A Kriegsmarine Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen by Sohni, Heubach und Co. of Idar-Oberstein. Instituted June 4, 1940, the Navy Destroyer War Badge could be awarded to every crew member and officer of every destroyer, torpedo boat or S-boat who took part in the actions in Norway (especially around Narvik). They must also be in good standing and participation in either three engagements or three offensive mining operations or 12 sorties against the enemy, there were other special considerations or conditions that may grant the badge as well. The badge is constructed out of a die struck zinc base that has been blackened and gold gilded. To the obverse we have destroyer ship breaking through the sea below a Kriegsmarine eagle (with out-stretched wings, clutching a swastika within its talons), which is then all encompassed by a laurel leaf wreath. The reverse of the badge is fully blackened. It is correctly marked: “S.H.u.Co.”. It has the correct; soldered-on round wire top hook, soldered-on rectangular plate round wire catch, soldered-on sheet metal hinge and round wire pin. The details throughout the ship, waves and eagle are beautiful. It measures 2 1/8 inches high by 1 13/16 inches wide. A solid piece!