WW2 GERMAN NAVY MINESWEEPERS UNIFORM BADGE

Good condition un-marked German navy Minesweeper badge. Good mid war constructed piece, retaining much of the original gold and silver wash overall. Pin hinge assembly and hook. A well presented piece.

The award was made through the ships commander.  The following requirements were necessary to receive the badge:

Participation in three operational engagements
Excellence for performance over a six month period (if other criteria not met)
Hazardous duty in a mined area
25 days of escort duty

Awards could also be presented to soldiers, who were wounded during the course of action, sailing on a ship that was sunk in action, or if the operation was exceptionally successful.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine, Grand Admiral Raeder to recognised the dangerous and successful operations of the minesweepers, escort vessels, and sub-chasers and instituted the Mine Sweepers badge on August 31, 1940. The Minesweeper Badge was designed by sculptor Otto Placzek of Berlin and featured a large silver water funnel in the centre of the badge.  A gold wreath of oak leaves surrounds the water funnel with the national emblem at the top, wings outspread clutching a swastika.  Examples of the Minesweeper Badge can be found in both tombak and zinc.  It is not uncommon for zinc examples to lose their finish overtime, which results in a dull grey appearance. Pin attachment style varied by maker but examples can be found in both vertical and horizontal configurations.