Description
Original WWII Kriegsmarine U-Boat War Badge (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen)
by Frank & Reif, Stuttgart
This is an original German World War II Kriegsmarine U-Boat War Badge (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen), manufactured by Frank & Reif of Stuttgart, a known wartime producer of naval awards.
The U-Boat War Badge was instituted on October 13, 1939, by Großadmiral Erich Raeder, Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy. It was awarded to U-boat personnel who successfully completed a minimum of two combat patrols, or alternatively to those wounded in action or lost with their vessel.
The badge design consists of a submarine (U-boat) set within an oval oak leaf wreath, symbolizing strength and endurance at sea. At the top is a Kriegsmarine national eagle clutching a swastika, completing the official naval award motif. This example represents the 1939 pattern, identifiable by the U-boat’s bow facing left, a characteristic of the early wartime design.
Construction and detailing are consistent with authentic wartime manufacture, with strong definition visible in the wreath, eagle, and hull contours. The reverse is correctly marked “Frank & Reif, Stuttgart”, confirming originality and maker attribution.
The U-Boat War Badge remains one of the most iconic decorations of the German Navy during World War II. Maker-marked examples by Frank & Reif are well regarded by collectors for their solid construction and correct period characteristics.
A genuine, historically significant Kriegsmarine award, suitable for an advanced WWII naval militaria collection.
