Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Ratings Badges with Dog Tag and Cap Tally Grouping - 6 Items

Original Items: Only One Lot of 4 Available. The Kriegsmarine (War Navy) was the navy of NSDAP Germany from 1935 to 1945, having superseded the interwar Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was involved in World War II from its outset, and was originally intended to achieve a fleet power in parity with the UK Royal Navy per "Plan Z", implemented in January 1939. The breakout of WWII in September 1939 however caused a change in direction to favor U-Boat warfare, so plan Z was shelved for the remainder of the war.

This is a very nice collection of German WWII Kriegsmarine Navy Ratings Badges with a Dog Tag and Cap Tally, which was brought back from the European theater by a USGI after the war was concluded. Many solders traded these on the way back, and would end up with a pocket full of various different collectible items, and this set represents the typical "haul" one might have come back with.

This grouping is a fantastic set of f German Kriegsmarine Rating Insignia, along with a Dog Tag and Cap Tally, which would be a worthy part of any German Naval collection. This grouping includes FOUR different Ratings or "Trade" badges for Petty officers.

On entering Kriegsmarine service all personnel were assigned and trained for a specific career. These careers consisted of a wide variety of specialty trades and functions with some of the careers restricted to certain rank groups. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issued distinctive career insignia to be worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniforms. For EM/NCO’s the career insignia could be worn combined with the rank insignia or as separate insignia. Enlisted ranks of Matrose up to and including Hauptgefreiter career insignia were generally embroidered on small, round, bases while NCO ranks of Maat up to and including Oberdeckoffizier career insignia were on larger, vertically oval bases and could come in embroidered or stamped alloy versions. Regulations dictated that the base color of the insignia was to match the color of the uniform it was worn on.

The four WWII Kriegsmarine ratings badges included as part of this set are (Left to Right):

- Signalgastmaat (Signalmans Mate 3rd Class) Metal Ratings Badge. This features a navy blue backing with gilt metal insignia. and a metal backing plate, which has a navy blue felt pad on the back. There is an anchor with crossed semaphore flags on top of it, with the flags themselves being embroidered. There is no chevron underneath, indicating a 3rd Class Petty Officer. Condition is very good, and there is even a marking on the back of the padding, which looks to read K 1 7 40.

- Funkermaat (Radiomans Mate 3rd Class) Embroidered Ratings Badge. This features a navy blue backing with gold embroidered insignia. There is an anchor with a lightning bolt on top of it. There are no chevrons underneath, indicating a 3rd Class Petty Officer. Condition is excellent.

- Marineartilleristmaat (Naval Artillerymans Mate 3rd Class) Embroidered Ratings Badge. This features a navy blue backing with gold embroidered insignia. There is an anchor with crossed cannons on top of it. There are no chevrons underneath, indicating a 3rd Class Petty Officer. Condition is excellent.

- Oberküstenartilleristmaat (Coastal Artillerymans Mate 2nd Class) Embroidered Ratings Badge. This features a navy blue backing with gold embroidered insignia. There is an anchor with a large "winged Bomb" on top of it, with a chevron underneath, indicating a 2nd Class Petty Officer. Condition is excellent.

The other items in this set consist of:

- Kriegsmarine Erkennungsmarke Dog Tag, made of later war Aluminum. It is marked Kriegsmarine 7004 / 45K, indicating that they were the 7004th person to enlist or be drafted in 1945, and they were in the K or Küstendienst Land (Coastal Service) group, working as an artilleryman, driver or weapons specialist.

- Kriesgmarine Navy BeVo Embroidered Rayon Cap Tally. Most likely unissued, the cap tally measures 57 1/2 inches in overall length. These would be attached around the caps that sailors wore abord the ships.

This lot of items is perfect for the individual who is looking for a place to start collecting. Comes more than ready to display!