Navy Destroyer Badge by Otto Schickle

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

A Kriegsmarine Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen by Otto Schickle of Pforzheim. Interesting to note, these Schickle pieces are often attributed to B.H. Mayer as some are found with an L/18 marking on the pin. Schickle lost their license in 1941 and their left-over stock was purchased by other Pforzheim makers, like B.H. Mayer. 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. It is constructed out of a die struck tombak base that has been gold gilded, silver washed and chemically blackened. The obverse depicts a destroyer ship breaking through the sea below a small Kriegsmarine eagle (with closed wings, clutching a mobile swastika within its talons), which is then all encompassed by an oak leaf wreath that is tied together at the bottom. The full back reverse shows a tombak; soldered on block hinge, soldered-on catch, round wire top hook and a coke bottle pin. It has the correct die flaw. It measures 2 1/8 inches high by 1 13/16 inches wide. A desirable maker!