WW2 GERMAN NAVY MINESWEEPER BADGE

Good condition un-marked German navy Minesweeper badge. Good early war tombak constructed piece, with lot's of use and patina overall. Wreath has been shaped slightly convex for better fitting. Correct barrel hinge pin assembly and hook, with pin shaped to fit snuggly onto the uniform pocket. A great well shaped 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.