WW2 GERMAN NAVY MINESWEEPERS UNIFORM BADGE

1943-1944 era zinc die-forged badge for post-war veteran wear-use. Owner vaulted body with late-war grey gold finished eagle & wreath showing normal wear at highlights. Faint trace of silver-wash to grey/silver zinc water. Horizontal wide pin back block hinge soldered on mounting plate & formed catch on base plate is bent closed. Swastika has been partially ground down, obviously for post war use. Unique WWII Veteran Badge showing post-war service!
The award was made through the ships commander.& nbsp; 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.