Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Exceptionally Rare Auxiliary Cruiser War Badge, Japanese Manufacture

(Kriegsabzeichen für Hilfskreuzer). Constructed of partially gilded silver, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Kriegsmarine eagle clutching a mobile swastika, around a central depiction of the Northern Hemisphere topped by a Viking longship, the reverse with a block hinge and flattened vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, stamped with a mark of “STERLING” indicating 925 silver content, measuring 44.31 mm (w) x 56.98 mm (h), weighing 44.9 grams, demonstrating moderate loss of gilt finish throughout, an exceptionally rare Japanese-made example demonstrating jeweller-quality construction, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Owing to a lack of availability of official awards to Kriegsmarine personnel serving in the Pacific, an extremely limited number of Japanese-made Wehrmacht decorations were commissioned for issue to German servicemen during the Second World War. Records make specific mention of Iron Crosses and Auxiliary Cruiser War badges being manufactured by Japanese jewelers and distributed to individuals recognized in the field, primarily to sailors on board the auxiliary cruisers “Michel” and “Thor”, with the former sunk off the coast of Yokohama, and the latter destroyed by fire in the port of Yokohama itself after docking for refit, in 1943.