Kriegsmarine Watch Officer Badge (Abzeichen des Wachhabenden Offiziers)

[John R.]

Yes, that is correct. It is a tricky badge but at least the one with the "A" marked stamp makes it a little easier based on post #48.

This badge was worn after the war in both East and West Germany as I understand it, however there were subtle differences in design.

John

[Stu W]

Thank you John.

Regards,
Stu

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

There was also a version of this badge worn on a white arm band in both the Kriegsmarine and the Bundesmarine. I am assuming that the three pronged one posted earlier whould have been one that had been originally on the Kriegsmarine white arm band. Does anyone have a white Kriegsmarine watch arm band that they could post a picture of? One of these arm band is illustrated in wear in "Die Kriegsmarine Uniforms and Traditions" volume 2 page 46. This arm band is also worn in the Bundesmarine but is made of plastic so there should be not confusion as to what is what here. The Bundesmarine arm band is pictured below.

Regards,

Gordon

[John R.]

An interesting photo since you rarely see the badge worn with this uniform.

John

[pantherv]

.....

Hi Guys....thought I'd bump this thread back up. Looking for opinions on this 3 prong type as too whether it's considered wartime produced.

Thanks in advance.....

[Norm F]

Hi Peter,

I haven't seen a 3-prong version before, but to me this has the look of a good either early war or pre-war tombak version, based upon the patina and the style of the main pin.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Norm, there's another one in post-55!

This one certainly looks the part - construction, finish, age all appear genuine.

The hardware would make this a difficult badge to quickly remove and/or hand-over though, given that the badge itself is supposed to only be worn on duty. I'm thinking this may have come off an armband or a small shield badge (like cops use)? We'll need to find more period pics of the badge in wear to confirm that sort of theory though.

Regards
Mike

[Norm F]

Hi,

Norm, there's another one in post-55!

This one certainly looks the part - construction, finish, age all appear genuine.

The hardware would make this a difficult badge to quickly remove and or hand-over though, given that the badge itself is supposed to only be owrn on duty. I'm thinking this may have come off an armband or a small shield badge (like cops use)? We'll need to find more period pics of the badge in wear to confirm that sort of theory though.

Regards
Mike

Hi Mike,

So there is! Guess I'm losing it.

I like your theory about this being the arm band version. Stands to reason that the mounting mechanism in that situation would require the 3-point stability.

Best regards,
---Norm

[JCM - 1963]

A wonderful post.

They think about this issue?

Greetings from Madrid.

Julio.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Julio,

That appears to be the Assmann style but, for once, hardware and finish indicate probably a wartime example to me.

Regards
Mike

[pantherv]

.....

Thanks for the advice. As you say Norm, this does have the age and construction of a wartime piece...on the other hand, Kai does have this one as well which although has lost most of it's gilt finish (Zinc I assume) may be a more accepted type.

I still think I'll go for the 3 pronged badge

BTW this is a great thread and IMO should be pinned

[Norm F]

Hi Peter,

I think Mike would agree that too looks like a good period watch officer's badge. Hard to tell the material -- like you say probably zinc or maybe a brass with age and patina? If zinc that would place it in the second half of the war whereas if it's Tombak it could be wartime or pre-war as with other non-swastika bearing items like buttons and dress belt buckles.

Best regards,
---Norm

[JCM - 1963]

That opinion seems another example a little battered.

Any opinions or advice will be welcome.

Excuse my poor English.

Greetings from Madrid.

Julio.

[pantherv]

....

Apart from the condition, it looks as good as any other posted.

[Mike Kenny]

The last 2 examples posted certainly look like period examples to me.

I think the post#58 example is a nice conditioned fine-zinc rather than darkened tombak example. The worn highpoints on the wreath appear to show a silver rather than gold coloured basemetal. The only possible tombak I can see is the base of the prong assembly, visible from the obverse behind the anchor loop and holding the original gilt finish.

Regards
Mike