U Boat Frontspange in Original Box

[RonR]

Jody,

Thanks for the kind words on the Silver CCC.

Here it is.

Front view:

[RonR]

Reverse:

[RonR]

With pin open:

[Jody]

Silver CCC

Hi RonR,
Tahnk you. That is one of the nicest silver CCC I have seen in a long time. If you ever decide to sell it, please let me know.

Regards,
Jody

[90th Light]

Hello, may-be I can help. The box which is in question is a "distributors or shop box" These generic boxes came in a range of sizes and were used by certain establishments to enchant the customer. If you have an up-market store or you are distributing items to high quality shops then you do not sell your product in grotty brown paper bags. Bad image.

Such boxes have been in use since the 1890's and even earlier. Today Jewellers here in New Zealand still do this. What surprises me is that the Germans still had such boxes in 1944 but they did. Please keep in mind that Germany did not become a full war-time economy until 1944. They returned to civilian production in 1940.

Now it may-be that the manufacturer did put the badge in that box but I believe this is unlikely. My belief is that these badges have been put in these boxes by a distributor. This would explain why we see a range of badges and makers in such boxes. This said however it could well be a certain shop or chain of shops because in the 1980's when more items surfaced which had been buried or hidden from the Russians, I noticed these boxes appearing with a range of badges in what was described as "ex-shop-stock"

Overall I believe the box is correct for the clasp and period. I do not however think it is a manufacturers box.

Nice clasp too, one of my favourites, Chris

[RonR]

Chris,

Thank you for this well informed explaination.

Certainly makes sense.

This is the marvelous thing about this forum. There is a wealth of knowlege among its many members.

Thank you again, Chris!

Best regards,

[90th Light]

Chris,

Thank you for this well informed explaination.

Certainly makes sense.

This is the marvelous thing about this forum. There is a wealth of knowlege among its many members.

Thank you again, Chris!

Best regards,

My pleasure Ron, I have to write papers on the history, use of and impact of "packaging" in the Marketing Mix as part of my job. Never miss a chance to research what German industries and merchants were doing in the period up to May-45 and beyond.

Got my one and only silver U-Boot Frontspange from Detlev Niemann recently hence why I have enjoyed seeing yours. Sadly no nice box like yours but who knows one day I might be lucky enough to find one. Would be interesting to know how many of these boxes have been just thrown away over the years because people did not know what they were or did not realise their significance.

Will also be interested to see if others agree with my findings but pleased to be able to share this with you, Chris