Destroyer Badge - Personalized "KURT EHRLICH"

[jwburchell]

At a recent militaria show here in Canada I was shown a KM Destroyer Badge, relatively worn with the tombak showing through. The horizontal attachment pin was missing but the upper hook-pin was intact. Interestingly, the reverse bore some engraving.

The lettering incised into the lower central portion of the reverse was as follows: "KURT EHRLICH" and, immediately below that "DUSSELDORF".

While I am relatively certain that the badge is an authentic, period item, I am not certain about the engraving.

I did not have my digital camera available and have since asked for some pictures which I will be happy to post here, if I receive them. In advance, however, I am looking for any comments or feedback which might be helpful. It is my hope to eventually be able to acquire this badge.

My assumption is that the engraving, if period done, is the name of the recipient. Research on several fora and other internet sites have resulted in a couple of leads, but nothing tied directly to a former KM member of that name.

It would be appreciated if any fellow collectors/researchers out there could please comment on the practice or existence of other "personalized" KM badges, or where to further research this name.

Thanks and regards,

John

[Stephane]

Hello John,

I don't know if it's possible to research the name on your badge, and I can't say if the practice of personalizing navy badges was common. However I own a personalized minesweeper by Assman. This particular badge is boxed and is pictured in one of Deltev Niemann books. Here are some pictures. The black and white picture is from Mr. Niemann's price guide, second edition, page 757.

The personalization reads "Steffan", which is kind of neat because my first name is "Stéphane" (wich is French for Stephen of Steven).

So I have a badge personalized in my name

[Norm F]

Wow, beautiful badge Stéphane!

John, since your query has to do with trying to research a particular individual, perhaps you'd get more response in the Forum on "Order of Battle and Individual Research" ?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Martin W]

John,

i am always on the lookout for "named" Hilfskreuzer awards.

So far i have two.One is a zinc Schwerin from an ORION crewman and the other is a tombak Juncker from an ATLANTIS crewman.

I do have other HK awards that are not named but i know of the crewmen they were awarded to and the ships they served on.

I think that the "naming" of awards was not too common a practice.I have seen more KM awards with just the service number of the individual scratched on the reverse.

BTW,a beautiful boxed Minesweeper Stephane.

Regards,Martin.

[jwburchell]

Thanks for the fedback, guys.

That is one stunning personalized Minesweeper badge, Stephane! Congratulations!

Further to your suggestion, Norm - for which I thank you - I have now posted this query on that forum.

I am still waiting for - and hopeful of receiving - pictures of this badge from the owner.

John

[Stephane]

Thank you all for your nice comments on my little badge

[Mike Kenny]

John,

German veterans putting names on badges (all branches and general awards like EKs and WBs) was not common but certainly not unusual. The vast majority of applications are more like "scratchings". I would be extremely cautious of anything that looked like professional engraving on TR badges - that sort of naming seems to be VERY uncommon on genuine examples, but common on fakes.

Regards
Mike