Bewährungsabzeichen des K. d. K.

[A.H. Thomassen]

Hi friends.

Some years ago I obtained a rather nice grouping belonging to a guy who had a long service in the Kriegsmarine; from pre-war through his wartime experiences.

The group consists of all his awards and documents, Mützenbänder, some 300+ photos, insignias, KM-dolch +++

I do however would greatly appreciate a feedback and possible confirmation from you guys on this particular Bewährungsabzeichen as I'm total in the dark regarding originality and such on this kind of award.


Mvh. AH

[Ludwig]

It´s an original badge! You can search this forum, and you will find some threads about those badges.

[A.H. Thomassen]

Thanks Ludwig for commenting on this award - I highly appreciate it


Mvh. AH

[Ludwig]

My pleasure, my friend!

[Norm F]

Hi A.H.,

As Ludwig says, it's the same type as the few that have shown up in veteran's groupings or in the Danish museum. Very nice to see another grouping. Thanks for posting.

Would you happen to have a photograph of the patch in wear in that grouping?

Best regards,
---Norm

P.S. a previous thread on the topic: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=709430

[A.H. Thomassen]

Thanks for your comment on this Norm

Unfortunately there's only a couple of photos of him from his time with the Kleinkampfverbände; but no photos of him wearing neither the Bewährungsabzeichen nor his EK I Klasse. Perhaps with good reason as I guess that these guys were seen as a little shady bunch to say it at least?

Some of you will know that I'm more into Kriegsmarine Narvik 1940 and Polarmeer 1940-45, but when I got the opportunity to aquire this nice grouping belonging to a guy who fought at Narvik 1940 aswell as ending his wartime service in the Kleinkampfverbände I just had to grasp the chance.

In this nice group there's plenty of paperwork that document that he received the Bewährungsabzeicen; no wartime-signed document though but there's a Gesamtdienstleistungszeugnis dated July 15th 1945 from his Regimentskommandeur recording in detail his whole service in the Kriegsmarine both pre-war and during the war and describing in detail his voluntarily service with the Kleinkampfverbände (I'm showing a small extract from this Gesamtdienst... which I guess describes the event leading up to him beeing awarded the EK I Klasse when he led a commando whose mission was to destroy some bridges in order to stall the advance of the Red Army), as well as his Besitzzeugnis über verliehene Orden und Ehrenzeichen dated July 13 1945, and signed by his Bataillonskommandeur.

So all in all I guess its ample evidence that he indeed received the Bewährungsabzeichen, and I'm truly happy with the nice comments from both Ludwig and Norm on the originality of this Bewährungsabzeichen


Mvh. AH

[marine]

Looking good my friend!


Best,Marine.

[A.H. Thomassen]

Thanks M.

[Blued]

Any chance to get a large group shot of the grouping?

[A.H. Thomassen]

When I aquired this grouping I also got along some restrictions on showing this grouping so unfortunately I can't go into details on this person.

Here's however a photo of his numerous awards; and I do have the paperwork as well.

And though as much as I highly appreciate receiving private messages - this group is NOT for sale or trade; and no - I will not even give it away


Mvh. AH

[Ludwig]

Do you have a citation for the Bewährungsabzeichen, too?

[A.H. Thomassen]

Unfortunately there's no sole citation for the Bewährungsabzeichen but its recorded in this Besitzzeugnis über verliehene Orden und Ehrenzeichen dated July 13 1945, and signed by his Bataillonskommandeur that he received the Bewährungsabzeichen.


Mvh. AH

[Ludwig]

That´s the most common scenario

Award citations are extremly rare!

[KdK]

Nice original Bewährungsabzeichen!

[Norm F]

That´s the most common scenario
Award citations are extremly rare!

I'm surprised that there would ever be a separate award document for what is basically a proficiency patch and not a war badge. All the subsequent levels I could understand since they reward missions, but not the Bewährungsabzeichen.

On the other hand, a Schützenschnur came with a certificate of achievement showing proficiency in shooting, so maybe...?

Best regards,
---Norm