German U-Boot-Spende Donation Badge, 1–3 June 1917

This is an original U-Boot-Spende (U-Boat Fundraising) donation badge issued in Germany during the First World War. The badge commemorates the submarine fundraising campaign held from 1–3 June 1917, part of a series of patriotic drives to finance the Imperial German Navy’s expanding U-boat fleet.

The obverse features a raised image of a German U-boat plowing through stylized waves, with the inscription “U-BOOT-SPENDE” above and “OPFERTAG 1–3 JUNI 1917” (“Sacrifice Day, 1–3 June 1917”) below. The badge is struck in gilt-finished pressed metal with decorative scrollwork framing the inscriptions.

The reverse retains its original period attachment device: a simple folded metal clasp for wear on clothing.

Badges such as this were handed out to donors during street collections, serving both as a patriotic statement and as a receipt of one’s contribution to the war effort. These ephemeral items were produced in large numbers but survive today in far fewer examples due to their fragile construction and the passing of time.

Condition:
Very good overall with sharp detail to the U-boat motif and clear inscriptions. The gilt finish remains intact with light wear consistent with age. Reverse clasp is complete and functional.

Measurements: Approx. 40 mm wide.

Historical Note:
By mid-1917, Germany’s U-boat campaign had reached its most intense phase, with unrestricted submarine warfare threatening Allied shipping across the Atlantic. Fundraising badges such as this reflected both public support for the war effort and the crucial role of submarines in Imperial Germany’s naval strategy.