Imperial German U-Boat War Badge Miniature Stickpin – WWI Naval Veteran’s Honor

A stunning naval miniature, this stickpin commemorates service in the Kaiser’s elite U-Boot-Waffe during the First World War. For a veteran of the "silent service," this discreet lapel pin was a mark of unparalleled prestige, representing the survival of multiple war patrols in the world's first sustained submarine campaign.

The U-Boat War Badge (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) was instituted on February 1, 1918, by Kaiser Wilhelm II to recognize the distinct perils faced by submarine crews. To earn the original badge, a crewman typically had to complete three war patrols, though exceptions were made for those wounded in action. Because the badge was established late in the war, many veterans chose to purchase these high-quality miniatures for wear on their civilian attire during the Weimar and early Third Reich eras to signify their status within this elite naval branch.

• The Badge: A miniature representation of the horizontal oval WWI-pattern badge. It features a detailed submarine (bow facing right) centered within a laurel wreath wrapped in ribbon.
• Affiliation: The top of the wreath is crowned by the Imperial State Crown (Reichskrone), distinguishing it from the later WWII version which featured the national eagle.
• Material: Struck in gilded bronze or brass with a rich gold-toned finish.
• The Pin: Mounted on a slender, silver or gold-toned knurled stickpin. The "twisted" section of the pin is designed to provide grip to prevent the pin from sliding out of a lapel.
• Scale: A very small miniature, designed for discreet wear on a civilian suit.

The stickpin is in excellent condition with much of its original fire-gilt finish remaining intact. The details of the submarine and the Imperial Crown remain crisp and well-defined. The pin is straight and secure at its solder point, showing only light, honest age-related tarnish on the reverse.

This piece is a classic example of high-quality naval veteran's jewelry from the 1918–1930 period, sourced from a specialized collection of Imperial German naval awards.