Kriegsmarine Small Vessel Artillery Specialist Trade Badge - red on white

An excellent reproduction Second World War Kriegsmarine Vessel Artillery Specialist Trade Badge.

As well rating badges, the Kriegsmarine used Specialist Trade Badges to denote additional qualifications within a particular rate. Sewn with a red thread, these badges were worn below the seaman's rank chevrons or petty officer's rank-and-rating badge. Specialist Trade Badges were not worn or displayed by officers or chiefs.

The Specialist career insignia was first introduced in 1933. There were at least thirty-one different Specialist Trade Badges badges in use during the war. The use of chevrons inside the Specialised Trade Badges signify the wearers competence within that particular trade, and have no baring on their official Kriegsmarine rank.

The white backing indicates that this badge was to be worn with the Summer and Tropical Kriegsmarine uniform, as regulations dictated that insignia backing colour must match that of the uniform worn.

This is an authentic reproduction WW2 Kriegsmarine Vessel Artillery Specialist Trade Badge.