This Imperial U-Boat Badge is an extremely attractive and desirable award. It is made of brass. The obverse shows light wear, with a very attractive patination to the recesses that contrasts very nicely with the lustrous golden gleam of the high points. The central U-Boot emblem has nice clean surfaces, and only extremely slight and minor marks from wear. The reverse of this Imperial U-Boat Badge is hollow, with an even, uncleaned patina. The hardware is functional, and still kept in place with the original solder. This badge has a really pleasant look and remains in excellent condition. The U-Boat Badge (U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen) was instituted on October 13, 1939 by Kriegsmarine leader Grossadmiral Erich Raeder, to recognize the combat achievements of the extremely dangerous and all-volunteer U-Boat service. The design of the badge features a German submarine surrounded by a wreath, surmounted by a German national eagle and swastika emblem. The original design for the badge, submitted by Kriegsmarine sailors, was refined by Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus. To earn this badge, submarine sailors had to participate in a minimum of two missions against the enemy. If a sailor was wounded on a single mission, he could receive the U-Boat Badge. The badge could be worn both on and off duty. A total of 9,536 U-Boat Badges were awarded during WWII.