Solid backed, zinc construction badge with gilt and frosty silver washes. The badge is in the form of a gilt washed, vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with a national eagle, with outstretched wings, clutching a canted swastika superimposed to the top center, encompassing frosty silver washed, horizontal waves and a cut-out, vertical, exploding, water funnel. The reverse of the badge has an integral, solid block type hinge, a broad, tapering, vertical pin and a soldered catch on a circular base plate inset into a circular recess all intact. The reverse is well marked with embossed manufacturer's initials, "R.K.", indicating manufacture by Rudolf A. Karneth & Sohn, Gablonz. Excellent The Minesweeper’s war badge was instituted on August 31ST 1940 by Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral, (Commander in Chief of the Navy and Grand Admiral), Erich Raeder for award to personnel serving on minesweepers, sub-chasers, and escort vessels who met the prescribed requirements. The main prerequisite for bestowal of the award was participation in three operational sorties.