As the war drew on, it became clear that the basic U-Boat War Badge in itself was no longer sufficient to recognise the service performed and sacrifices made by veteran U-Boat crew members. The Army had its War Badges with numbers (Einsatzzahl) indicating the total of actions in which the soldier had participated, and the Luftwaffe had its large range of Front Flight Clasps.
So, on 15 May 1944, Großadmiral Karl Dönitz, the commander in chief of the Navy, introduced the U-Boots-Frontspange or U-Boat Front Clasp.

 

The clasp was designed by Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus of Berlin, and its manufacture contracted out to only one identified firm, Schwerin of Berlin.The clasp consisted of a central motif based on the U-Boat War badge, but with the eagle’s wings following the oval contours of the centrepiece, and with a pair of crossed swords at the base of the wreath. Emerging from each side of the central motif, was a spray of six oakleaves, with two small acorns visible between the outermost leaves on each side.
The badge was struck in zinc and on the standard second pattern had the hinge block as an integral part of the badge.

 

The U-Boat Front Clasp was worn above the breast pocket of the jacket or equivalent position on other garments, analogous to the position in which the Luftwaffe Flight Clasps and Arrmy Close Combat Clasps were worn.

 

The First Pattern

On the earliest examples, the centrepiece had, on its reverse face, an oval recess 1.5mm deep. This version is usually found with a wide, flat tapered pin and separately attached hinge block.

 

Above: First Pattern Clasp in Bronze. The highlights on the original finish have gone revealing the Zinc base metal below.

Above: Reverse view of a First Pattern U-Boat Clasp in Bronze. Note the recessed portion, the flat pin, and the separately attached fitting. Note the retaining hook is made from flat wire stock

 

Above: First Pattern Clasp in Silver. Almost all of the original finish is intact on this superb example.

 

Above: Reverse of the First Pattern Clasp in Silver.

 

On the left reverse, next to the "C" hook, is the relief inscription ENTW / PEEKHAUS / BERLIN, and on the right, next to the hinge block, the inscription AUSF. / SCHWERIN / BERLIN SW68.

Note the typical poor letter ofrmation on the maker markings. The letters E and T in "ENTW" have almost dissapeared. This has led to current fakes of this badge erroneously marking them simply with the letters "N W"

 

 

 

 

The Second Pattern

A later, more commonly encountered version featured a completely flat back, and with the inscriptions altered to read ENTWURF / PEEKHAUS and AUSF. / SCHWERIN / BERLIN 68. This second type features a fluted style pin, and a round wire stock "C" clip. The hinge for the pin fitting on this pattern is cast integrally with the body of the badge.

 

The second type clasp was finished in a bronze colour which could range from a pale golden bronze to a dark, almost chocolate, brown colour. Degredation of the Bronze finish was common on these late war zinc badges and although it is always nice to encounter a mint specimen, such natural wear is often a useful indicator of genuine age.

Reverse of the Bronze second type clasp with distinctive fluted pin.

 

 

A fine example of the C original finish remaining..

VReverse of the second type clasp in Silver. Both this and the Bronze specimen above feature the more common round wire retaining clip.

 

Reverse of a second type clasp in Silver having the variant flat wire retaining cliip. In both types, round wire or flat wire, the clip was staked into a recess on the reverse face anbd may be found to have some slight movement.

 

Note the altered lettering on the Second type clasp, and that almost invariably the letter "I" in "Schwerin" has been obliterated by rubbing caused by the foot of the fluted pin.

 

There seems to have been no hard and fast criteria for the award of this clasp
Each award was recommended by the U-Boat commander based on the number of sorties the recipient had made, the level of danger in each sortie and any personal bravery exhibited by the crewman. Each award was personally approval by Großadmiral Dönitz.
The clasp was worn above the left breast pocket , above any ribbon bar which might be worn, or on the equivalent position on other clothing.