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 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. Almost all of the original finish has gone revealing the Zinc base metal below.

Above: Reverse view of a First Pattern U-Boat Claspin Silver with all finish intact.. Note the recessed portion, the flat pin, and the separately attached fitting. Note the retaining hook is made from flat wire stock

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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 clasp was finished in a bronze colour which could range from a pale golden bronze to a dark, almost chocolate, brown colour.

 

 

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.
On 24 November 1944, a further grade - in silver, was introduced, but no Gold version was ever authorised.

 

 

OObverse and Reverse views of an original Silver Clasp. Note that it is very common for the zinc base metal to have reacted with the silver plating, causing the bubbling effect seen here. This in many ways is a useful indicator of true age and originality.