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KC040. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. Nice looking Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Cap Eagle being done in bevo weave with a gold eagle on a dark-green background in mint un-issued condition. I have a few left. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures)
KC054m. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures)
KC062. Kriegsmarine Gefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Gefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures)
KC067. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Gefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Gefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures)
KC071. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures)
KC072. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures)
KC073. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Hauptgefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Hauptgefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 30.00 (Pictures)
KC089. Tropical Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Good looking Tropical Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Bevo Breast Eagle. See pictures...$ 150.00 (Pictures)
KC091. Kriegsmarine Tropical EM/NCO's Breast Eagle on Piece of Shirt. Great looking Kriegsmarine Tropical EM/NCO's Breast Eagle on Piece of Shirt with the piece showing wearing having no-doubt seen a good amount of use in a sunny climate. See pictures...$ 350.00 (Pictures)
KC103. Kriegsmarine Clerical EM Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 15.00 (Pictures)
KC109. Kriegsmarine Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures) NEW
KC133. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
KC141. Kriegsmarine Officer's Breast Eagle. Un-Issued. See pictures...$ 95.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC150. Kriegsmarine Eagle for White Pullover Jumper. Bevo. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
KC155. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Nice looking bevo example. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC157. Kriegsmarine Eagle for White Pullover Jumper. Bevo. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC158. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Obergefreiter's Rank Chevron. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC159m. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. Nice looking wool example. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC161. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Good looking wool Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC162. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery NCO's Career Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 20.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
KC163. Kriegsmarine Boatswain's EM's Career Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 20.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC164. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. See pictures...$ 40.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC165. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. See pictures...$ 40.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC166. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC167. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Gold on dark blue wool. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC168. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC169. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. Eagle design is complete. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC170. Kriegsmarine Eagle for White Pullover Jumper. Bevo. Blue eagle on white background. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
KC172. Kriegsmarine Eagle for White Pullover Jumper. Bevo. Blue eagle on white background. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
KC173. Kriegsmarine Eagle for White Pullover Jumper. Bevo. Blue eagle on white background. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC175. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. See pictures...$ 40.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC176. Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. See pictures...$ 40.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC177. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Cap Eagle. Bevo example. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC178. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Nice looking bevo example. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
KC180. Kriegsmarine EM/NCO's Breast Eagle. Nice looking bevo example. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
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Understanding Kriegsmarine Cloth Insignia
The Kriegsmarine, Germany's navy from 1935 to 1945, employed a wide array of cloth insignia to denote rank, branch, and specialisation. These pieces were worn on uniforms, caps, and specialised clothing such as the white pullover jumper. Unlike the army or Luftwaffe, the Kriegsmarine often used gold-colored thread on dark blue or green backgrounds, reflecting naval tradition. The insignia offered here represent the most commonly encountered types: cap eagles, breast eagles, rank chevrons, and career sleeve insignia.
Collectors prize these cloth badges for their craftsmanship and the insight they provide into the complex rank structure of the German navy. Whether woven (Bevo) or embroidered on wool, each piece tells a story of service at sea or in coastal defense. Below we explore the main categories and what to look for when acquiring original examples.
Common Types of Kriegsmarine Cloth Insignia
- Cap Eagles: Worn on the front of the sailor's cap ("Donald Duck" cap) and on the visor cap for NCOs and enlisted men. They typically feature a wreath and swastika, with the eagle's head facing left or right depending on period. Coastal artillery variants often have a green backing instead of dark blue.
- Breast Eagles: Sewn onto the left breast of the uniform jacket, these eagles came in wool, Bevo weave, and tropical versions. The tropical eagle was produced in tan or olive thread for wear in warm climates.
- Rank Chevrons: Worn on the upper left sleeve, these chevrons indicated the grade of enlisted man (Gefreiter, Obergefreiter, Hauptgefreiter). Coastal artillery personnel used the same system but with green backing.
- Career Sleeve Insignia: Special badges denoting a sailor's trade, such as boatswain, clerical, or signalman. These were usually embroidered in gold or silver on dark blue wool.
Materials and Manufacture
Original Kriegsmarine insignia were made from high-quality wool, cotton, or rayon. The two primary manufacturing methods were Bevo weaving and machine embroidery. Bevo weave produced a tight, flat design that was durable and relatively inexpensive to mass-produce. Embroidered examples, often on wool, were more traditional and used for earlier issues or private-purchase items.
Tropical insignia, intended for service in hot climates, were made from lighter materials such as rayon or cotton to prevent heat retention. These are particularly sought after due to their rarity and distinctive appearance. Always examine the reverse side; original Bevo insignia will have a neat, flat back with no loose threads, while embroidered pieces will show a distinct pattern of stitching.
Coastal Artillery Distinctions
The Kriegsmarine's coastal artillery branch was responsible for defending Germany's coastlines and harbors. Their insignia differed from the regular navy in that the background color was often dark green rather than dark blue. This allowed for quick identification of personnel assigned to shore-based gun batteries. The rank chevrons and eagles for this branch are highly collectible because they are less common than standard navy issue.
When purchasing coastal artillery insignia, check that the green backing is consistent and that the gold thread has not faded unevenly. Many reproductions use a modern green that appears brighter than the original field gray-green. Original green wool will show natural aging and may have slight mothing if not stored properly.
Authenticity and Collecting Tips
As with all Third Reich militaria, reproducing Kriegsmarine cloth insignia is a thriving industry. To avoid fakes, study original examples closely and buy from reputable dealers. Key indicators of authenticity include correct thread composition, period-appropriate dyes, and signs of age such as light soiling or fading. However, mint un-issued pieces do exist, so condition alone is not a guarantee.
For more information on other branches, visit our pages on Army Cloth Insignia, Luftwaffe Cloth Insignia, and SS Cloth Insignia. We also maintain an SS Cloth Insignia Archives for reference. If you are just starting out, you may find our general Cloth Insignia overview helpful.