Worldwide Submarine Insignia

Austro-Hungarian Submariner's Insignia

Instituted in 1910, in effect to 1918-- Verordnungsblatt No.48 dated 15th October 1910

The insignia was a “duty badge”, no diploma, and was the property of the boat. If the sailor left the boat, he left the badge on the boat. The badge was for submarine ratings only- not for shore support sailors or officers. No pictures have been found showing officers wearing the badge during WW1, either alone or in mixed group with ratings, while the ratings wore their badges. The badge specification was for 55-56mm high and 35-36mm wide, white metal or thio metal with vertical 12mm wide “spange”. A spange is a wide metal clip. This metal is thought to be brass. 

AH-1     Various Sizes

All metal full sized versions use this label.

In 1918, a badge shortage leads the base at Pola to make their own. The Pola badges were crude cast with a vertical needle pin, A casting sprue and a single UB were found on the U-20 when salvaged.

The only hallmark found on 1910 to 1918 badges was BSW (Bruder Schneider Wien)

In 1918 when the war ended if you had a badge, you probably took it with you and did not return it to the boat.

After 1918

A market existed for aftermarket badges for former submarine personnel, ratings and officers About 10 different hallmarked makers plus some jeweler made have been found, Many officers engraved the backs of their badges commemorating their service.

After market badges were also made for the submarine veterans.

Most aftermarket badges appear to be white metal, with a vertical pin although some horizontal pins were reported. Brass badges have also been seen with a spring clamp as well as both solid and hollow back construction. Some silver badges exist.

Some bullion and cloth mounted metal badges for sewing on clothing have been found.

AH-2

Cloth Mounted Versions 

1938

The Austrian Government authorized badge wear by former submarine personnel now serving with the German Navy Pictures exist showing Admiral Meixner and a Matrosen wearing the UB badges while in German naval uniform.

POST 1945

Production continued for submarine veterans and probably collectors. Manufactured by Rothe and Neffe for sure. Rothe closed in 1955.

HALLMARKS

There appear to have been many different makers and hallmarks

1. Rothe and Neffe (no hallmark)

2. “K”

3. Winter Adler

4. an Eagle stamp

5. Braun

6. BSW

7. Jerouschek

8. Morzsanyi

9. Arkansas

10. “57”

11. Reinemar Spiegl

12. Starfish Personal Jewelers

Miniatures

There are several different sized miniature badges and stickpins.

 AH-4

Miniature Versions

Comments

It appears that Pavel Patejdl (Czech) , Jorg Steiner (Austria), Ian Harvey (Australia) and Wladimir Aichelburg (Austria) were correct in their articles and Gus Conde, Peter Prichard, Alejandro de Quesada and Maitland Thornton had errors in ther published materials.

William J Crosby

December 30, 2018

Examples of the Badge Being Worn

Veterans

V-Boat Veteran's Badge, a large white "V" with a Austro Hungarian Naval ensign in red and white enamel sporting the arms of Austria and Hungary waving through the gap. Shown here twice normal size. (AH-3) from Prichard)

AH-3     .68" x .72"

Comparative Research

History of Austro-Hungarian Submarines

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