Kriegsmarine U-Boat Front Clasp in Bronze (U-Boot Frontspange). The U-Boat Front Clasp was instituted by Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral: 'Karl Dönitz' on 15 May 1944. There were no specified merits for earning the award, decoration was based on the recommendations of the U-boat commander and subject to approval by Karl Dönitz. On 24 November 1944 a version in silver was introduced to further recognize bronze holders with continued merits and acts of valor. The clasp is executed in 'Feinzink' and still retains almost all of its original bronze finish showing minor zinc bubbling. The clasp is nicely marked with 'Entwurf Peekhaus' and 'Ausf. Schwerin, Berlin 68' indicating production by the company of 'Schwerin & Söhne' from Berlin. This is a second pattern clasp with the fluted pin. The clasp is unfortunately missing its catch, see photos. This clasp originates from a private household and was kept as a souvernir by a small boy at the end of the war in Narvik, Norway. Despite the missing catch still a nice original U-Boat Front Clasp in for a fair price!