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 a fair amount of its original bronze finish. The clasp is nicely marked with 'Entw. Peekhaus Berlin' and 'Ausf. Schwerin, Berlin SW68' indicating production by the company of 'Schwerin & Söhne' from Berlin. This is a rarely seen first pattern clasp with solderen on pin and catch. The pin & catch are of course fully functional. These first pattern clasps are much harder to find then the often seen 2nd pattern clasps. Hard to find original 1st pattern U-Boat Front Clasp in great actually issued condition!