Kriegsmarine 10th U-Boat Flotilla Cap Badge

WWII German Kriegsmarine 10th U-Boat Flotilla Cap Badge - Raw Wartime Workshop 'Frontfertigung' Cast VariantAn original and highly exceptional World War II German Navy tradition cap badge (Mützenabzeichen) for the 10. Unterseebootsflottille (Lorient, France). This specific piece is a classic textbook example of a wartime Frontfertigung (field/workshop manufacture), individually sand-cast by a base technician or submarine blacksmith using available scrap metal, rather than being an official factory-stamped issue. This crude but highly authentic production method explains the impressive, heavy weight of exactly 19 grams and the unique, slightly irregular cast textures across both the cross and the stylized U-boat hull.The top arm features a hand-drilled attachment hole that sits slightly off-center, typical of field-expedient handiwork. The reverse features prominent, untouched historic tin-lead solder residue (Lötzinn), indicating where a crude horizontal wire pin was custom-soldered in a U-boat base workshop to secure the heavy 19-gram emblem onto the officer’s visor cap (Schirmmütze).The condition is entirely untouched, boasting a deep, uncleaned bronze-toned brass patina that has developed over decades. Significant historical verdigris and ground-action oxidation are present within the recessed corners of the cross and around the old hand-solder joints, confirming its period manufacture and intense combat-front history beyond any doubt. An absolute unique piece for the advanced Kriegsmarine collector.