L/53 Hymmen & Co Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch, U-Boots-Jagd - und Sicherungsverbände.

[Adrian]

This Hymmen Minesweeper is variant M4.1.4 on the Minesweeper classification table.

Made from tombak with a prone mounted block hinge, wide pin tapering down to a point which is typical for this maker, a flat wire catch and the maker's mark - L/53 stamped in incuse relief on the reverse of the waterspout.

Probably the most common variant from Hymmen to find and often, as can be seen below in exceptional condition. In fact it was hard to edit the photos because of the shiny finish. There is a minor amount of wear to the waterspout and the waves still retain a clear coating of factory applied lacquer.

It's a good match to my other badge of this type which is here, the only difference being is the head on the badge in the link shows a clear eye whereas this one doesn't but has a more pronounced symmetry to the eagle. I will add another image later which shows the difference.