Metal submarine brooch
 

I recently bought this metal submarine brooch with a job lot, when I first saw it I thought it could be German, but the finish on the front is excellent for an item that was cast and it's set me thinking it could be any other navy.

Your ideas appreciated.

Rob

Hello Rob,

Could be one of the many variations of unofficial pre-war and WW2 submarine pins that were made in machine shops at naval bases and sold to submarine crew members as souvenirs. I don’t know if that was a tradition at RN sub bases, but it was common at U.S. sub bases. Some well made pins were distributed by the Electric Boat Company, but many more varieties were hand made by enterprising machinists. I have a few varieties similar to yours in my submarine badge collection.

Stay well,
Donovan

Sub brooch
 

Thanks Donovan for your information, of course I had not thought of USN submarines, but yes, a good possibility.

Regards Rob

A few years ago there was a US submarine lapel badge something like this one that was clearly identified with the Australian wartime Fremantle US submarine base. I forget what the markings might have been but it went for a very high price.

My pleasure, Rob, glad to assist.

Here's a photo of the four unofficial USN sub pins in my collection. The Electric Boat (EB) pin is the closest to being an official pin, given out at ceremonies for an EB-built sub's keel laying and launching. All the pins have great character, though.

Best regards,
Donovan

Metal submarine brooch
 

Donovan, once again thanks for sharing your brooches with the forum, a most interesting collection that seems to clinch the fact that my brooch is USN, I thought when I first got it that it was a German "tinnie", but it errs more to the style of your brooches.

Regards Rob