A WWII-era German Kriegsmarine (Navy) non-commissioned officer’s sleeve badge, featuring a gold-embroidered fouled anchor (anchor with rope) on a black wool background. The badge has a rounded top edge and squared base, designed to be sewn onto the upper left sleeve of the naval uniform.
This insignia identified personnel serving in the Boatswain (Bootsmann) career branch, responsible for ship handling, rigging, and deck operations aboard Kriegsmarine vessels. The gold embroidery indicates NCO status, as opposed to the silver thread used for enlisted personnel.