BACKGROUND: The Kriegsmarine rank chevrons for EM/NCO’s underwent four modifications between 1933 and 1940, in an unsuccessful attempt to conform to the army EM/NCO’s rank chevrons. Depending on the time period that this chevron was worn it would signify the rank of Gefreiter from 1933 to January 1935, the rank of Oberstabsmatrose from January 1935 to January 1937 the rank of Stabsmatrose from January 1937 to January 1938 and the rank of Obergefreiter from January 1938 until the end of the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Single, cornflower blue, rayon chevron, machine stitched to an inverted triangular, diagonally ribbed tan cotton base. Scarce.