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Kriegsmarine Decals (Navy)
Kriegsmarine decals differ from Heer decals primarily by color and to a lesser degree by design. KM decals stand out from the silver color Heer decals by having a gold color, which may range from deep gold to a paler gold. Otherwise the appearance or design is nearly identical to Heer.
One detail that is important to recognize on KM decals is the raised border line around the eagle and swastika due to its 2-piece construction. The eagle/swastika was produced on a sheet separate from the underlying black shield, unlike Heer decals that were produced entirely on one sheet.
Kriegsmarine decal on an M40 Quist. The design is identical to an ET style Heer decal. This example exhibits a paler golden color. Notice the thick layer of lacquer that was applied to help prevent the decal from flaking off the surface. Heavy flaking of KM decals is common.
KM decal on an M40 Quist.
KM decal on an M35 ET. Notice the detail of the two-sheet construction that results in a border line around the eagle/swastika, particularly noticeable on the upper side of the wings and around the eagle head.
Close-up of the upper part of KM decal. Notice the black border around the eagle head.
Detail of the black border around the swastika and lower part of wing head. The picture is made more bright to show the border line better.
KM decal on an M35 SE. Design is the same as an ET style Heer decal.
KM decal on an M35 ET repaint.
KM decal on an M35 ET. Notice the detail of the two-sheet construction that results in a border line around the eagle/swastika, particularly noticeable on the upper side of the wings at several locations. Design is the same as an ET style Heer decal.
National shield on the same M35 ET as shown above.
KM decal on an M40 ET. This example has more prominent lines in the eagle and is referred to by collectors as a «blacklined» decal. The gold color is also deeper than the previous Quist decal. On the upper side of the right wing you can clearly see the black border line indicating two-sheet construction. This decal was applied on both Quist and ET KM helmets.
KM decal on an M40 ET. This is a black outlined KM decal with clear black lines in the eagle. Notice the black border line on the upper side of the wings.
KM decal on an M40 ET. The lines in the eagle are faded on this one.
KM decal on an M18 E.T.66 earcut-out helmet. This decal is C.A. Pocher KM decal found on prewar KM issued helmets. To the upper right side of the decal there are traces of an other decal. It could be remnants of an early Reichsmarine decal. The helmet itself has an embossed Reichsmarine stamp in the M31 liner.