What is the meaning of this letter M on this spoon ?

[AvD]

Can somebody tell me what could be the meaning of this letter M ?

[cpittman]

"Marine" (Navy).

Chris P.

[AvD]

Could be that! But this abbreviation is missing on http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/abbreviations-m.htm

[AHLF]

Could be that! But this abbreviation is missing on http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/abbreviations-m.htm

You don't expect "Third-reich factbook" to cover all of the abbreviations ever existed, right?

[cpittman]

I have seen the eagle over the "M" on Kriegsmarine binoculars, bayonets and belt buckles. Also Naval-issue Reichskriegsfahne. There is a sextant engraved with this symbol on page 25 of "German Soldiers of World War Two"by Jean DeLagarde. On page 85 they show a Kriegsmarine buckle and ammunition pouch with these markings. This is not an abbreviation that would be used in a report or document, but rather a naval property symbol.

Chris P.

[Dunkirchen1940]

"German Soldiers of World War Two"by Jean DeLagarde

Awesome Reference Book!
And yes, the M definately is for Marine. My question is why didn't they put "KM" on items instead of "M"?

[AvD]

My question is why didn't they put "KM" on items instead of "M"?

That was also what I wondered!

[hohenstaufeninthehood]

ive also got one of those spoons, and the m does indeed stand for marine, i also wonder why they didnt use km, maybe they figured m was good enough?

[CHRISCHA]

Could it be KM was not used because it already existed as an abreiviation for something else? (Can't think what though :roll: ).

[ChrisMAg2]

@chrisha,
you'r right if you think of km for i.e. Kilometer. Although Kriegsmarine was always the exact term/ expression Marine was the more widely used expression, It's just too long to be spoken. Germans have a faibel shortening words and this is a light form.

Think of the number plate on vehicles where it is "WM" for Wehrmacht Marine...
just for a thought.
Regards

[Nick.A.]

Just wanted to say thanks, to all who posted on this subject. Recently purchased a table/mess fork, with exactly same markings, as the above mentioned table spoon. The dealer that sold me the fork, told me, that it was a Kriegsmarine piece, unfortunately, I did not realise, that all Kriegsmarine items, carried the "M". Spent hours searching various sites, looking for makers marks, on table cutlery. Should have known, to look here first!!! The table fork I have, has exactly the same markings, as the above displayed spoon, but also has words, "Ewig Rostfrei", stamped on the handle, which I presume means, "Ever Rust Free". Regards, Nick.A.

[AvD]

Just to add a detail: mine has, about one and a half centimeter above the eagle, a small half circle of 4-5 mm with a logo in it: a little elephant and the word "Wello". You can see it on the second picture above. The same on yours?
Can I ask how much you payed for the whole set?

Thanks

PS "War" means "Krieg" not "Kreig". So it is Kriegsmarine.

[Nick.A.]

Hello AvD,Thanks, for the spell check on "Kriegs".Would have normally got that one right, but was so happy, to find a result for my search, that the spelling slipped!!! Sorry, No other markings, on my table fork. Also, I only purchased this one item, NOT a whole set. I was happy to pay $20.Aus for it. Regards and Thanks again. Nick.A.

[Erik E]

If I`m not wrong, only the fleet was called Kriegsmarine, while shorebased units were called Marine.......

Examples can be seen within the coastal artillery, where "Marineküstenbatterien" served in "Marine artillerieabteilungen".
Their award was called "Kriegsabzeichen für Marineartillerie"
Navy flak units were called "Marineflakabteilung"

If you are still not convinced, I could make the list of units/equipment without the "kriegs" in front veeeery long

[AvD]

Found this M in a Museum: