Original German WWII Gold Grade SA Sports Badge by Ernst Schneider with 1942 SA Stamp Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice SA Sports Badge in Gold Grade, the highest grade awarded. It looks to be manufactured from stamped steel, which is magnetic, and was then covered with a gold wash, which may be brass powder paint. It is maker marked on the back by E. SCHNEIDER / LÜDENSCHEID on the arms of the swas, for maker Ernst Schneider of Lüdenscheid, a city with a large garment accessories industry. It has a very nice intact brass pin back, under which is the following marking, partly covered by the hinge and clip:

EIGENTUM D.S.A. SPORTABZEICHEN
HAUPTSTELLE

This translates to “Property of the S.A. Sports Badge Headquarters.” Also marked is the issue number 249916, which would indicate in the S.A. records which person it was issued to. We do not know if any records remain, but it could make an interesting research project. The badge is in great shape, with just a bit of wear to the finish.

Included with the badge is an SA Sports Badge 6 pfennig postage stamp, marked WEHRKAMPFTAGE DER SA 1942 (“Defense Days of the SA 1942”) on the top. It bears an image of the badge in the center of the stamp.

A very interesting SA Sports Badge set, ready to add to your collection!

The SA Sports Badge was a decoration of NSDAP Germany that was issued between the years 1933 and 1945. It was a political version of the much more generic German Sports Badge, which was also issued in great numbers by the NSDAPs. At its center was a 57mm high Roman broad sword, superimposed over a NSDAP swas. It was encircled by an wreath of oak leaves. It was a pin-back badge. There was a cloth version, as well.

The SA Sports Badge was instituted on 28 November 1933 by then SA chief Ernst Röhm. It was originally only issued in bronze through the year 1935. The on 15 February 1935, jugend decreed that the badge be officially recognized. It was thereafter issued in three grades (bronze, silver, and gold). No longer was the physical fitness badge to be awarded only to SA members, but to youth of all German military and paramilitary organizations. Originally the badge grade was awarded on degrees of “proficiency”. Then in 1936, a points system was established. In 1937, the requirement for the holder of the award was upgraded. Each recipient had to pass an annual proficiency test to retain the badge.

On 19 January 1939, AH changed the name of the badge from SA-Sportabzeichen (SA Sports Badge) to SA-Wehrabzeichen (SA-Defence Badge). AH challenged all able-bodied boys age 16 and up to compete for the award. Older military men were also encouraged to obtain it. The badge was one of the few political decorations that the armed forces allowed to freely be displayed on a military uniform. By December 1936, one million had been awarded. Then by the end of 1943, over 2.5 million had been awarded.

The physical fitness program was divided into three sections, gymnastics, defensive sports and agricultural service. The badge was to be worn on the left breast, under the Iron Cross.

Grades:
– The Bronze SA Sport/Defence Badge was awarded to those who had successfully passed an educational and physical programme.

– The Silver SA Sport/Defence Badge was awarded to those who held the Bronze badge for five years and had participated and passed the annual requirements and also having passed the age of 35.

– The Gold SA Sport/Defence Badge was awarded to those who held the Silver badge for six years and successfully participated in the annual requirements and were over 40 years old