Original German WWII HJ Enamel Cap Badge by Karl Wurster of Markneukirchen – RZM M1/34 Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII HJ Mützenabzeichen (HJ Cap Badge), marked RZM M1/34 for manufacture by Karl Wurster of Markneukirchen in Saxony, Germany. It is constructed out of a die stamped nickel alloy base that has been silver washed and contains white, black, and translucent red enamel work. The rhomboid diamond shaped obverse depicts the AH Youth emblem, which consists of a black mobile swas (hook cross) above a silvered square diamond which is surrounded by alternating white and red translucent pebbled quadrants and is all surrounded by a small silvered border. The full back reverse has a horizontally soldered on pin assembly and is maker marked ((RZM)) on the top and M1/34 on the bottom. The pin measures approximately 25mm tall by a 13mm wide.

The plating on this example has completely faded, so the exposed metal is now a gray zinc color. This is a late war example, so the enamel used is opaque and relatively thin, however it is close to 100%, making this a great pin!

AH believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The AH Youth (H Jugend or HJ) was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys aged 14-18 (AH Jugend) and girls aged 14-18 (Bund Deutscher Mädel) were enlisted in the Party-run organization.

Of Note: In late 1934 items manufactured for the NSDAP and other organizations, including membership pins, came under the quality control of the RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster) and as a result were marked with the RZM logo when appropriate. The registry was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M1 in the code stands for Metal Badges, with Karl Wurster of Markneukirchen being contractor number 34.