Original German WWII Medal and Insignia Lot Featuring NSDAP Party Pin and Wound Badge – 6 Items Original Items

Original Items: Only One Lot of 6 Available. This is a wonderful lot of items which were more than likely brought home by American soldiers at the end of both World Wars. They are in lovely condition and are perfect for the young collector who is looking to add a variety of medals and insignia to bolster their collections!

The Following Items Are Included:

– x2 KvK 2nd Class Without Swords and 1 Ribbon: The War Merit Cross was a state decoration of NSDAP Germany during World War II. By the end of the conflict it was issued in four degrees and had an equivalent civil award. A sanitized version of the War Merit Cross was reissued in 1957 by the Bundeswehr for its veterans.

This award was created by Adolf H in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars (similar medal but with a different ribbon). The award was graded in the same manner as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service “not in direct connection with combat”, and without swords given to civilians for meritorious service in “furtherance of the war effort”. Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level.

The Gold KvK is in good condition with a possible replacement ribbon. The 2nd medal has all original finish missing as well as the suspension ring.

– German WWII 1939 War Merit Medal (Kriegsverdienstmedaille): Comes complete with the original ribbon, in very good condition. There is a bit of oxidation on the back, but it has only caused discoloration.

– Black Wound Badge: Badges were made of pressed steel, brass and zinc. All versions of the Wound Badge were worn on the lower left breast of the uniform or tunic. The badge was worn below all other awards on the left. It ranked lower than combat badges. There were 24 approved manufacturers of the Wound Badge. At first, the Wound Badge in Black was stamped from sheet brass, painted semi-matte black with a hollow reverse pin back attachment or of solid construction. From 1942, steel was used to make the badges. The Wound Badge in silver was made (before 1942) from silver-plated brass, and (after 1942) from lacquered zinc, and had a solid reverse with either a needle pin or a broad flat pin bar. The Wound Badge in Gold was a gilded version of the Wound Badge in Silver. In 1957, a revised version of the Wound Badge was authorized for wear; however, the previous type could still be worn if the swas were removed (for example by grinding).

Most of the original black paint is missing from this example, do not mistake this for being a Gold version of the award.

– 1935 Tag Der Arbeit Tinnie: Introduced in 1933, the NSDAP declared May 1st the “Day of National Work” as an official state holiday to celebrate laborers and the working classes. It is constructed out of a die struck aluminum-alloy base that has been silver washed with burnished highlights. The oval-shaped obverse depicts three men; one man has a sledgehammer over his shoulder, one has a scroll in his hands and the other has a sheaf of wheat lying over his forearm. These men are below an arched: “Tag Der Arbeit” (Labor Day) and above a national eagle, with outstretched wings clutching a wreathed swas within its talons, that is flanked by “1935”.

– NSDAP Party Enamel Membership Pin by Gustav Brehmer – RZM M1/101: This is a very nice original German NSDAP (NSDAP) Party Enameled Badge Pin, marked on the back with ((RZM)) M1/101 for manufacture by Gustav Brehmer of Markneukirchen in Saxony, Germany. This maker was relatively well known, and we have seen other pins from them.

This example is a standard issue membership badge, awarded to all personnel on acceptance as an official party member. It is a 24mm diameter, die struck zinc alloy badge NSDAP membership badge with multi-colored enamel work. The badge features a translucent red, circular outer border with embossed silvered script, NATIONAL-SOZIALSTISCHE-D.A.P., encompassing a white enamel field with canted black enamel Swas. In very good condition, with lots of intact plating on the back, while the front shows a bit more wear, and some tarnish on the silver plate. Overall very good condition with great enamel, and the back has a very nice “safety pin” style attachment, which would work on any type of clothing.

All items come more than ready for further research and display!