The National
Socialist Motor Corps (or
Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps, NSKK for short) was a
paramilitary
organization that existed from 1931 to 1945. The organisation was headed
by
Adolf Hühnlein from 1934 and after Hühnlein's death in 1942, Erwin
Krauss took
over as Korpsführer (Corps Leader). It was initially formed as a
motorized
corps of the Sturmabteilung (SA) and when its membership grew, it became
an
independent organization with an aim to educate members in motoring
skills such
as the operation and maintenance of high performance motorcycles and
automobiles. From 1935 onward, the NSKK also provided training for
Panzer crews
of the German Army. The NSKK eagle insignias pictured above were used on
the
first pattern motorcyclists' crash helmets, or on automobile radiator
grilles.
These were very well made, showing excellent details to the feathers and
details. In particular, those eagles mounted onto automobiles tend to be
made
in cast aluminium or an alloy, whereas those for helmets tend to be
struck hollow in aluminum. A second pattern styled insignia for crash
helmets, and a smaller insignia for visor caps exist. From author's own
collection.
