Nürnberg 1929 Party Day Badge

The Nuremberg Rally was the annual rally of the NSDAP (Nazi Party) in Germany, held from 1923 to 1938. These Reichsparteitag or Reich national party convention were large Nazi propaganda events held at the Nazi party rally grounds in Nuremberg from 1933 to 1938 meant to symbolize the solidarity between the German people and the Nazi Party. Each annual rally was given a programmatic theme and in 1929 in relation to this particular badge, the 4th Party Congress, was known as the "Day of Composure" and held on August 2, 1929.

This 1929 badge was the very first NSDAP award which pre-dates the Blood Order and the Coburg Badge, making it the 1st official NSDAP award. Early badges that were sold at the Rally were not stamped with RZM marks and only showed the maker which in this badge shown is made by Hoffstätter. The RZM badges were produced after 1936 when it became an Honor award of the Party, marked with the numeral 15, or in a solid backed version both by the same firm of Ferdinand Hoffstätter, Bonn am Rhein. Bronze and silver versions exist with the silver variant pictured here. From author's own collection.

Above is a late issue of the Silver version of the Nürnberg 1929 party day badge, as evident from the maker mark on the reverse, showing RZM M1/15 for the firm Ferdinand Hoffstätter, based in Bonn am Rhein. Made of stamped metal, the details are well preserved and the pin is firmly soldered. There are differences between the first issue (described in the article below) and that of the later version (as shown below). In the first issue badge, the Nürnberg cityscape is shown to be more defined and the text more sharply executed. More distinctively, the background has a finely textured finish while in the later version shown below, has coarser pebbled finish and the letters less well defined. On the reverse, the first pattern has the full text of the maker Hoffstätter Bonn and Ges. Geschützt stamped on the pinning disc, while the later variant only shows RZM M1/15. In the photo from Life magazine, Hitler is shown wearing the badge, recognised as an official party award after the event. From author's own collection. 
 

Nürnberg 1929 Party Day Stickpin and Table Medal

The Nürnberg 1929 Party Day Stickpin shows a resting eagle on top of a German steel helmet emblazoned with a swastika. On the top shows the landscape of the Nürnberg city with the words 1914-1919 NSDAP Parteitag 1929. This particular stickpin is marked on the reverse with the marker F. Hoffstätter, Bonn and GES GESCH for registered trademark. The knurled pin is affixed onto a disc, again with the Bonn firm of Ferdinand Hoffstättermarker's mark and very carefully soldered onto the badge. The overall badge is very well made despite its small size and being rarely offered in the collector's market. Private purchase pieces marked 800 for silver are sometimes also encountered. From author's own collection.

This is a table medal variant of the Nürnberg 1929 party day award, said to be bestowed to dignitaries and VIPs. The plaque is constructed from solid bronze, and the reverse is plain with the exception of an embossed maker’s name that reads, F. Hoffstatter Bonn. Cased examples exist with a blood red case and usually embellished with a dark blue coloured lining on the inside. There are fakes in circulation. When comparing to the badges, there is greater similarity to that of the late-issue badge where there are consistencies to the style of text such as the G of Nürnberg and the numerals with a drooping tip. The details of the eagle on this plaque is excellent, with feathered streaks on the body. From author's own collection.

Second pattern SA treffen for Braunschweig badge

Hitler arrived in the morning of 17 October in Braunschweig, filled SA men marching through the city singing songs and taking part in street battles. The following Sunday, 18th October, the SA associations marched early in the morning to Franz's field where Hitler consecrated new SA associations by touching the "Blood Flag" of the failed putsch of 1923 and gave ​​a speech.this was then followed by a march past of SA and SS units in front of Braunschweig palace that took six hours, ending with a speech by Hitler in front of the town hall.This is a second pattern SA treffen for Braunschweig badge, made in hollow die-stamped method of manufacture and unmarked. This variant is one of the more commonly encountered pieces, but has extremely well defined details to the front. From author's own collection.

This second pattern SA treffen for Braunschweig badge is similar to the one described below, but has markings on the reverse. It is marked with C. Poellath Schrobenhausen which also made numerous other badges, tinnies and the Barvarian / Imperial German flight badge. The firm, Carl Poellath founded in 1778 still operates today http://www.poellath.de Other later variants include solid-backed RZM marked pieces by M1/63 Steinhauer und Lück, Lüdenscheid; M1/17 F. W. Assmann und Söhne, Lüdenscheid; M1/35 Wachtler und Lange, Mittweida. The badge shown here has its pin affixed onto a disc showing the manufacturer's stamp, and is soldered to the back of the badge. This is one of the more sought after variants. The badge belongs to the author, and the photograph showing this second pattern badge in wear is from the Larrister Collection.

First Pattern SA Treffen for Braunschweig Badge

The SA rally that took place in Braunschweig on 17 and 18 October 1931 in the presence of Adolf Hitler was the largest deployment of paramilitary organizations during the Weimar Republic with tens of thousands of SA and SS men from across Germany taking part. This badge started life as a lowly donation type of badge which was then elevated to a national decoration due to the importance of this particular SA meeting and was allowed to be worn by those having taken part. Two designs exist and the badge below is the rarer first pattern with a round configuration and embossed lettering. Fakes exist in the form of having raised letters. The original first pattern badge is made of thin zinc material and feels very light. On the reverse, a pin is soldered and has no markings shown. This is one of the more sought after political collectibles and rather scarce to find. From author's own collection.

Feldherrnhalle Martyrs' Plaque

The Feldherrnhalle martyrs' plaque is a desk piece sculptured as a scaled presentation of the the original Mahnmal in Munich, Germany. The plaque was built to honour fallen comrades who took part at a failed revolution attempt that occurred between the evening of 8 November and the early afternoon of 9 November 1923, when Adolf Hitler had unsuccessfully tried to seize power. The 16 fallen were regarded as the first "blood martyrs" of the NSDAP. Shortly after coming into power, a memorial was placed at the south side of the Feldherrnhalle crowned with a swastika. The back of the memorial has an inscription "Und ihr habt doch gesiegt!" - And you triumphed nevertheless! From author's own collection.

Luftwaffe Stylised Eagle on Wood Base

Luftwaffe stylised eagle, likely to be affixed onto a wall plaque or decorative item with a threaded hole on the reverse. The head of the eagle, talons and feathered wings are extremely well sculpted. Made from casting process of aluminum in parts and soldered together, and then polished. An example is shown below, as a desk piece whereby the eagle is mounted onto a wood base with a marble backing and personalised dedication as a rememberance desk piece for a Luftwaffe training session in 1942. This came from Eastern Philadelphia from a Veteran. Both from author's own collection.

NSKK Helmet Shield

Hollow version of NSKK helmet shield. Believed to be finished in brass and unmarked with one prong still remaining. Some corrosion on the front and reverse of the shield. Definitely a been there piece. Recent discussion with other collectors have also revealed that this was used for a very short period of time where it would be mounted onto the NSKK motorcyclist's helmet. However, no period photos exist to confirm such claims. From author's own collection.

NSKK Vehicle Radiator Plaque Solid Variant

Solid version of NSKK car or motorcycle radiator plaque. Made of aluminum and electroplated with a chrome finish. The N.S.K.K. initials are emblazoned onto the material, whilst enamel has been used for the swastika symbol. Two through holes are drilled through the wingtips, and another two on the top and bottom are for mounting purposes. The reverse is marked with gesetzlich geschützt, indicating copyright or registered trademark but to an unknown firm or maker. The reverse also shows minor pitting marks that have been sanded off, indicating that this might have been a piece made from the casting process. From author's own collection.

NSKK Vehicle Radiator Plaque Hollow Variant

Hollow backed version of the NSKK vehicle radiator plaque. The details are almost identical to the solid version as above, indicating possibly the same firm made these, but produced in late war years as aluminum and other metals became more scarce. This would have been fabricated using a stamping process where a high pressure metalworking machine tool was used to shape and cut a sheet metal and then deforming it with a die block. From author's own collection.

Well-Detailed Bronze Eagle Emblem

NSDAP eagle emblem, made from bronze. This was probably once mounted onto a plaque or as part of a decorative item, and then removed with triangular hooks being soldered and added on. The details of this piece are very well sculpted and the proportions symmetrically reproduced. The outlines of this piece are not perfect, indicated that an amount of manual handwork was involved in the manufacturing process after this piece was cast from bronze. From author's own collection.

Nürnberg Desk Eagle Smooth-Back Variant

Classic Nürnberg styled desk eagle made of aluminum and mounted onto a cream coloured marble based. This variant is known as having a 'smooth back' where there are no feathered details on the reverse of the eagle. The original silver-gilt finish is still present on some parts of this eagle. Below the tail near the swastika shows the maker mark, HB which also shares the RZM code list of M3/28 - H.H. van Beusekom (Gladbeck). From author's own collection.

Nürnberg Desk Eagle on Customised Wood Base

This is a Nürnberg style desk eagle mounted onto a customised wooden pith and remounted onto a post-war marble base. It was said that this was a vet bring back piece as a souvenir from the war spoils. Whether it was prised out from a trophy or was damaged, the Nürnberg eagle shows very good detail and this variant is the feathered-back version in contrast to the one above which has a smooth back. This version is harder to find and more sought after than the above. As this piece did not have the lower mounting part intact, it is unclear which firm made these. From author's own collection.

Classic Nürnberg Desk Eagle with Dedication

Of all desk eagles and trophy pieces, this would be the most recognised form of Nürnberg eagle, identified by the sharp details and with a less rounded chest than the other style shown above. This piece shows some of the original gilt-wash still present and mounted onto a cream coloured marble base. This piece is unmarked and has a dedication plaque for the Flughafen-Betriebs-Kompanie (airfield works company) dated 23 January 1940. From author's own collection.

Nürnberg Desk Eagle Swept-Wing Variant

Not officially a Nürnberg-style eagle, this is the third most commonly encountered variant of desk eagles recognised by collectors by its spread-out / swept wings and beautifully crafted head that looks in a different direction than it's feathered friends. There was a discussion once that said such eagles facing right indicated its affiliation with the NSDAP party, whereas those such as this below was for unofficial purposes. This piece still has its original silver wash intact with the edges now smoothed out. Mounted onto a black hard stone base, this variant has no foundry marks. From author's own collection.

Nürnberg Trophy Eagle on High Base

This Nürnberg-stylised trophy eagle is set mounted onto a high base made of cream marble with beautiful veins. A dedication plaque inscribes as this being awarded to Rudi Thoellden with an iron cross insignia inscribed above his name. Below the plaque is a laurel wreath made of aluminum affixed onto the marble. What is of great interest is that this eagle has a RZM marking of M3/100 as shown on the reverse, just below the tail. From author's own collection.

Glockenspiel "Jingling Johnny" Eagle

These eagles were mounted onto the top of a Glockenspiel (also called a "Jingling Johnny" or lyra), a percussion instrument composed of a set of tuned keys similar to the xylophone but made of metal plates. These were displayed during military parades as part of a musical ensemble. A member of the unit’s band would hold the pole and shake it while marching with the rest of the band, usually behind the front of the drum line. It was originally carried as part of the military band to keep time synchronized between the music and marching. Today, both France and Germany still retain the use of these music pieces, but only during ceremonious occasions. From author's own collection.

History of the Nürnberg Eagle and this Blog

The Nürnberg eagle has its roots from the Kurt Schmid-Ehmen styled eagles displayed in the Luitpold Arena at the Nürnberg Rally Grounds. This image came from a postcard, serial numbered 1113 from the art publishing house of G. Michel based in Nürnberg. Many designs of such commemorative postcards were made available during the rallies and known as Reichsparteitag Nürnberg series.

The Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) was the central government quartermaster that controlled the nations material production during the second world war Germany. The Procurement Office defined the design, production and quality standards of all equipment and products, serving for standardisation and quality control. There were 12 RZM codes (M1-badges and insignia (Metallabzeichen); M2-sub-contractors (Hilfsbetriebe); M3-symbols (Symbole); M4-belt buckles (Koppelschloss); M5-uniform fittings (Uniformeffeffekten); M6-aluminum products (Aluminiumwaren); M7-daggers (Dienstdolch u. fahrtenmesser); M8-metal accessories (Metallzubehorteile); M9-meeting badges (Fest-u. Tagesabzeichen); M10-musical instruments (Musikinstrumenten); M11-NSDAP Service Awards (NSDAP Dienstauszeichnungen); M12-Miniature NSDAP Service Awards (NSDAP Dienstauszeichnungen in Miniatur)), of which only M3 codes for symbolic artefacts will be investigated in this blog. M3 "Symbole Hersteller" thus included artefacts such as room decorations, honor prizes, table stands, auto plaques, radiator ornaments, vehicle pennant pole tops, flag pole tops, lyre and Schellenbaum crests, and office signs, etc. Further which this blog aims to look at eagle influenced symbols.