German Awards - Badge of Merit for National Wrestling

This badge of honor was established by order of Hitler in the fall of 1944. It is assumed that the fund was created on the initiative of Himmler and was promoted by the main department of VOMI, which was headed by SS Obergruppenführer Werner Lorenz. Several classes were originally planned. The background was the process of resettlement of the so-called Volksdeutsche to the occupied territories, in particular to Warteland, the former province of West Prussia. The resettlement was carried out by Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle. In this regard, honored functionaries were awarded an honorary badge. The first award took place on October 24, 1944, Reichführer SS Himmler and the head of the party office Reichsleiter Bormann. The exact award provisions or statutes are unknown or have not survived. Badges of honor usually have a matrix number (award number). Also known are icons without a number, as well as abbreviations measuring 30 mm. The badge of honor is extremely rare due to the very short rental period. Notable sources speak of fewer than 550 awards. Surviving specimens should be significantly lower. Source: J. Nimmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945, vol. IV.

Round, openwork silver badge. The wreath is gilded. The circulation is old-silver tinted and riveted. Rear side with vertical gold-plated hook pin. The matrix number is engraved on the top wreath.

Front side:

• The edge is formed from a gilded oak-leafy wreath open from above.
In the
• openwork middle part, a high eagle facing the right with lowered wings in contact with the wreath at the top and on the lower peaks.
In
• catches, it has an oak wreath with a straight, light blue enameled swastika.
• Below it is horizontally an old plow with a wheel on the right.
A
• diagonally placed sword is superimposed on it, the tip on the left.
• On the wreath is a relief, gold burgundy and light blue enameled number of the year - 1939.

Downside:

• A wreath with a built-in middle part in the shape of M is gilded.
• Stops are fixed on wreath and middle part 8 with rivets.
A needle beam
• is fixed in the middle of the M-part.
• The counterhook is soldered to the wreath, the needle is narrowed down.
• Top left wreath - N ° .- right - 391 - award number
.

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