German Awards - Gau Badge for NSDAP members since 1923

Gauleiter was established for members of the NSDAP from 1923 or 1925 around 1933 by Gauleiter of some Gaue. These included Gau Saxony, Gau Bavarian Ostmark, Gau Franken, Gau Halle-Merseburg, Gau Hesse-Nassau, Gau Magdeburg-Anhalt and Gau Mecklenburg-Lübeck. In Saxony, the Badge of Honor was awarded first. Other Gau introduced a sign on the same pattern somewhat later. Other Gau created their own Gau traditions or Gau badges of honor. More precise award provisions are not known. For the sign with the number of 1923, membership in the NSDAP until November 9, 1923 was a prerequisite. For the 1925 number mark, proven membership was considered a prerequisite from its re-establishment on 27 February 1925. In Saxony, the presentation took place with a passport signed by Gauleiter Mutschmann. Other GAUs have probably adopted this approach. The gau sign was worn on the left side of the chest. Members of the NSDAP who had the Gold Badge of Honor of the NSDAP could wear only one of the two insignia. The simultaneous wearing of several gau signs or the NSDAP Golden Badge of Honor was prohibited. The sole manufacturer is R. Wächtler & Lange of Mittweida. There are badges with double wire needles and, as shown here, a simple needle. Similarly, badges with enameled or lacquered swastikas are known. Exact award figures are not known. Source: J. Nimmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945, vol. IV.

Round, openwork sign made of silver sheet. On the front side there is also a swastika riveted with a wreath. At the back is a vertical pin with a mating hook. Manufacturer on the back.

Front side:

• The edge is formed by a silver, patinated wreath of oak leaves.
• The swastika installed on the tip is attached from the sides with 2 rivets.
• A cross with raised silver edges and a central enlarged, silver number of the year - 1923.
• The inner sides of the swastika are enameled with black or painted as here.

Downside:

• The edge is half engraved with the side rivets of the cross.
In the
• center of the swastika is a 3-line manufacturer's designation:
• - R. WACHTLER -/- & - LANGE -/- MITTWEIDA -, including a silver bullet - 800 -.
• Vertically - a pin (simple here) with reciprocal hooks.