Original Item. Only One Lot Available. This is a varied collection of 25 German political, commemorative, organizational, and event badges dating principally from the 1930s, with the earliest dated example commemorating a 1928 regimental gathering. Commonly referred to by collectors as tinnies, the assortment represents a broad selection of organizations and events, including NSDAP rallies, regional political gatherings, German labor and agricultural celebrations, veterans' reunions, musical festivals, civil air defense, and charitable fundraising activities.

The collection includes several particularly interesting dated pieces, among them a 1933 NSDAP Reichsparteitag Nürnberg badge, a 1938 NSDAP district rally badge from Mainz, a 1939 Kreisappell Bitterfeld badge, and a 1936 Reichsnährstand exhibition badge from Frankfurt am Main. Also present are a German political event stickpin commemorating a 1937 gathering in Göteborg, Sweden, an early 1928 Regimentstag badge, and various occupational, social, and regional organizational pieces.

The badges are manufactured from a variety of materials, including stamped and cast base metals, lightweight aluminum and zinc alloys, and molded composition material. Their designs range from simple circular reliefs to elaborate openwork forms, with several retaining gilt or silver-colored finishes, original-style stickpins, and clearly legible manufacturer markings.

The complete collection consists of the following 25 pieces:

• German 1936 Commemorative Event Badge: Circular gray-metal badge depicting a standing female figure holding a symbolic object, with the date 1936 and a political eagle and swas. below. The surrounding inscription is partially worn.
• 1938 NSDAP Kreistag Mainz Badge: Circular aluminum-colored badge inscribed Kreistag der NSDAP Mainz 1938. The design incorporates a spread-winged political eagle, a wreathed swas., a wheel symbol, and the heraldic lion of Hesse.
• 1935 VI. Liedertreffen des Kochergaues Badge: Gilt-colored circular badge commemorating the sixth regional singers' gathering in Künzelsau, Württemberg, in July 1935. The central inscription is enclosed within a decorative scroll, surrounded by laurel leaves and surmounted by a lyre.
• 1939 Kreisappell Bitterfeld Badge: Rectangular relief badge inscribed Kreisappell Bitterfeld 1939. It depicts a rural scene with agricultural workers, a horse-drawn plow, buildings, and an industrial structure in the background. A political eagle and swas. appear at the lower right.
• 1933 NSDAP Reichsparteitag Nürnberg Badge: Large bronze-colored eagle-shaped stickpin featuring a political eagle with a central swas. above an architectural representation of Nuremberg. The lower portion is inscribed N.S.D.A.P. Reichsparteitag Nürnberg 1933.
• White Molded Composition Badge: Circular white badge with a raised central design and an inscription around the outer border. The reverse retains its metal safety-pin fitting and the molded number 20.
• German 1936 Political Commemorative Badge: Dark circular badge depicting a standing figure beside a monument or symbolic structure, with a political eagle and swas. beneath. The lower inscription includes the date 1936, while portions of the surrounding lettering are obscured by wear.
• German Veterans' and Commemorative Gathering Badge: Ornately shaped metal badge depicting two historical figures wearing traditional clothing and standing beside a shield. Gothic lettering surrounds the design, with additional commemorative text along the lower edge.
• 1937 Kampdag Göteborg Stickpin: Bronze-colored shield-shaped pin commemorating a political gathering held in Göteborg, Sweden, on October 3, 1937. It displays a castle or fortress above the inscription Kampdag Göteborg 19 3/10 37, with a swas. beneath. The Swedish inscription and location distinguish it as a Scandinavian political event piece.
• Political Openwork Badge with Crossed Eagle Heads: Silver-colored openwork badge featuring four projecting eagle-head forms surrounding a cogwheel and swas., backed by a radiating circular field. The reverse carries an RZM marking, the code M9/20, and additional lettering including Walgo, Werspe, and BHR.
• Luftschutz Lotterie Badge: Oval black-and-silver-colored openwork badge inscribed Luftschutz Lotterie. The central composition features a sword crossing a stylized air-defense device, together with a pennant carrying a radiating emblem.
• 1936 Reichsnährstands-Ausstellung Frankfurt Badge: Silver-colored shield-shaped badge commemorating the agricultural exhibition held in Frankfurt am Main in 1936. The inscription reads Reichsnährstands-Ausstellung 1936 Frankfurt am Main. Below it is a stylized agricultural composition with radiating wheat sheaves, an eagle, and swas. emblems. The reverse is marked E. F. Wiedmann, Frankfurt a. M. S.
• Orange-and-White Heraldic Donation Badge: Small molded composition badge featuring a red heraldic lion on a white shield with an orange border and lower scroll. The reverse retains traces of its original attachment arrangement.
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• 1936 Gautreffen Badge: Circular gray-metal badge with a political eagle carrying a swas. above a mountainous or regional landscape. The surrounding inscription identifies a 1936 Gautreffen, or regional gathering. The reverse is marked A. Rettenmaier, Schwäb. Gmünd.
• German Political Figural Badge: Dark circular badge depicting a group of three standing figures in relief, with a swas. emblem positioned below. The badge retains a dark aged surface with portions of the raised design still well defined.
• 1935 Tag der Arbeit Badge: Large silver-colored oval badge commemorating the 1935 Day of Labor. Three occupational figures are depicted in relief, including an industrial worker carrying a hammer and figures representing agricultural and productive labor. A political eagle with swas. and the date 1935 appear below. The reverse is marked Carl Schlenker, Schwäb. Gmünd.
• Kinder aufs Land Commemorative Badge: Bronze-colored circular badge displaying an adult figure holding the hands of two children, surrounded by radiating decoration. The lower inscription reads Kinder aufs Land, or "Children to the Countryside."
• WHW German Naval Flag Donation Badge: Small red, white, black, and yellow molded badge depicting a German war ensign suspended from a miniature flagstaff. The reverse bears the inscription Trageflagge der Kriegsschiffe and retains its metal safety-pin fitting.
• German Three-Portrait Commemorative Badge: Circular gray-metal badge displaying three overlapping male portraits in relief. The figures appear in profile and military-style clothing, with additional symbols and an inscription along the outer border.
• Miniature Spherical Stickpin: Small gray-metal spherical badge or miniature device with a projecting long attachment pin and small raised projections around its body. It retains a central seam dividing the two hemispherical sections.
• 1939 Schwäbischer Sängerbund Festival Badge: Tall bronze-colored badge with a musical and architectural composition, incorporating a lyre and a group of figures above a rectangular base. The lower inscription commemorates the 32. Allgemeines Liederfest des Schwäbischen Sängerbundes, held in 1939, with the initials SSB prominently displayed.
• 1934 German Political Commemorative Badge: Circular metal badge dated 1934, displaying a large central swas. against a landscape or architectural design, surrounded by a Gothic-lettered inscription. The badge retains its original-style horizontal pin fitting.
• 1939 Oak-Leaf Arrow Badge: Large gilt-colored, upward-pointing arrow decorated with raised oak leaves and acorns. The date 1939 appears toward the lower portion. The reverse retains a pin fitting and is stamped M9/60, together with a small circular marking.
• 1928 134er Regimentstag Limbach Badge: Gilt-colored shield-shaped badge commemorating the 134th Regiment gathering held in Limbach, Saxony, from June 9–11, 1928. The central design features a military helmet over crossed swords, framed by oak leaves, with the inscription 134er Regimentstag 9.–11. Juni 28 Limbach Sa.
• Miniature Projectile-Shaped Stickpin: Small gray-metal pin formed in the shape of an aerial bomb or projectile, with a tapered body and angular tail fins. The reverse retains its long pin attachment and is stamped H6.

Several pieces retain particularly useful manufacturer and production information. The named manufacturers include Carl Schlenker and A. Rettenmaier of Schwäbisch Gmünd, E. F. Wiedmann of Frankfurt am Main, and additional pieces marked for L. Chr. Lauer of Nürnberg-Berlin. Manufacturer and production codes include RZM M9/20 and M9/60, together with L/58, H6, and other small stamped or molded markings.

The collection is in good overall condition, with wear appropriate to badges of this age. The metal pieces display age toning, oxidation, surface discoloration, and varying amounts of original gilt and silver-colored finishes. Several have developed a dark gray patina, while the raised details remain well defined on many examples. The molded and painted pieces retain their characteristic colors, with scattered staining, minor finish wear, and occasional small losses. Most badges retain their pin fittings, although some show oxidation, distortion, or more substantial wear around the attachment points. The heavily toned circular badges have softer relief and partially obscured inscriptions, while the larger shield-shaped and openwork pieces remain particularly well preserved.

Historical Context

Event badges were already a familiar part of German public life during the late Imperial period and the Weimar Republic. Veterans' associations, singing societies, occupational groups, civic organizations, and political movements regularly commissioned small commemorative pieces for meetings, festivals, reunions, and public celebrations. These inexpensive badges were usually worn on civilian clothing and retained afterward as souvenirs.

German manufacturers referred to such items as Veranstaltungsabzeichen (event badges), Tagungsabzeichen (meeting badges), and related designations according to their purpose. Production ranged from simple stamped sheet-metal pieces to more elaborate cast, plated, enameled, or molded designs. The variety of constructions made event badges accessible to organizations with very different financial resources.

The NSDAP greatly expanded the political use of these insignia after coming to power in 1933. Its organizational structure divided Germany into major territorial districts called Gaue, which were further subdivided into Kreise and smaller local organizations. Each administrative level organized rallies, ceremonies, political anniversaries, and public gatherings, creating considerable demand for commemorative badges.

A Kreisappell was generally a district-level assembly or roll call involving Party members and affiliated formations. The gatherings could include speeches, parades, organizational inspections, and demonstrations of political unity. These events helped maintain the Party's public presence throughout Germany, particularly in smaller cities and industrial communities.

The national Nuremberg Party Rallies represented the most elaborate expression of this political culture. The 1933 rally, officially titled the Reichsparteitag des Sieges des Glaubens (Rally of the Victory of Faith), was held from August 30 to September 3. It was the first Nuremberg rally following the NSDAP's assumption of national power and was intended to demonstrate the strength and apparent unity of the new regime.

The rallies subsequently developed into carefully staged mass gatherings involving political formations, ceremonial marches, speeches, and large public assemblies. They also played an important role in the regime's propaganda, presenting the political leadership and its affiliated organizations within a highly organized ceremonial setting.

Regional events operated on a smaller scale but drew upon much of the same symbolism. Eagles, swas. emblems, oak leaves, heraldic devices, and local architectural landmarks appeared frequently in their designs. Dates and place names established the connection between the wearer and the specific event, while the badges themselves became souvenirs of participation.

German political movements also operated beyond the borders of the Reich during the 1930s. In Sweden, several National Socialist organizations emerged during the interwar period, drawing inspiration from political developments in Germany while operating within Sweden's own political environment. The existence of commemorative insignia bearing Swedish-language inscriptions illustrates the international reach of this political culture before WWII.

National labor celebrations formed another important category. The NSDAP government declared May 1 a legal holiday in 1933 under the designation Tag der nationalen Arbeit, or Day of National Labor. The traditional workers' holiday was transformed into a state-directed celebration emphasizing the regime's concept of a unified national workforce. Independent German trade unions were forcibly dissolved the following day, and the German Labor Front subsequently became the principal organization through which the regime controlled workplace representation.

Annual May Day celebrations continued throughout the 1930s, with political speeches, parades, factory gatherings, and ceremonial observances. Their visual symbolism emphasized agriculture, industry, craftsmanship, and national service. Occupational figures and industrial tools were frequently incorporated into the designs of commemorative badges.

Agriculture occupied a particularly prominent place in the regime's economic and ideological policies. The Reichsnährstand, established in September 1933, brought German agricultural producers, distributors, and related organizations under a centralized system of state supervision. Under Reichsbauernführer Richard Walther Darré, agricultural policy was closely connected with the regime's racial and rural ideology.

The third Reichsnährstands-Ausstellung was held in Frankfurt am Main from May 17–24, 1936. The exhibition included agricultural machinery, livestock, farming techniques, and displays intended to present the achievements and political objectives of German agricultural policy. Public exhibitions of this kind also provided opportunities to promote state-directed economic programs and agricultural production.

Civil air defense became increasingly important during the 1930s as European governments prepared for the possibility of widespread aerial warfare. The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB), or National Air Raid Protection League, was established on April 29, 1933, to organize civilian air-protection measures.

The organization instructed the population in blackout procedures, fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical treatment, gas protection, and shelter preparation. Its activities expanded substantially as tensions increased in Europe, eventually making civil air-defense preparation an important part of German civilian life. Fundraising lotteries and public collections helped finance its activities.

Charitable donation badges were especially widespread through the Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes (WHW), or Winter Relief of the German People. Established nationally in September 1933, the WHW conducted seasonal fundraising campaigns through house-to-house collections, street appeals, public events, and the distribution of small badges to contributors.

The WHW issued an enormous variety of themed collection badges, covering German history, regional traditions, architecture, flags, wildlife, military subjects, and national symbols. Production employed many different materials, including stamped metal, wood, ceramic, glass, and molded plastics. Approximately 8,000 distinct designs were distributed in millions of pieces between October 1933 and March 1943.

These collections were presented as charitable activities, although they also served the regime's wider political and propaganda objectives. The widespread distribution of donation insignia made public participation in fundraising campaigns highly visible and helped incorporate charitable giving into everyday political life.

The period also saw the continued activities of long-established German cultural organizations, including regional singing societies and veterans' associations. Choral festivals were particularly important in southern Germany, where large regional gatherings brought together numerous individual singing clubs. Many of these organizations maintained traditions established during the nineteenth century, although their activities became increasingly subject to the political controls imposed after 1933.

Veterans' reunions likewise remained important during the interwar years. Former soldiers of Imperial German regiments organized commemorative gatherings to maintain connections with their wartime comrades, honor fallen members, and preserve regimental traditions. Such events frequently incorporated the military insignia and symbols of the former Imperial Army, including steel helmets, crossed swords, and oak-leaf wreaths.

The manufacture of event badges provided considerable business for Germany's established metalworking industry. Firms in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Lüdenscheid, Nürnberg, Berlin, Vienna, and other centers produced large numbers of commemorative pieces alongside medals, jewelry, uniform fittings, and other metal goods.

Political insignia production was increasingly regulated by the Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM), the NSDAP's central procurement and inspection organization. Authorized manufacturers received identifying codes, with the M9 category covering day and meeting badges. These codes were frequently stamped onto the reverse of approved pieces, providing a means of identifying the original manufacturers.

The Leistungsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Ordenhersteller (LDO) maintained a separate marking system for decoration manufacturers, using the prefix L/ followed by a numerical identification. The coexistence of these systems illustrates the extensive commercial and administrative organization behind the production of German political insignia.

The wide variety of badges produced between the late Weimar Republic and the outbreak of WWII reflects the important role of public gatherings, commemorative ceremonies, professional organizations, and political propaganda in German society during this period.