{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-d-v-g-westmark-lothr-r-d-k-enamel-membership-badge-pair","title":"Original German WWII D.V.G. Westmark (Lothr.) \u0026 R.D.K. Enamel Membership Badge Pair","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Pair Available. This is an interesting matched group of two German enamel membership badges from the National Socialist period, consisting of a D.V.G. Westmark (Lothr.) membership badge by \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eW. Redo of Saarlautern\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and an R.D.K. Reichsbund der Kinderreichen membership badge. Both retain their original horizontal pinback fittings and display attractive period enamel work, making this a particularly nice grouping of two quite different political and social-organization badges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first is the distinctive \u003cstrong\u003eD.V.G. WESTMARK (LOTHR.) \u003c\/strong\u003emembership badge associated with the \u003cem\u003eDeutsche Volksgemeinschaft in Lothringen\u003c\/em\u003e, or German People's Community in Lorraine. The organization was established in German-occupied Lorraine in 1940 as an auxiliary organization closely modeled on the NSDAP, and operated in the French Moselle region under German civil administration. Its membership badge deliberately followed the general appearance of the standard NSDAP party badge, but reversed the familiar color arrangement: a red enameled swas. on a white field, surrounded by a black enameled border bearing \u003cstrong\u003eD.V.G. \/ WESTMARK (LOTHR.)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is clearly maker marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eW. REDO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e SAARLAUTERN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis marking identifies manufacture by the W. Redo firm in Saarlautern, present-day Saarlouis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second badge is an \u003cstrong\u003eR.D.K.\u003c\/strong\u003e membership badge for the Reichsbund der \u003cem\u003eKinderreichen Deutschlands zum Schutze der Familie e.V.\u003c\/em\u003e, roughly translated as the “\u003cem\u003eReich League of Large Families in Germany for the Protection of the Family\u003c\/em\u003e”. During the Third Reich the organization became part of the regime's population and racial-policy apparatus; a 1937 government directive explicitly described its purpose as promoting National Socialist population policy and encouraging large families considered acceptable under the regime's racial criteria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe R.D.K. badge has an especially recognizable design. A silvered eagle spreads its wings protectively over five small chicks, symbolizing the large family, all set against a textured translucent red enamel field. The black enameled outer border bears the letters \u003cstrong\u003eR · D · K\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the lower edge displays a swas. flanked by oak leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of this example retains its original horizontal pin assembly and is stamped \u003cstrong\u003eGES. GESCH.\u003c\/strong\u003e, an abbreviation for \u003cem\u003eGesetzlich Geschützt\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning \"legally protected\" or \"registered design.\" Beneath this is an encircled “B” logo, which might represent an unidentified period manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth badges show honest period wear from age and use. The D.V.G. example remains especially appealing, with its enamel and overall design still presenting very well. The R.D.K. badge is more worn, with scattered enamel loss and a moderate chip to the black outer field, but the central design remains clear and easily recognizable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a pair, they are a good illustration of just how broad the network of National Socialist organizations had become by the wartime period. The D.V.G. badge is tied specifically to German-occupied Lorraine and the political reorganization of that region, while the R.D.K. badge came from a civilian organization centered on large families and population policy within Germany.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45682483200069,"sku":"ONSV26CC305","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/93840A36-F81A-471E-A4B3-4A28C3EF25AC.jpg?v=1788545769","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-d-v-g-westmark-lothr-r-d-k-enamel-membership-badge-pair","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}