Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original German Deutsches Reiterabzeichen (German Rider’s Badge), 3rd Class in Bronze, attributed to L. Chr. Lauer of Nürnberg-Berlin and accompanied by its green period presentation/storage box marked “Reiter Bronce,” using the older German spelling of the modern word Bronze.

Introduced during the Weimar period in 1930 and continuing in use through the WWII era, the Deutsches Reiterabzeichen was a qualification award intended to recognize demonstrated proficiency in riding, horsemanship, and horse care.

The badge is of bronze-toned non-ferrous metal construction and has the distinctive openwork design of a mounted rider on a horse surrounded by an oval oak-leaf wreath. At the bottom is a small belt-like roundel containing the raised letter “R,” for Reiter (rider). The reverse retains its long vertical pin, hinge, and catch, along with the raised manufacturer's and legal-protection inscriptions characteristic of Lauer examples.

The badge remains in good original condition with attractive age toning throughout. There is expected surface wear and some thinning of the brighter bronze finish on the raised portions of the rider, horse, and wreath. The reverse pin assembly is complete and appears intact. The green cardboard box shows age and handling with edge and corner wear, scattered surface staining and discoloration, while the interior card insert has considerable age toning and spotting.

Comparable surviving cased Lauer sets show that this style of green sliding box could accommodate both the full-size badge and a small companion miniature or stick pin. The cuts visible in the unused portion of this example's interior insert appear consistent with such an arrangement; however, no miniature or stick pin is present with this set.

The reverse is marked:

GESETZLICH GESCHÜTZT

Legally Protected / Protected by Law

and:

L. CHR. LAUER
NÜRNBERG-BERLIN

identifying the manufacture with Nürnberg and Berlin locations represented in the firm's marking.
The box lid is printed: „Reiter Bronze“, literally “Rider Bronze,” identifying the bronze grade of the riding qualification badge.

The Deutsches Reiterabzeichen was introduced on 9 April 1930 by the Reichsverband für Zucht und Prüfung deutschen Warmbluts e.V., the national organization concerned with German warmblood breeding, testing, and equestrian sport. Contemporary reporting described the purpose of the badge as providing visible confirmation that its holder possessed a defined level of ability and knowledge in riding and horse care, while also encouraging continued advancement in the saddle.

The award was divided into different proficiency classes, with the present 3rd Class in Bronze representing the bronze qualification level. This was not simply a decorative sporting badge. A 1933 newspaper account reproducing the contemporary requirements states that applicants for the Bronze Class had to be at least 17 years old and demonstrate proficiency in riding exercises at Class A level, jumping a Class A course with obstacles reaching approximately 1.10 meters, and both theoretical and practical knowledge of riding and horse care. German horse culture still occupied an important place in both civilian sport and military training during the 1930s, and period newspaper reports document the badge being earned by civilian riders as well as members of uniformed organizations.