{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-hj-enamel-cap-badge-insignia-by-frank-reif-of-stuttgart-with-hj-receipt-stamp-card-rzm-m1-102","title":"Original German WWII HJ Enamel Cap Badge Insignia by Frank \u0026 Reif of Stuttgart with HJ Receipt Stamp Card - RZM M1\/102","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice original German WWII HJ \u003cem\u003eMützenabzeichen\u003c\/em\u003e, or cap badge, accompanied by an original named HJ \u003cem\u003eQuittungsmarkenkarte\u003c\/em\u003e, or receipt stamp card, from \u003cstrong\u003eBann Bielefeld 158\u003c\/strong\u003e. Together, the two pieces make an appealing small grouping associated with a younger member of the HJ organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe card identifies the owner as being in the \u003cstrong\u003eDeutsches Jungvolk in der HJ\u003c\/strong\u003e, the junior branch for boys approximately 10 to 14 years of age. The card measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e3 1\/4 x 4 7\/8 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e and remains in very good condition, showing only the expected staining and age toning from long storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge itself is a very nice enamel HJ cap insignia manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eFrank \u0026amp; Reif of Stuttgart\u003c\/strong\u003e and marked with the RZM contractor code:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM1\/102\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is constructed from a die-stamped nickel alloy base with a silvered finish and white, black, and translucent red enamel. The rhomboid obverse carries the familiar HJ national youth emblem, consisting of a black mobile swastika over a central silvered diamond, surrounded by alternating white and translucent red pebbled enamel quadrants and a narrow silvered border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is fitted with a horizontally soldered bent flat-wire attachment clasp and is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM1\/102\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e((RZM))\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e25 mm high by 13 mm wide\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse retains much of its original plating and remains partly bright. The obverse has lost more of its silvered finish and has developed a distinct mustard-toned patina around the borders. The enamel remains fully present, although cracks are visible in most of the individual quadrants. In the red sections, these cracks have allowed some oxidation to develop beneath the translucent enamel, giving the surface additional age character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RZM, or \u003cem\u003eReichszeugmeisterei\u003c\/em\u003e, was responsible for regulating the production and quality of insignia, uniforms, equipment, and other items manufactured for the NSDAP and its affiliated organizations. By the mid-1930s, approved manufacturers were assigned standardized RZM codes. In this case, the \u003cstrong\u003eM1\u003c\/strong\u003e prefix identifies the category for metal badges, while \u003cstrong\u003e102\u003c\/strong\u003e is the contractor number associated with Frank \u0026amp; Reif of Stuttgart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HJ had its origins in the early 1920s, when the NSDAP began organizing youth groups intended to bring younger Germans into the movement. These early organizations went through several reorganizations before the HJ was formally established as the party’s principal youth organization in the mid-1920s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1930, the HJ had grown substantially and included boys aged 14 and older, while younger boys between approximately 10 and 14 were organized separately in the \u003cstrong\u003eDeutsches Jungvolk\u003c\/strong\u003e. Girls were organized in parallel through the BDM.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the NSDAP rise to power in 1933, youth organizations outside party control were progressively absorbed or dissolved, and the HJ system expanded dramatically under Reich Youth Leader Baldur von Schirach. Membership, uniforms, badges, and administrative records became increasingly standardized, which is reflected in pieces such as this RZM-marked badge and the surviving receipt stamp card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of a named Jungvolk card and a correctly marked Frank \u0026amp; Reif cap badge makes this a very appealing small HJ grouping, especially with the card still retaining its local \u003cstrong\u003eBann Bielefeld 158\u003c\/strong\u003e association.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44834346500165,"sku":"ONSV26PCS114","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS114__01.jpg?v=1774991434","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-hj-enamel-cap-badge-insignia-by-frank-reif-of-stuttgart-with-hj-receipt-stamp-card-rzm-m1-102","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}