Original Item: Only One Available. Deutsche Kinderschar, Deutsche Kinderschar der NS Frauenschaft ("National Socialist Women's League's German Children's Squad") or Kindergruppen der NS.-Frauenschaft was an organized activity for children aged six to ten in National Socialist Germany from 1933 to 1945. These children's groups run by primary school teachers in the NS-Frauenschaft within local party areas. In 1938, there must have been more than 350,000 children in the groups. Activities with play and community also continued during the Second World War. Children in the same local team were dressed alike, but the uniforms were not standardized, and the outfits could vary between the groups.

Participating in "the German children's groups" was, among other things, to facilitate further organization and organization in the militaristically organized state. When the children turned ten, the girls became members of the Deutsche Jungmädel (JM), the boys of the Deutsche Jungvolk (DJ). When they turned 14, they continued in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM) and (HJ) respectively where they stayed until they were 18. These organizations were subordinate to the top leadership of the HJ. From 1936 membership in the state youth organization became compulsory.

This example is a standard issue NSF "German Children Squad" membership pin, worn by members of the organization. It is a 18mm diameter, die struck alloy membership pin with multi-colored enamel work. It features a white circular outer border with embossed silvered script, DEUTSCHE KINDERSCHAR / · N.S.F. ·, encompassing a white enamel field with canted red enamel Swas (hook cross). In very good condition, the plating is still well retained on both sides, though it does show some wear and oxidation. The enamel is in excellent condition, with no damage. 

It is also (RZM) marked on the reverse with M1/63 indicating manufacture by Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, a German city known for it's clothing accessories industry. The pin attachment on the back is fully functional.

A very interesting piece that really helps to illustrate the degree to which the NSDAP attempted to completely take over Germany, this is sure to make a great addition to any collection!

Of Note: In late 1934 items manufactured for the NSDAP and other organizations, including membership pins, came under the quality control of the RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster) and as a result were marked with the RZM logo when appropriate. The registry was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M1 in the code stands for Metal Badges, with Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid being contractor number 63.

More on the NS-Frauenschaft Women's League

The National Socialist Women's League (German: Nationalsozialistische Frauenschaft, abbreviated NS-Frauenschaft) was the women's wing of the NSDAP Party. It was founded in October 1931 as a fusion of several nationalist and NSDAP women's associations, such as the German Women's Order (German: Deutscher Frauenorden, DFO) which had been founded in 1926. From then on, women were subordinate to the NSDAP Reich leadership. Guida Diehl was its first speaker (Kulturreferentin).

The Frauenschaft was subordinated to the national party leadership (Reichsleitung); girls and young women were the purview of the League of German Girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel, BDM). From February 1934 to the end of World War II in 1945, the NS-Frauenschaft was led by Reich's Women's Leader (Reichsfrauenführerin) Gertrud Scholtz-Klink (1902–1999). It put out a biweekly magazine, the NS-Frauen-Warte.

Its activities included instruction in the use of German-manufactured products, such as butter and rayon, in place of imported ones, as part of the self-sufficiency program, and classes for brides and schoolgirls. During wartime, it also provided refreshments at train stations, collected scrap metal and other materials, ran cookery and other classes, and allocated the domestic servants conscripted in the east to large families. Propaganda organizations depended on it as the primary spreader of propaganda to women.

The NS-Frauenschaft reached a total membership of 2 million by 1938, the equivalent of 40% of the total party membership. The German National Socialist Women's League Children's Group was known as "Kinderschar".