Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII NSDAP Party enamel membership badge pin manufactured by Fritz Zimmermann of Stuttgart and marked on the reverse RZM 72. It is a desirable early RZM marked example from the period before the later M1 prefix system came into use, and Fritz Zimmermann is a comparatively uncommon maker for this type of badge.

The NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), was originally founded in Munich as the DAP, Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (German Worker’s Party), on January 5TH 1919. When Adolf AH joined the DAP in the autumn of 1919 he was to reform what was basically a debating society into an active political party. Appointed as the first chairman of the party on July 29TH 1921 AH was to restructure it along para-military lines in a hierarchy of four levels of government. Membership badges of this type were worn by accepted party members and became one of the most recognizable pieces of political insignia associated with the organization.

The badge measures approximately 24mm in diameter and is of die struck alloy construction with multicolored enamel decoration. The obverse features a translucent red circular border with silvered lettering reading:

NATIONAL-SOZIALSTISCHE-D.A.P.

surrounding a white enamel center with a canted black mobile swas.

The enamel remains in very good condition with only light wear. Much of the original silvered plating survives on both the front and reverse, although it has darkened and tarnished from age and oxidation. The overall presentation remains strong, with the lettering, enamel fields, and central emblem clearly defined.

The reverse is marked:

((RZM))

72

This maker code identifies Fritz Zimmermann of Stuttgart, Germany. The simple RZM 72 marking is an early style associated with the 1933-1934 period, before the later M1 prefixed coding system became standard for political badges and insignia.

The reverse is fitted with a safety pin style attachment, which remains intact and suitable for mounting the badge to clothing or display material. It has a small GES. GESCH. marking on the back of the retaining plate, for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected By Law), indicating that the hewer is a trademarked design.

With its early RZM 72 marking, uncommon Fritz Zimmermann manufacture, intact multicolored enamel, substantial surviving silvered finish, and complete safety pin attachment, this is an appealing example of an early NSDAP membership badge. The light enamel wear and age related tarnishing to the plating are fully disclosed. It would display especially well in an NSDAP political insignia, RZM coded badge, Fritz Zimmermann maker, early party badge, or advanced German WWII political 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 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 first item that they classified were metal badges, and did not use any prefix at first, later moving these items under the "M1" heading. In this system contractor 72 was Fritz Zimmermann of Stuttgart, which would later use "M1/72" on these badges.