Original Item: Only One Available. These are extremely rare, and this is the first example we have seen! This is a very early membership pin for the Ultra-nationalistic Romanian Iron Guard (Romanian: Garda de Fier). This is the name most commonly given to a fascist movement and political party in Romania founded in 1927 by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu as the Legion of the Archangel Michael (Legiunea Arhanghelului Mihail) or the Legionnaire Movement (Mișcarea Legionară). Its ideology was ultra-nationalistic, antisemitic, antimagyar, antiziganistic, and opposed to both communism and capitalism; it also promoted Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The group was responsible for widespread ethnic persecution, as well as several pogroms.

The membership pin itself is made of brass, and measures 3/4" round. The front bears the image of one of the Kingdom of Romania's first kings, wearing a traditional headdress between the letters T. and R.. The pin has a back plate which secures a safety pin inside for attachment.

The pin also encloses an old style Romanian flag, with the colors sideways. This is the form the flag took when the country was known as the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, which was used until 1866. After this the Kingdom of Romania was founded, and the colors of the flag were arranged blue, yellow, and red left to right. As fascist groups often looked to the past, older symbols were often used to show a link.

In very good condition, and extremely rare!

More on the Iron Guard:

In March 1930, Codreanu formed the Iron Guard as a paramilitary branch of the Legion, which in 1935 changed its official name to the "Totul pentru Țară" party—literally, "Everything For the Country" Party. It existed into the early part of the Second World War, during which time it came to power. Members were called Legionnaires or Greenshirts because of the predominantly green uniforms they wore.[4]

When Marshal Ion Antonescu came to power in September 1940, he brought the Iron Guard into the government, creating the National Legionary State. In January 1941, following the Legionnaires' rebellion, Antonescu used the army to suppress the movement, destroying the organization; its commander, Horia Sima, along with other leaders, escaped to Germany.