Germany - Weimar Republic: Stahlhelm Membership Badge for 1929, silver-wash and enamel, 'STH' mark and 'Muster Ges.Gesch' acceptance mark, with vertical wearing pin. The reverse engraved ‘VI. No. 1956’ and ’1.5.29’. indicating the badge was awarded to a member of the Stahlhelm Group from Ludenscheid.
Condition: some minor loss of paintwork to the obverse, Very Fine
These badges were all issued in November 1933, the date '1929’ reflects the date that the recipient joined the Stahlhelm. The details 'VI No. 1956' have been identified through research: The 'VI' means Stahlhelm Group 'Ludenscheid', the number '1956' is the recipient's membership number for the Group, with '1.5.29’ being obviously the date of joining. The badge was issued with years dates from 1918 through to 1932, and it ceased to exist after 1934.
On 28th March 1934 Bundesführer Franz Seldte issued a proclamation detailing in nine points the dissolution of the Stahlhelm Bund and setting forth its future life and operation under its new title, The National Socialist German Front-Soldier League (Stahlhelm). On November 14, 1935, Dr. Wilhelm Frick, Minister of the Interior, issued an order prohibiting any further awards of this traditions badge and permitting only the newly-created 22mm NSDFBSt membership badge to be worn on civilian clothes. By this time the Stahlhelm and all other veterans’ organizations were completely absorbed under the Obersten SA-Führung, the Supreme Command of the SA.
