Original WWII German Badge & Insignia Lot – HJ, Saar, Ost-Hannover & WHW

Description

Original WWII German badge lot, Tinnie and Insignia Collection – 1930s to WWII

This original German historical badge and insignia lot brings together a varied selection of period tinnies, political and commemorative badges, a cloth military trade insignia and a miniature wartime donation booklet. Rather than consisting of multiple examples of the same type, the grouping represents several different aspects of German political, social, maritime, youth and military history during the 1930s and Second World War period.

Among the most identifiable pieces are an Ost-Hannover NSDAP anniversary badge dated 1925–1934, a “Seefahrt ist Not” maritime badge from 1935, a “Treue um Treue – Saar 1935” commemorative tinnie, a Deutsche Jugendherbergen / DJH badge dated 1937, a probable Wehrmacht Heer signals personnel sleeve insignia, and an original miniature wartime booklet titled “Des Führers Kampf zur See.”

Two additional dark-finished circular badges are included exactly as shown. Their precise attribution has deliberately been left open because their designs cannot be read with sufficient certainty from the available photographs.

Ost-Hannover 1925–1934 Anniversary Badge

One of the visually strongest objects in the collection is the large bronze-toned badge in the form of a swastika, carrying the dates 1925 and 1934.

This specific design is documented by specialist collections as an NSDAP Ost-Hannover 1925–1934 9-Year Anniversary badge. Comparable examples measure approximately 52 mm across and were manufactured as pin-back commemorative pieces.

The present example retains attractive aged toning and substantial relief, with the dates remaining clearly visible.

“Seefahrt ist Not” Maritime Badge – 1935

The large silver-coloured maritime badge is another particularly decorative piece.

Its design consists of a large sailing vessel within a circular frame surmounted by the German national eagle and swastika. The surrounding inscription identifies the piece with the “Seefahrt ist Not” campaign of 1935.

The reverse of this example retains its horizontal fastening pin and faint manufacturer markings, although I would not assign a specific maker from the photographs alone.

“Treue um Treue – Saar 1935”

The oval silver-coloured badge showing two figures clasping hands is the well-known “Treue um Treue – Saar 1935” commemorative badge.

The example included here retains its original horizontal pin.

Deutsche Jugendherbergen / DJH 1937 Badge

The small eagle-shaped silver badge is dated 1937 and contains the letters DJH together with the contemporary youth emblem.

It is a recognised 1937 badge connected with the Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk, the German Youth Hostel Association. Comparable examples are documented by specialist dealers and institutional collections as period youth-hostel fundraising or participation badges.

The example in this lot shows noticeable surface ageing and oxidation but remains recognisable.

Wehrmacht Signals Sleeve Trade Insignia

Also present is a black oval cloth sleeve patch featuring a large embroidered lightning bolt and arrow.

The construction and design correspond closely to Heer specialist insignia for signals personnel. Comparable examples with red embroidery are described as being associated with communications personnel attached to artillery formations.

On this example the embroidery shows substantial age and wear, with pale areas visible through the original red/orange stitching. Because the reverse has not been photographed separately and colour reproduction can vary, the artillery attribution should be treated as probable rather than absolute.

“Des Führers Kampf zur See” Miniature Book

The small illustrated book is an original miniature publication entitled “Des Führers Kampf zur See.”

Its reverse identifies the issuing organisation as:

Zweites Kriegshilfswerk für das Deutsche Rote Kreuz

Museum collections confirm that these miniature publications were produced in 1941 as small fundraising or donation books. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum describes surviving examples as button books that could be worn as evidence of a charitable contribution, while the Deutsches Historisches Museum preserves the same title in its collection.

The interior contains illustrated wartime propaganda relating to German naval operations.

The present example is heavily used, with substantial rubbing and wear to the cover, but retains the printed interior.

A Varied Historical Grouping

What makes this grouping attractive from a collecting perspective is its range.

It brings together material relating to:

• political events and party organisation;
• the Saar plebiscite;
• maritime propaganda and fundraising;
• youth organisations;
• military specialist insignia;
• wartime charitable fundraising;
• German political and civilian ephemera of the 1930s and early 1940s.

It therefore offers considerably more visual and historical variety than a lot made entirely of inexpensive May Day tinnies or generic WHW donation badges.

The two dark circular badges are also included as part of the original group, but their exact event or organisation remains unconfirmed from the available photographs.

CONDITION

The collection is in mixed original used condition.

The metal badges show varying degrees of oxidation, toning, darkening, surface wear and loss of original finish. Several retain their original pin-back systems.

The Ost-Hannover badge retains especially attractive aged bronze colouring. The silver maritime and Saar pieces show surface oxidation and wear.

The textile signals patch has visible wear and loss or fading to sections of the embroidered lightning device.

The miniature booklet is heavily worn, with rubbing, edge loss and considerable use to the printed covers, while the internal pages remain present.

All pieces are supplied exactly as photographed.

The photographs form an integral part of the condition description.

AUTHENTICITY / ATTRIBUTION NOTE

The identified pieces correspond visually with documented period types and examples held or sold by specialist institutions and dealers.

Because only group photographs are currently available, no maker attribution is claimed where markings cannot be read confidently. The two dark circular badges remain intentionally unidentified rather than being assigned speculative descriptions.

HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY NOTICE

These objects are offered solely as original historical material for collecting, research, educational and documentary purposes.

Autographs & Militaria has no political or ideological affiliation with, sympathy for or endorsement of National Socialism, the Nazi regime or any organisations represented by these historical objects.

Further Reading

For historical background, see Deutsches Historisches Museum, LeMO: “Das Winterhilfswerk (WHW)” (A. Scriba).

Before buying, read my Complete Collector’s Guide to WWII German Medals.