KDF Gau Franken Pin

Product Description: This KDF Gau Franken Pin is a nice, clean example of a fairly scarce tinnie. It’s made out of aluminum, and is likely an early piece, from the 1930s. The obverse features a stylized depiction of the Aussichtsturm Frankenwarte tower in Würzburg (the capital of Gau Franken), which was built in 1894. Superimposed on the tower are the organizational emblem of the “Kraft durch Freude” organization, with a DAF emblem and stylized swastika, as well as the wording “K.d.F. Gau Franken.” This pin shows only very light wear, with a few small marks and a little patina in the recesses. The reverse of this KDF Gau Franken pin is unmarked, and has a functional steel pin that is still firmly held in place with the original crimps. There is some corrosion to the pin assembly. “Kraft durch Freude” (Strength Through Joy) was not a huge organization, relatively speaking, and KdF items are not very common. This is an attractive piece, in very good condition.

Historical Description: “Tinnies” is a generic collector term for many different types of small pin-on badges that proliferated during the Third Reich. Small pins with various designs were made for members of various Nazi organizations, and were also made to commemorate events of all kinds, from Nazi Party rallies to sports races and trade conventions. Tinnies were also made to commemorate various special dates and anniversaries, holidays, and political days such as elections. Some tinnies were given to all participants of an event, while others were sold to raise money for a cause or for an organization. The Winterhilfswerk (Winter Help Organization) sold very many different kinds of tinnies to raise money for social help, both locally and nationally. Generally speaking, anyone at all could wear these, to show support, or just as a fashion statement. Tinnies were used by every Nazi organization, and also by the armed forces, and civil groups. There were many thousands of different designs. Despite the name, “tinnies” were not all made of metal. They were made in glass, amber, plastic, paper/cardboard, fabric, even pressed leather and wood. The manufacturers of these pins ranged from local artisans, to the factories that made military and civil awards. Some tinnies were produced in vast numbers and are easily found today. Others were made in smaller quantities, and rare tinnies can be very sought-after collector items today.

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