1923 Gau Honor Badge

Product Description: This 1923 Gau Honor Badge is a very nice example of this scarce political award that is missing from most collections. This is a 1923 version, and is the more desirable enameled type. The design of this badge is striking, with a bold black enameled swastika with “1923” date superimposed on a wreath. There is no damage to the factory done glossy black enamel. The wreath is nicely burnished, and the metalwork retains virtually all of the original silver finish. All of the original detail is present. On the reverse, this 1923 Gau Honor Badge features a classic hardware setup with hollowed rivets, double wire pin, wide hinge, and round wire catch. The hardware is intact and functional, with no repairs, and the rivets remain tight. The silver finish to the back of the wreath and swastika shows nice, uncleaned age toning. The reverse of the swastika is nicely maker marked for Wächtler & Lange. This badge has outstanding eye appeal and remains in excellent plus condition.

Historical Description: The Nazi Party was organized geographically into districts. Below the national “Reich” level were the “Gau” districts. They were the Nazi era administrative equivalent of traditional German states. The leadership of each Gau was authorized to award special badges, to recognize a variety of achievements in the political realm. The exact requirements for each award were determined by the leader of each Gau and could range from outstanding service to the local political organization, to long service to the Party, or participation in important historic events during the Party’s time of struggle before 1933. Some Gau badges were issued in several grades to recognize different levels of experience or achievement. These badges were worn on military, and civilian, uniforms and were a mark of honor for the Nazi political elite. Twelve different Gau Honor Badges were designed for the 33 (later 43) Gau districts of Nazi Germany. They were carefully designed with impressive designs to denote the high levels of achievement for which they were awarded, and the quality of these badges is generally extremely high. These were awarded in limited numbers, and as a result, none of the Gau Honor Badge types are commonly encountered today.

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