NSDAP Political Leaders Gorget

Description: Outstanding example NSDAP Political Leaders Gorget. The NSDAP Political Leaders Gorget was introduced by the Nazi Party in April 1939 and was to be worn by all flag bearers officially entrusted with carrying NSDAP unit standards, each of which had been consecrated by touching the “Blood Flag” stained with the blood of those killed in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. It was the largest of all the gorgets worn by military and paramilitary organizations in the Third Reich. The front of this one is near perfect. The gorget is made from a light metal, about 9 inches long and 4-1/2 inches high, and features a very detailed oak leaf border around a large and impressive right-facing national eagle emblem. The eagle is stunning, with polished high points contrasting sharply with the original chocolate brown chemical darkening in the recesses. The backing plate has a bright finish that is almost perfectly preserved, with just a few very minor marks here and there. The reverse retains all of the original hooks that were used to firmly affix this to the wearer’s uniform.  The green felt backing has mothing and some losses, mostly along the top edge. This damage to the backing would of course be hidden when the gorget is displayed in a frame or on a uniform. This NSDAP Political Leaders Gorget is complete with its original chain,  which is about 24 inches long, and features alternating wreathed swastika and national eagle emblem ornamentation on its 31 links. Both the chain and the gorget have matching maker marks, RZM M1/102, for the well-known award manufacturer Frank und Reif in Stuttgart. A great example, loaded with eye appeal just Gorgeous!

Historical Background: Gorgets were originally part of a knight’s armor during medieval times. Long after suits of armor were abandoned, the gorget continued to be used in many European armies as a form of military insignia. In the Imperial German Army until 1914, gorgets were worn as a special mark of distinction by certain elite units. Following WWI, German paramilitary and police organizations used gorgets for standard bearers, as insignia, and to denote personnel assigned special tasks. Following the Nazi rise to power, there was a vast increase in the number of uniformed organizations, and a variety of new gorgets were instituted for use by these civil, political and paramiliary organizations, as well as by the military. Standard bearers of most organizations, who were entrusted with carrying flags at rallies and in parades, wore gorgets. Other gorgets indicated assignment to guard or security forces. The military police personnel of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS had their own gorgets as a part of their uniforms, and were nicknamed “chained dogs” by the troops due to the chain used to suspend the gorget around the wearer’s neck. Because gorgets were never general issue to all personnel of any organization or military branch, they were manufactured in limited numbers, and are generally scarce to encounter today.

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