Rare maker - 1926 Stahlhelm Service Entry Badge

[Gary B]

Here is a very unusual badge.

I was aware that Hoffsatter made some of the small 1918 badges but have never seen a badge from the rest of the series (1919 - 1932) marked with a MM. All of the ones I have seen have been marked Stahlhof which, as I understand, was the supply store for Stahlhelm.

This 1926 badge is made by Hoffstatter and is marked for silver content. Note the distinct font style for the date, especially the "2"

This is only the 2nd Hoffstatter marked badge I have ever seen that was not a mini 1918 badge.

Not the best pictures since taken with my iPhone.

Gary B

[Br. James]

Indeed this is a very unusual badge, Gary. I've never seen another like this one. Is it the same diameter as the standard dated Stahlhelm Commemorative Badges -- 30mm? I wonder whether the pin and plate could be a replacement on this piece?

Again, never seen another like this one!

Br. James

[Gary B]

Indeed this is a very unusual badge, Gary. I've never seen another like this one. Is it the same diameter as the standard dated Stahlhelm Commemorative Badges -- 30mm? I wonder whether the pin and plate could be a replacement on this piece?

Again, never seen another like this one!

Br. James

Hi,

Yes it has the same dimensions as a "standard" sized membership badge. There is no indication of any other hardware on this piece except the pin plate and pin (i.e. nothing else was there before). Plus there is no Stahlhof mark - a completely different reverse than the back of the Stahlhof pins.

A member PMed me to let me know that Hoffstatter had the contract to make pins for the post WWII Stahlhelm organization but was not sure if this was one of them. They apparently used the same dies (at least the obverse since the reverse is completely different). He told me that the 1950s versions had a limited run.

I have seen a 30 mm sized 1918 made by Hoffstatter with the exact same pin set up so not sure what this is.

Gary B

[Ron Weinand]

Unusual and the first one I have seen

[Gary B]

Thanks for the comments!

Gary B

[Gary B]

Does anyone else have a Hoffstater marked pin?

Would be interesting to see the percentage of Hoffstater badges to the ones only marked with Stahlhof.

Gary B