Freikorps Insignia

[Rick Research]

This is the sleeve insignia of Freikorps Reinhard, which was composed of men from the 4th Guard Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Guard Regiment of Foot, operating in the Berlin capitol area from January to May 1919.



The hollow stamped insignia was sewn on by a pair of holes at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions.

The unit's commander, Oberst Wilhelm Reinhard, previously CO of 4GRzF, was one of only 122 WWI recipients of the Pour le Merite with Oakleaves (PLM 27.817, OL 1.10.18).

He resigned from the army immediately after the Armistice rather than serve the Weimar Republic, and was a member of the Nazi Party from 1927. He served as the head of the Nazified German veterans Kyffha"userbund, was illegally bumped up three ranks by Hitler to become "General der Infanterie aD" on 27.8.39 (a day all other PLM winners got ONE "25th anniversary" promotion), but was mainly to be seen in his black uniform as an SS Obergruppenfu"hrer.

[François SAEZ]

Rick,
Just to have an idea, hHow many guys were in Freikorps Reinhard?

François

[Rick Research]

I don't have any numbers for this particular Freikorps.

[VerKuilen Ager]

The unit was called a "Volunteer Regiment" which gives some hint to the size. However, the term "Regiment" was used rather loosely at times. When the unit was absorbed into the Reichswehr, it became Mobile 2. Garde-Infanterie-Brigade (Reichswehr Brigade 15), which may give a better hint as to the manpower involved. Here too, only guestimates are appropriate, as lots of vets jumped ship when the crisis was over and headed home rather than sign up for the new army.
Supposedly this insignia also exists in a silvered version, but most every one I've seen is the gilt type. Although only worn a short time in 1919, as Freikorps emblems go, this is one of the more "common." I suspect that it, like the von Epp piece, may have been remanufactured for wear as an "honor" emblem. A close look at period photos of Stahlhelm members shows it in use as late as the 1930s.

[Rick Research]

Here's one from the days when "Neighborhood Watch" meant street patrols with rifles:



This is an armband of the Einwohnerwehr (Neighborhood Self-Defense), a loosely organized national association of middle class and right wing civilians, here for the City of Munich.

The lacquered metal shields were apparently originally intended to have been serial numbered, but I have never seen on so marked.

The "other side" favored red armbands!

[eric]

WoW!
Thanks for sharing! I've seen the shields before but never a complete ensemble. Nice