RZM Marks

[Joseph D'Errico]

I know this is a basic question and already know the answer,but need some input. I recently aquired an SS Lapel pin. Nice enamel work as well as construction of the attachment and good medal quality. The RZM code is correct,except the "Z" doesn't have the line going through the center. Was thier any variations known to be original without the line through the "Z".
Thanks
Joseph

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Joseph.....

.....I remember just recently reading a thread about that very subject. If I am correct, yes, that is an accepted variation. I am not sure whether or not that holds true for SS badges. Check for more information here:

Wehrmacht Support, Tinnies, and Political Organizations Forum

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Bruce

[Richard]

It is a common misconception that all RZM marks have to conform to rigid standards mostly imposed by the collecting community. There are instances of RZM markings that are the exception to the rule of the double concentric circle, crossbar on the Z and some other deviations from what is considered the textbook mark. Until recently I believed that the RZM marks with the canted M rather than the M with parallel legs was a known fake. I was proved wrong when I received an SA flagbearers gorget with provenance that had the canted M mark. I have only seen this on the items manufactured by F.W. Assmann & Sohne, Ludenscheid and seen it with both the M1/17 and the M5/8 marks. I have, up to now, not seen any other manufacturer that has used a canted M mark. A good resource, but by no means one that is 100% correct, is the book "A Collector's Guide to the RZM Marks of the NSDAP" by Joseph Schlager (published under a pseudonym as the original author was afraid of being labeled as pro nazi).
Richard V

[Joseph D'Errico]

RZM Markinks

Thanks for the quick response,The pin met all the criteria I felt it needed,but the question of the cossbar over through the "Z" was the only doubt that I had.
Thanks
Joseph