The Coburg Badge

[Br. James]

Thanks for this, Erich, which generates a small question: when a person entitled to own and wear a Coburg Badge wanted to buy a copy of his badge -- say, he lost the original or it got damaged -- wouldn't that copy have come in a case or some sort of a box? I would imagine that such copies could be bought through the RZM stores in major cities...?

Also, at an award ceremony when a badge is personally presented to the recipient, is it not possible that the case for that award is held aside for pickup after the event? In the experience I have had of such a situation -- the Order of Saint John -- the decoration is ceremonially affixed to each recipient's clothing by the officiating person (either the Prior or the Grand Prior) and the case is separately handed to the recipient as he/she departs. Could this not have been similar in the Coburg Badge's presentation?

Br. James

[ErichS]

I once asked Steve Wolfe if he ever had seen a CB case and he had not and he has probably handled more CBs than anyone. So, it's really anyones guess. One thought is they were issued possibly in envelopes and none had survived.We must not forget that the party was tight on money with all the elections that had to be paid for and this badge was awarded before the assumption of power. As far as the later badges not much is really known about them and how they could be abtained. IMO, they were either replacement badges, honor awards given by Hitler or extras for original recipients for their addtional uniforms. I still think that at least the 1st type badges were without a case and pinned by Hitler on the brown shirts of the old fighters.

[Br. James]

Many thanks for your thoughtful response, Erich.

Br. James

[transvision]

the coburg badge

hi it would be interesting to know how many 1st pattern coburg badges survive in collections today?

[ErichS]

hi it would be interesting to know how many 1st pattern coburg badges survive in collections today?

Very very very few!

[transvision]

Very very very few!

thanks erich but how many is very very very few. 10.20.30.????it would be good to know how many are in collections today.

[ErichS]

thanks erich but how many is very very very few. 10.20.30.????it would be good to know how many are in collections today.

Can't really answer that question but my guess is than 20

[ErichS]

Can't really answer that question but my guess is than 20

Less than 20

[ErichS]

I want to thank Jeffhan for this nice photo of Christian Weber wearing his Coburg Badge. Weber was head of the office of the 8/9 November.

[coburg22]

Looks like he is also wearing the chain for members of the Munich City Council which was also worn by Emil Maurice. Jeff Hansen always has good photos for Bender's Military Advisor.

Best,

James

[ErichS]

Many collectors have wondered, like myself why such a high level award like the Coburg badge was not numbered like the Blood Order. Well, after reading a first hand account of the awarding of the badge in Kurt Ludecke's book, an answer can be found. Since the badge was awarded on one day to only about 436 people personally by Hitler there was no need for the badge to be numbered and also would not have been practical. Later Honor awards like the BO/GBP were awarded in much higher numbers and in most cases sent to the recipient after the assumption of power. Answering questions is why period references and first hand knowledge is so important regarding the items that we collect!

[Br. James]

Thanks, James; that chain of office is probably for Weber's position on the Munich City Council. Weber must have been quite a fellow; his online bio includes the following description: "A city councilman in Munich, [Weber] was effectively the boss of the city following the Nazi seizure of power. Weber became something of a hate figure in the city, particularly amongst the middle classes, and he became a by-word for corruption as it was regularly questioned how this former hotel bellboy had come to own a number of hotels, villas, petrol stations, a brewery, the city's racecourse and bus service as well as an apartment in The Residenz, the downtown royal palace of the Wittelsbach kings right across the street -- Rezidenzstrasse -- from the Feldherrnhalle." With such notorious proclivities, one wonders how/if Weber got along with Adolf Wagner, the Gauleiter of München-Oberbayern?!

Br. James

[ErichS]

For anyone with an interest in the CB, the Ludecke book has been a real treasure trove. Another bit of information is that after Hitler came to power, it was found that some officials were wearing the badge who were not entitled to do so. A questionnaire was sent out to all holders of the badge and the recipient was to list three witnesses who could vouch that they were there. The same process was done with holders of the Blood Order as well. Intersting stuff!

[Br. James]

Very interesting indeed, Erich! Does Ludecke give any reason for how these non-recipients were able to obtain CBs to wear?

Br. James

[jerry c.]

the book is back in print as of late last year. a rather pricy paperback... or if you do kindle, only $2.99


http://www.amazon.com/Hitler-Third-R...9343591&sr=8-2