Early Enamel DAF Stickpin

[RonR]

Believe this to be a very early DAF Stickpin.

Please correct me if this is an error...........


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[RonR]

;;;

[burgerhaus]

Ron Good question. The Swats is like design to Studentenbund. Freundschaft? Students & workers? Whatever it is it is nothing short of a great piece. Thanks for showing.

[burgerhaus]

I am suprised no others have an opinion on this rarity. The signifigance of the handshake...the shape of the swastika?

[feldpost 58]

Hi,
I have thoughts on this badge. Perhaps (due to the shape of the swastika) it was manufactured to commemorate a joint DAF/HJ trade competition?
My memory fails me here, but I am sure that there is an enamelled tinnie (may be for Day Of German Handicrafts or a similar event?) which has the same "joined hands" design.
This may tie in with the "trade competition" thought.
Looks to me like a good original badge, never seen one similar!

Best regards,

John.

[RonR]

Husken identifies it as the first form of the DAF lapel insignia...........




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[JoeW]

That is an odd explanation by Andre. The Studentenbund swaz is obvious. I would question whether it is a true "party" pin as it has no RZM, only Ges. Gesch. Unless before the 1934 RZM regulations? But then did the Studentenbund exist then?

[burgerhaus]

I too wonder the same thing Joe. What criteria is he using for his deterimination? Is he privy to a period catalog or something of that nature.

[Thorsten B.]

That is the symbolic handshake of worker and ingenieur.

In german period term: Arbeiter der Stirn und Arbeiter der Faust = one is working with his brains and the other with his hands.

You can find that handshake symbolism usually on communist pieces and now here the Nazis occupied it and lead it in another direction.

Let´s not forget: a bunch of Nationalsozialisten needed to "persuade" a bunch of Sozialisten - so what can be better than using symbolism they are used to?

A very rare first DAF pin, no doubt.

[jabnus]

The handshake can be found on more (early) German items. Most common the "Deine Hand dem Handwerk" badges and paperwork, but also on the very early NSDAP medal with Hitler and von Hindenburg on it. I can't make a photo at the moment (maybe tonight if there's still light), but that medal is from 1933 and deals with the coming to power of the NSDAP. First time i saw the pin that started this topic i had to think of the medal, i think it dates the pin also to early 1933? As the period 1933-1934 was some sort of transition period to tie the DAF together it may very well be a very early (maybe even local?) DAF pin?

Here's a small compilation of handshake handwerk items:

[jabnus]

After a quick search on the forum THIS link showed up. It shows the medal (and some variations) i meant in my previous post.

The more you think of it the more logic it all seems: this symbol (handshake) was in use in this period in 1933 as some sort of "unity-symbol". The overtaking of power by the NSDAP (getting it from old and wise german icon von Hindenburg added some credibility to the symbolism) sealed by a handshake. It also symbolises the early direction the party wanted to go. It does not seem that rare to find it on a very early pin of a just instituted new sub-organisation like the DAF. The DAF was at first not the strong organisation holding the millions of members it later would have. The using of the handshake in a similar manner as on the medals seems very appropriate to add to such a pin.

Very nice pin RonR.

best regards,
Gaston

[RonR]

Gaston,

Many thanks for the advice.

Here is one of those medals..............


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[RonR]

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[Br. James]

Hi Joe,

In response to your question about the origin of the Studentenbund, Wikipedia tells us: "The National Socialist German Students' League (in German, Nationalsozialistischer Deutscher Studentenbund; abbreviated NSDStB) was founded in 1926 as a division of the NSDAP with the mission of integrating University-level education and academic life within the framework of the National Socialist worldview." As to this stick pin, the shape of the swas is the same as that of the NSDStB, though the absence of the red blocks between the arms of the swas may indicate that it is an early design, and pre-RZM.

Br. James