SA Treffen Braunschweig 17/18 Oktober 1931 badge

[all1knew]

Hello all,

Can anyone help me identify exactly what I have here. I believe this is a first pattern badge (circular rather than more of an oval shape) and with raised letters. This piece also appears to have been silver washed when originally produced. An unmarked example from what I can see so I assume pre-RZM era. Is it possible the raised-letter versions were more of a tinnie for the event rather than actually purchased/awarded? Similar to how we have different grades for other political awards (i.e. Gau Thüringen)

Are the raised letter examples deemed to be authentic by the forum? Were these pieces actually sold at the event? Cruising on the web I found some interesting information:

In November 1936, Hitler gave new "orders" for the "Orders and Awards" of the Third Reich. The top NSDAP awards were listed in this order: 1. Coburg Badge; 2. Nuremberg (Nürnberg) Party Badge of 1929; 3. SA Rally Badge at Brunswick 1931; 4. Golden Party Badge; 5. Blood Order (Blutorden); followed by the Gau badges and the Golden HJ Badge.

With that being said, you can see how highly this badge was held in the eyes of the party. Historic stuff!

any feedback and opinions on the badge itself are welcome.

William Kramer

[all1knew]

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[Br. James]

I like this badge which you show, as I've said here previously...and I know there are others among our colleagues here who disagree. As for it's being unmarked, event badges from the Kämpfzeit such as this one are often found unmarked -- other prominent examples of this lack of manufacturer's name are the RPT badges of 1927, 1929 and 1933, as well as the Gau Thüringen rally badge. And I believe the finish of these 'first issue event badges' was silvered -- the example of this badge in my collection still retains most of it's silvered finish, and is also unmarked.

It's interesting to read your listing of Hitler's classification of orders and awards as of November, 1936 -- this list indicates the prominence he placed upon the people who actually attended the major rallies of the NSDAP's early days, though the positioning of the GPB and the BO in that list seems odd to me, especially since the BO, the Coburg Badge and the GPB ascended to the very top of such lists. And while the holding of the GPB did not indicate a Pg's presence at any particular event in the Party's history, it did publicly state a person's loyalty and commitment to faithfully fulfilling his/her promise to support the NSDAP 'through thick and thin.'

Br. James