HJ Nordmark 800 Silver Brooch?

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

I recently acquired this brooch. As you can see, it is in the form of the Odal Rune, which I understand, amongst other things can symbolise the homestead or family.

The outer border of the brooch has the following inscription, in regional dialect, and utilising runic script:

"Dat Land Ob Dat wie Stoht Is Heili Land"

This I understand is the motto of the Nordmark Hitler Youth.

As you can see from the reverse, the piece is marked with the silver content mark, 800, 'Handarbeit' (Handwork), and a makers mark (which I can't make out).

Has anyone seen anything like this before?

Any and all comments gratefully recieved.

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

And the reverse:

[TobyR]

No comments?

Has anybody encountered the motto before?

All the best,

Toby.

[Robin Lumsden]

Toby.

I've never seen this particular badge before, but it's very nice.

As you'll probably know, the Odalrune was symbolic of kinship, family and general fertility of the land and was used as the badge of the HJ Landjahr, the SS Race & Settlement Department etc. as well as its better-known associations with the Waffen-SS division 'Prinz Eugen'.

This badge reminds me of the Gahr jewellery in Germanic form which Himmler encouraged SS men to buy and present to their wives on the birth of their first and subsequent children - the so-called 'Mothers Brooches'. It isn't one of those, but it's very similar in style.

A very nice thing all round.

Cheers.

Robin.

[TobyR]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for replying. Are you at all familiar with the motto: I've read that it was used by the Nordmark Hitler Jugend, and is in regional dialect.

Also, do you have a picture of one of the Mother's Brooches you mention. I'm not familiar with these, and it would be interesting to compare.

I've had a stab at enlarging the maker's mark but it is still quite hard to make out, looks like, H. something.

Thanks again.

All the best,

Toby.

[John Bart]

Hi TobyR,
Very nice piece indeed. I have a passion for silver hallmarked items.
I've never seen this piece before. It has an intoxicating mystique
about it. Nice find.
.. John

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Toby, like Robin and John, I too have never see this badge before, but I certainly like the look of it. A nice peice of design.


Cheers, Ade.

[TobyR]

John, and Ade,

Thanks for commenting and glad to hear you both like it.

It's presently sitting on my desk, perplexing me, everytime I look at it. Maybe some strange runic magic is hypnotizing me? Hmmn!

All the best,
Toby.

[John Bart]

John, and Ade,

Thanks for commenting and glad to hear you both like it.

It's presently sitting on my desk, perplexing me, everytime I look at it. Maybe some strange runic magic is hypnotizing me? Hmmn!

All the best,
Toby.

Toby,
I think it may be hypnotizing all of us!
.. John

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

Just to keep you all up to date - I now have the postcard which allowed me to connect the brooch with the HJ Nordmark. Cf. the second line of the verse with the brooch.

The symbolism on the card, aside from the use of runic fonts is very strong. Unfortunately, a lot of regional dialect is used, so I am unable (with my limited grasp of German) to make full sense of it (essentially: blood, land, freedom, strength, etc.). If anyone can tell me, I'd love to know. The card is signed at the bottom, and dated. I presume this is the writer of the verse but I do not know. Again, anyone know?
The reverse of the card is marked Hitler-Jugend Nordmark. I have never seen such a card before, and imagine that it is pretty scarce.

Incidentally, both items came from different sources

Hope you like it.

All the best,

Toby.

[TobyR]

And the reverse:

[TobyR]

If anyone is interested, with the help of two friends / fellow forumites, I have now been able to translate the text of the postcard. It would seem to make sense, and I believe it to be pretty close to the intended meaning.

Thanks - Toby.

The Oath of the Youth of Nordmark:

The Land on which we stand is Holy Land.
Free, we receieved it, and free we wish to remain,
and take as we need that which belongs to us.
We will never buckle.
Loyal, we shall stand together, until death, if God gives us the strength.
United for eternity.
And you want our strength and our honour
Our last drop of blood stands between this.
We shall never let ourselves be forced into slavery.
Freedom is for us, higher than life.
Loyal, we shall stand together, until death, if God gives us the strength.
Rather death, than slavery.

[John Bart]

Glass Rune

Hi TobyR,
I just came across this and thought you might be interested in seeing
this. Nice companion to your miraculous piece.
Regards,
John

[TobyR]

Hi John,

A belated thank you for posting the image. With the Blut und Boden reference, this is clearly referring to the earth / soil significance of the Odal Rune, as mentioned by Robin.

Interesting to see.

Thanks and all the best,
Toby.