Der Stahlhelm pin

[lach470]

Hi gang...
I have a Der Stahlhelmpin that is Ges.Gesch. marked underneath the helmet (not on the back... if you know what I mean)....anyways....there is a larger "GD" that is stamped just before it. I was wondering if someone could tell me what that means? Is this a MM? Thanks for any info you can throw my way.

Hope someone can help me out here....thanks again

Rob

[lach470]

another question

Hey... here's another thing I heard....my pin has an Iron Cross on it....some don't. I heard that pins with EK's were given to WW1 servicemen who had been awarded on EK....is that the case? Thanks....and please feel free to voice your opinion on this "GD" mark...thanks again
Rob

Hi gang...
I have a Der Stahlhelmpin that is Ges.Gesch. marked underneath the helmet (not on the back... if you know what I mean)....anyways....there is a larger "GD" that is stamped just before it. I was wondering if someone could tell me what that means? Is this a MM? Thanks for any info you can throw my way.

Hope someone can help me out here....thanks again

Rob

[lach470]

No takers guys? I thought for sure someone would know....or did I post this in the wrong section???? Help please.......and thanks


Rob

[VerKuilen Ager]

The "GD" doesn't ring any bells, but perhaps a maker's mark is logical if the piece is original (this item is being reproduced).

Originally, membership in the Stahlhelm was strictly limited to soldiers who had served at the front, hence the "Bund der Frontsoldaten" in the full name. The original emblem for those folks bore the Iron Cross in the design. Later, success caught up with the organization and there was quite a bit of pressure to be more inclusive because they were competing with other groups that were letting in youngsters and women. So, membership was opened up to folks who hadn't seen front line duty or hadn't even been in the war. To continue to honor the original Frontsoldaten, the IC was retained on their version of the emblem and all the "newbies" got the version without the cross.

[lach470]

Excellent info...thanks so much for the heads up. I didn't know that about the cross on the pin (read first post for my previous impressions).

Thanks for the info. I appreciate the help.

Cheers,

Rob