This is the second class of the three German sports qualification badges (gold, silver and bronze) of the 1930s, seen worn in many pre-war photos, particularly of SS and armed forces personnel. In 1938 alone, approximately 8,000 silver class badges were awarded, some 87,000 bronze and 1,900 odd gold.

This zinc-based badge (4cm diameter) commemorates the open rearmament to which Adolf Hitler committed Germany in 1936. It is maker marked 'Deschler u. Sohn // Munchen' on the reverse.

This commemorates the opening of the second exhibition of the Farmers Union on 25 May 1935 in Hamburg. Rechsnahrstand badges/insignia/medals are quite scarce compared to those of other NSDAP organisations. 'Blut und Boden' was their motto. It is a die-struck badge with an 'old silver' finish.

This is the standard cap eagle (6.5cm wingspan) worn on other ranks/NCOs and occasionally on officer's caps. It is maker-marked FLL (Friedrich Linden, Ludenscheid) on the reverse. It is the second pattern eagle, with upswept tail feathers.

There are good pre-war photos showing this in use, viz the Graf Spee's world cruise, for instance. U-boat crews would always wear these at formal events such as the Indienstellung (commissioning) of their boat, reverting to the schiffchen (fore and aft cap) for regular service use.

There are good pre-war photos showing this in use, viz the Graf Spee's world cruise, for instance. U-boat crews would always wear these at formal events such as the Indienstellung (commissioning) of their boat, reverting to the schiffchen (fore and aft cap) for regular service use.

There are good pre-war photos showing this in use, viz the Graf Spee's world cruise, for instance. U-boat crews would always wear these at formal events such as the Indienstellung (commissioning) of their boat, reverting to the schiffchen (fore and aft cap) for regular service use.

This commemorates the moment when Adolf Hitler ordered his troops to occupy the Saarland, hitherto under French control. The French army offered no resistance and, to compound matters, meekly packed up and left, offering the Reich its first bloodless victory!

This was worn by the motorised section of the Storm Troops and is, in all probability, a pre-1935 example as it does not have any RZM stamp on the reverse. These lapel badges would have been worn in civilian clothes, the uniform of this unit being the standard brown shirt of the SA.

This badge would have been worn on all NSDAP leaders caps, replacing the smaller eagle of the early war years. These caps usually had light brown cotton tops with a brown velvet band and a light brown vulcanite peak. In modified form, a similar cap was worn by AH himself, with a similar eagle!