UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Bund der Saarpfalzvereine

Here are 3 examples of Bund der Saarpfalzvereine badge from my collection, the more often seen Saarabstimmung 17. 1. 1935 with the wreath plus two, much harder to find standard versions without wreath.

Many years ago when I first started out collecting, (& before the internet!) it was speculated amongs enamel collectors that the small version was just a wreathed badge which had been cut down to remove the wreath. This was common practice with some badge manufacturers to save on the cost of multiple dies & can often be seen with the Tiroler Kreisschiessen badges where 4 different grades were required.

However, when the reverse of the badges are examined it can be clearly seen that seperate dies were used due to the wording around the edges. The thickness of the wreath means that, if trimmed off, the wording would be lost or at least damaged.

If you have any examples, please post them.

Don

Don, a colorful badge that I have admired without a purchase. Only the one manufacturer known?

--dj--Joe

I’ve only ever seen them marked like this Joe.

Don

Don, as you well know different size badges are not unknown. For one example the N. S. Frauenschaft series. Disregarding the wreathed examples do you think the smaller non-border badges were just a marketing ploy with sales choice in mind?

--dj--Joe

I'd bet the smaller one was for a lesser ranking or less important person.

Joe,

It wouldn't surprise me There have been various reasons for different size membership badge, such as for males & females, different ranking within the organisation (as Dave suggests), and to differentiate between actual paid up members of a group & their supporters, as with the size differerence of Steirischer Heimatbund & Kärntner Volksbund badges.

As an added bit of info, the organisation lasted with a slight name change, into the 1950's at least, as shown by these badges offered by Hüsken....

Don