UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SA & NSKK Dagger Forum RZM Codes

Around 1925, Adolf Hitler ordered the wearing of brown shirts by members of the newly established NSDAP. Brown caps and badges were added to the uniform in 1927. These items could only be purchased from the SA-Wirtschaftsstelle. To supply an increasing number of members, in 1928 Hitler instructed that a Zeugmeisterei be established in Munich to be responsible for the procurement and supply of uniforms and equipment for members of Nazi organizations. As membership increased, further Zeugmeistereien were established in other cities, and the Munich office was renamed the Reichszeugmeisterei to identify it as the central procurement office.

In 1930 the Zeugmeistereien were subordinated to Franz Xaver Schwarz in his position as Reichsschatzmeister of the NSDAP. When the Heimt�ckegesetz Act of 1934 secured exclusive rights to license NSDAP material, the Reichszeugmeisterei became the main office of the Beschaffungsamt der NSDAP. This office was responsible for the procurement of all party uniforms and equipment. The RZM office published design, manufacturing and quality standards, and an authorized colour chart for cloth items. An RZM licence was required for all manufacturers of NSDAP uniforms and equipment. By mid 1934, there were about 15,000 licensed manufacturing factories and craft producers, 1,500 tradesmen, 75,000 master tailors and 15,000 "brown shops" in the German Reich. All pieces of equipment had to be labelled with a visible RZM copyright symbol and RZM number that contained codes for the material, producer, and year of production.

Between 1934 and 1938, 82 numbers had been issued for dagger manufacturers. In an updated list published in early 1938, 48 manufacturers were still active. All others had their RZM License withdrawn. Still active were: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 52, 55, 57, 59, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75, 77, 80, 81, and 82.

The numbers 83 through 118 were issued between June 1938 and March 1939. Also between 1938 and 1942, the RZM License were withdrawn from the following: 10, 24, 26, 39, 69, 75, 77, 81, 82, 87, 90, 96, 100, 105, 106, 113, and 116.

Typical RZM code examples for each manufacturer can be seen HERE!

SA Transitional RZM codes can be seen HERE!

And SS RZM codes can be seen HERE!