Golden Party Badge of the NSDAP

Institution, Awarding & Wear

• Institution: October 1933 as a special party distinction.
• Award groups:
  • Early members with low membership numbers (early joining dates) and uninterrupted service.
  • Special awards for exceptional merit – independent of membership number.
• Wear: Worn instead of the regular party badge as the official lapel badge for entitled recipients.

Versions & Dimensions

• Small (approx. 24 mm): slimmer oak-leaf wreath.
• Large (approx. 30 mm): wider wreath with more pronounced relief.
• Construction: Gilded/mercury-gilded wreath, enameled medallion (red/white/black) with black swastika (period symbol), hinged pin on reverse.

Makers & Markings

• Typical maker: Deschler & Sohn, Munich; other Munich party suppliers exist. Pin systems vary by batch.
• Reverse engravings: Many recipients (especially early members) bear an engraved membership number. Engraving style, depth and typography are critical authenticity cues.
• Documents & cases: Original award documents and cases significantly strengthen provenance and value.

Authenticity – Key Checks

• Enamel: Deep, glassy, clean color separation; avoid “painted” look.
• Wreath: Sharp oak-leaf relief; period gilding with age-appropriate tone (not freshly polished brass-yellow).
• Engraving: Period hand-engraving of the number where present; avoid modern laser/dot engraving styles.
• Pin assembly: Period hinge/catch construction with clean solder; modern safety catches are red flags.
• Provenance: Wear photos, documents, and period cases are strong authenticity indicators.

Condition & Market

• Condition: Enamel cracks, losses, over-polished wreaths or replaced pins reduce value.
• Documented pieces: Badges with coherent documentation and matching numbers fetch top results.
• Scarce variants: Uncommon pin set-ups or cases are desirable but must be vetted carefully.