Victors Badge in the National Trade Competition 1939 by G. Brehmer Markneukirchen

The Reichsberufswettkampf (RBW) was a nationwide vocational competition established in 1934 to promote young professionals’ skills and discipline. It was organized by the German Labour Front (DAF) and the Hitler Youth to combine craftsmanship with ideological training.

Winners advanced through several stages – from district to regional (Gau) and finally to national (Reich) level. The badge shown here designates a Gau Winner of 1939, representing the highest regional achievement. It was die-struck from quality alloy metal and richly silver-plated.

The artistic design was created by Professor Richard Klein (Munich), who also designed numerous other German awards of the period. Its central motif shows a laurel-wreathed swastika flanked by the year numerals “19” and “39”.

The manufacturer G. Brehmer Markneukirchen ranked among the leading medal and badge producers of the era, noted for exceptionally sharp die striking, even silver plating, and overall high production quality. Original Brehmer examples from 1939 are today highly sought after by collectors.