BACKGROUND: The DRKB, Deutscher Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuserbund), (German National Association of Veterans, Kyffhäuser Association), was formed during WWI, and was based on the DKB, Deutscher Kriegerbund (German Veterans Association), originally formed after the war of 1870-71. The addition of "Kyffhäuser" in the associations name referred to the Kyffhäuser mountain where a large war memorial had been erected by ex-soldiers in 1896. The goal of the association was to preserve the morale and comradeship of former soldiers and to financially assist its members if required. In 1937 the DRKB introduced a flag bearers gorget, as an aid to rallying its personnel behind the flag bearer at parades and functions. On March 29TH 1938 the DRKB was renamed NS-RKB, Nationalsozialistische-Reichskriegerbund, (National Socialist-State Soldiers League), by the NSDAP and amalgamated with most of the earlier veterans associations into one national organization. After amalgamation into the NS-RKB the earlier DRKB gorget was replaced with a slightly altered new pattern.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Circa 1937, multi-piece, stamped, polished, natural aluminum construction, heart shaped gorget base with a separate fire gilted and multi-colored enamel work face plate. The gorget measures roughly, 3" tall from the bottom tip to a slight depression at the top center, and, 6 1/2" wide at its widest point. The outside edge has a raised, rolled back, border lip. The upper corners of the obverse each have a small, ornate, floral patterned, fire gilted alloy button for the suspension chain. The face plate features a central, raised, white enamel shield with a black silhouette of the Kyffhäuserbund monument, positioned above a red field with a white circular disk with a canted black swastika, all encompassed by an embossed, fire gilted oak-leaf wreath. Positioned above the central shield is a small, black enamel circular panel with nickel/silver plated numeral, "50", indicating fifty years service. The central shield and oak-leaf wreath are flanked by two, fire gilted, partially furled Imperial era flags to the left side and two partially furled DRKB, swastika flags to the right side. The flags are nicely detailed and all four have finials with the royal "FR", cypher indicating, Friedrich Rex, (King Friedrich), on the Imperial finials and swastikas on the DRKB finials. The enamel work and the fire gilted finish are all intact. The reverse of the gorget is missing its original wool backing, but is complete with its two chain suspension hangers to the upper corners. One of the suspension chain hangers has a deeply stamped numeral, "2". The gorget comes complete with its original, fire gilted stamped alloy suspension chain. The chain features 37 small square links attached together by 39 looped wire links. The square links each have an embossed design alternating with a swastika and the outline of an Iron Cross. The chain retains about 95% of its fire gilted finish with minimal age toning. Scarce early DRKB gorget in overall very good, clean condition.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $439.00