BACKGROUND: The development of the NSKK, "National Sozialistisches Kraftfahr Korps" (National Socialist Motor Corps), can be traced back to 1923 when the SA introduced a "Kraftfahr Abteilung" (Motor Section) to transport personnel as required. In 1928 the SA Motor section was expanded to "Kraftfahrstaffeln" (Motor-squadrons). In an attempt to create a national motor corps, the NSAK, "National Sozialistisches Automobil Korps" (National Socialist Automobile Corps), was formed in April of 1930 as an NSDAP auxiliary organization, subordinate to the SA. In early 1931 Adolf Hühnlein was appointed as Chief of the NSAK and proposed a name change to NSKK, which was officially accepted in April of 1931. Shortly after the purge of the SA during the "Night of the Long Knives," in June of 1934, the NSKK was promoted to an official NSDAP organization, given independent status within the party, and absorbed the SA Motor Squadron’s personnel.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A triangular metal sign, 29 7/8" across with an 18 3/4" tall "hoist" edge, and approximately 5/8" thick. A 1 3/8" x 15 3/4" metal bar, with two mounting perforations to it, is attached to the sign’s tall edge by two extensions, each fixed by nut and bolt fasteners. Painted to each of its red-brown colored faces is a 9 1/4" diameter white disk, within which is a grey and black spread-winged eagle with a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons. The disk is edged in black, and a grey and black banner, with "N.S.K.K." to it, extends beyond the disk and arches above the eagle. To the right of this on one face, and to the left to the other, is painted, in black, "12/M153." The "M153" refers to the one-hundred and fifty-third "Motorstandarte" (Regiment), and the "12" to its twelfth "Staffel" (Squadron). The sign is moderately worn to one face, with its paint scarred and cracked, and heavily worn to its other face, with its remaining paint mostly obscured by surface spotting. The attached bar is also heavily worn, and the hollow sign is moderately warped, although structurally intact.

GRADE **1/2                             PRICE $468.00