BACKGROUND: NS-Hago, the "National Sozialist Handwerks, Handels und Gewerbe Organisierung" (National Socialist Handicraft, Commerce and Industry Organization), was created in 1933 out of the earlier "Kampfbund des Gewerblichen Mittlestandes" (Fight[ing]-league of-the Industrial Middle-classes). In 1934 it fell under DAF, "Deutsche Arbeitsfront" (German Labor-front), control. In 1935 all NSBO, "Nationalsozialische Betriebszellen Organisierung" (National Socialist Trade-cells Organization), members skilled in crafts and trades became members of NS-Hago. It was later eclipsed by the DAF’s GHG, "Gesamtverband des deutschen Handwerks, Handels und Gewerbes" (Total-association of-the german Handicrafts, Commerce and Industry), which became the RDHdw, "Reichsstand des deutschen Handwerks" (National-class of-the german Handicrafts).

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: An alloy lapel pin in the form of the NS-Hago symbol of a vertical hammer with a black enameled, static swastika to its head, and wings with a span of 7/8" extending from its handle. A 2" long, vertical, rifled stick-pin is soldered to the center of its solid reverse, above which is stamped an RZM, "Reichszeugmeisterei" (National-material-control-office), logo, with "Ges. Gesch.," for "Gesetzlich Geschützt" (By-law Protected), to its left and the number "5" to its right. The numerical designation may indicate the manufacturer as being Walter Simon of Dresden. Light verdigris may be seen to the rifling on the pin and to the reverse of the wings, and light age soiling is evident throughout.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $29.00