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 in 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. They adopted the crash helmet that had been worn by the Motor-SA units as early as 1928, with the only modification to it being the insignia used. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A later version (with a mobile rather than a static swastika) of the first pattern insignia worn on the front of the leather or vulcan fibre crash helmet. It takes form of a stamped alloy eagle, whose out-stretched wings, slightly bent back to fit the contours of the helmet, have a span of approximately 5", and which clutches a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons. The eagle has a silver wash, which has taken on a nice patina with age, and its swastika had been painted black, 98% of which has been retained. To its hollow reverse are dual attachment prongs to each wingtip and behind the swastika. Verdigris may be seen to the reverse of the eagle’s breast. Unmarked. Of Note: This pattern was replaced in April of 1939 with the then standardized NSKK eagle.