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.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A 1 13/16" diameter alloy award, in what appears to be tombac, with a bronze wash and enamel detailing. Its raised center is 1 1/2" in diameter, in the form of a white enamel target with concentric rings, above whose black center is the date "1943." A stylized eagle, with "NSKK" scrolled over its head and outstretched wings, and which grasps a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons, is superimposed over the lower half of the target. Embossed along the border surrounding the target is "K.K. Gewehr" (Small Caliber ("Klein Kaliber") Rifle), and "Motorgruppe Oberdonau" (Motor-group "Oberdonau," which was the twenty-second "Gau" (province or administrative region) of Greater-Germany). To its otherwise featureless reverse is the base for where a horizontal pin-back device had been crimped. The reverse retains the majority of its original wash, with light surface scratching. The obverse, however, appears to retain only traces of it, although it is difficult to determine how much is age-darkened wash or wear to the base alloy. All of its enamel work is intact.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $176.00