BACKGROUND: On reaching the minimum age of eighteen any racially acceptable, physically fit, German male could volunteer for service with the SS. If found suitable the individual would be accepted as a SS-Bewerber, (SS-Applicant). On the first Reichsparteitag, (National Party {NSDAP} Day), held annually in September, following the applicants acceptance he would be approved as a SS-Anwärter, (SS-Candidate), and issued his SS-Ausweis, (SS-Identification Card). Following a period of probation and compulsory Reichsarbeitsdienst, (National Labor Service), and Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), service obligations the SS-Anwärter would return to the SS and be inducted as an SS-Mann on the following November 9^TH, the anniversary of the failed Beer Hall Putsch. The SS-Ausweis underwent minor modifications prior to the outbreak of WWII.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early pattern SS members identification card. The roughly, 4 5/8" x 3 1/2", light weight, tan cardstock construction identification card features black printed Gothic script and typed, handwritten and inkstamped particulars. The background field of the card features a subdued, printed, repeating national eagle and swastika pattern. The printed script to the obverse of the card includes the heading, "Schutzstaffeln der N.S.D.A.P"., followed by, "SS=Ausweis Nr.", (SS=Identification Card number), with the green inkstamped membership number, "130 609". The obverse also has a lined space designed to enter the recipients NSDAP membership number but it has been left blank. The typed and printed script to the obverse of the card indicates the recipient was an, "SS-Mann", serving with, "Mo3/12", indicating the 3^RD Stürme/Motorized Standarte 12, (3^RD Company/12^TH Motorized Regiment). The obverse also has a photograph of the recipient wearing civilian clothing which has a faint, overlapping embossed seal. The reverse of the card has printed and typed script which includes the recipient’s birth date and location, "13. XII. 1898 Kamionke, Krs.Strasburg/Wpr", and the issue date of the card, "19. Jan. 1934", with the authorizing, inkstamped, facsimile, signature of Reichsführer-SS, "H. Himmler", the embossed Reichsführer-SS seal, the Standarte’s inkstamp and the authorizing signature of a "SS-Standartenführer". The reverse of the card also has a blue postage style stamp with black printed script that indicates the card was valid for "April/Juni 1934". The reverse of the card also has additional black printed Gothic script that includes, "Ausweis nur gültig mit zeitlich richtiger Beglaubigungsmarke", (Identification card only valid with the correct period certification stamp). The card is in overall very good condition with minor age toning.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $585.00