German WWII HJ Membership Diamond-This is the iconic Hitler Youth membership pin. This is a painted example. The paint on this example does have some spotting so please be sure to look closely at the photos. The dark red paint is very good, but there are some slight spots on the white and the black of the swastika. This pin is marked on the reverse with the RZM motto and the M1/103 maker’s mark, which indicated this was produced by the firm Carl Poellath of Schrobenhausen. The pin setup on the back functions as intended. A very good painted example!
History: Hitler believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (Adolf Hitler Jugend-Hitler Youth) was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (AH Jugend) and girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel) were enlisted in the Party-run organization.
The first HJ membership badge was a round cap badge introduced in 1929. In 1933 a second pattern HJ membership badge was introduced and utilized throughout the Third Reich era. The second pattern membership badge was utilized in a metal and enamel form on the headgear and brown shirt uniform and in a cloth form on sports shirts etc. After the introduction of the second pattern badge in 1933 the first pattern badge was still worn as a "traditions" badge until the introduction of the Golden HJ Honor Badge in June 1934.