It's post-WW I. This is a sleeve patch for the Landesverband Groß-Hessen [State Association Greater Hesse] of the Stahlhelmbund.
So absolutely nothing to do w/ WWI? I understand it's a post WWI patch. The listing on John Telesmanich said it was for WWI vets of Landesverband Gross-Hessen. I have absolutely zero knowledge of any of that, I just scooped up the insignia because it looked neat & wasn't expensive. I apologize for my ignorance!
So i'm assuming it was made between the end of WWI & the start of Hitler's reign?
The Stahlhelmbund was founded in December 1918 and disbanded in November 1935, so we can broadly date the patch to that time period.
I don't think I have any data on when these sleeve badges were introduced or when that particular LV was formed, which would narrow down the timeframe a bit more. (Insignia as well as organizational structure changed over the years.)
Initially, the Stahlhelmbund consisted exlusively of WW I vets, but it started to accept men and youths without prior military service in 1924. (Partly to provide a form of paramilitary training and education to young men in a time period without conscription and partly simply to increase its size and influence and ensure its long-term existence.) So there is an indirect WW I connection: Without WW I, the SHB would never have existed.
For more info on the organisation's uniforms and insignia, have a look at these links:
Stahlhelm - Bund der Frontsoldaten / system of shoulder-belts and special insignia
Der Stahlhelm Photo Reference Thread
Antique Photos - Stahlhelmbund Collar Insignia
Antique Photos - Sleeve Badges of Der Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten, 1925-1932
Antique Photos - Stahlhelm Badges
Last edited by HPL2008; 09-09-2019 at 08:34 AM.
Well, we're lucky. Wim Saris - who is an expert on the SHB and has an extensive archive on this organisation - contacted me with additional info:
The sleeve badges as such were introduced in 1925/26. The LV Groß-Hessen was raised in 1929 when the LV Hessen-Südwestfalen was renamed. The LV was then renamed LV Hessen on 26 November 1933.
So, the patch is from 1929 - 1933.
Good to hear Wim is still taking an interest in the forum, even if in invisible visits.
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