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07-11-2014 05:16 PM
# ADS
Circuit advertisement
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Like other uniformed services, the Kampfgruppen had their own Bestenabzeichen.
The badge was instituted in 1966. Originally, it came in one class only. However, it could be awarded multiple times; as with the first model of the Kampfgruppen shooting badge, the number of awards was identified by a small oval insert bearing a Roman numeral.
In 1975, the numbered inserts were abolished and two classes added: The original Bestenabzeichen now became the silver class and was supplemented by a lower (bronze) and a higher (gold) class.
In 1984, the bronze and silver classes were abolished, and the badge was now awarded in one class (gold) only. It was also slightly re-designed with a somewhat beefier appearance and the inclusion of the Kampfgruppen logo on the red flag.
Here are examples for the three models of this badge. Top: First model with number "I" insert, center group: second model in bronze, silver and gold, bottom: third and final model.
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and here I thought I had them all, thank you. I need to add the first award to the list to find
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For a change, here's a political award:
The Ehrennadel der Sozialistischen Einheitspartei Deutschlands [Honor Pin of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany]. It was awarded as the Ehrennadel für 40-jährige Mitgliedschaft in Arbeiterparteien [Honor Pin for 40 years of Membership in Workers' Parties] and as the Ehrennadel für 50-jährige Mitgliedschaft in Arbeiterparteien [Honor Pin for 50 years of Membership in Workers' Parties].
Membership in the SED as well as in Germany's earlier (pre-Third Reich) workers' parties - the SPD, USPD, KPD and the Spartakusbund - was recognized.
The 40-year pin was first awarded in 1954. It is in the shape of a red banner. On it, above the words "SOZIALISTISCHE EINHEITSPARTEI DEUTSCHLANDS" is a laurel wreath with (initially) the portraits of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin. This version was awarded until 1961, when awards were temporarily discontinued. In 1965, awards resumed with Stalin now omitted from the design. Initially, the badge measaured 47.5 mm diagonally; following the re-design, it was reduced in size to 42.5 mm diagonally. Early versions are enamelled, on later ones, a plastic cover was used for the red banner.
The 50-year pin was first awarded in 1962. A circular pin featuring a red banner, a laurel branch and the words "SOZIALISTISCHE EINHEITSPARTEI DEUTSCHLANDS" and the number "50", its first model measured 25 mm in diameter; the second model (after 1970) 23.5 mm.
Below are an early and late model of the 40-year pin (top) and the second model of the 50-year pin (bottom):
Last edited by HPL2008; 05-04-2017 at 11:37 PM.
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