1937 D.R.L. Reichs Sports Badge Set
Price: $350
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: (Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen Abzeichen). A group of three Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (German League of the Reich for Physical Exercise) badges, including #1 Bronze grade award, constructed of bronze, maker marked on reverse: ‘Hensler Pforzheim – DRGM 35269’; #2 Silver grade award constructed of silvered magnetic metal, maker marked on reverse: ‘Wernstein, Jena -DRGM 35269’ and #3 Gold grade award constructed of gilded bronze, maker marked on reverse: ‘Wernstein, Jena -DRGM 35269’. Each with a vertical wide pinback assembly and measuring 39 mm (w) x 49 mm (h); all in very fine condition.
Background: The DRL Sport Badge was an interesting decoration that underwent a number of changes during the Third Reich, and had roots all the way back to the 1912 Olympics. During the Weimar Republic, the German national sport award was issued by the Deutsche Reichsausschuss für Leibesübungen, and bore the initials “DRA.” Starting in 1935, the award was recognized as a national level decoration, issued by the Deutsche Reichsausschuß für Leibesübungen, with the initials “DRL” and a swastika. The designation of this award was the Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen, and later the Deutsche Reichsauszeichnung für Leibesübungen. The decoration was awarded in three grades. and reflected proficiency in sports and participation in official training and competitions. During wartime, changes were made to the award to make getting and keeping the award easier for soldiers in front line service. This included new criteria and a new grade of the award introduced in 1942 for war disabled men. Issue of the sports badges ceased in 1944.
