DJ- Proficiency Badge in Black, #2440, RZM M1/15
Price: Sold
Description: Die stamped alloy construction badge with a black baked-on painted finish call the ‘Iron grade’, rarer than the higher silver grade. The badge is in the form of a vertical sigrune with a central circular panel with embossed pseudo-runic script, “Für Leistungen Im DJ”, (For Proficiency in the German Young People), encompassing a central canted swastika. The sigrune has a smooth surface while the central circular panel has a subtly pebbled background and the space between the swastikas arms is ribbed. S/N “2440” & maker code marked “M1/15”.
Background:The DJ, Deutsche Jungvolk, (German Youth), originated in Vienna Austria in 1929, and was eventually to become the young branch of the Hitler Youth, for boys from ten to fourteen years old. The sigrune first became associated with the DJ November 1929, the sixth anniversary of the failed Beer Hall Putsch, when the Gauleiter of Vienna presented them with their first official flag, consisting of a black field with a central silver sigrune. The sigrune was adopted as the official emblem of the DJ. In an attempt to promote physical fitness the Leistungsabzeichen des Deutschen Jungvolks, (Proficiency Badge of the German Young People), was introduced by Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach September 1935, for award to DJ members from the ages of twelve to fourteen years old, after successful completion of the prescribed tests. The testing for award of the badge included military-like training exercise and political indoctrination. The DJ Proficiency badge was discontinued in 1944. As with most awards a cloth version was also authorized for wear by qualifying personnel.
