Original German NSDAP SA/SS Sports Badge In GOLD SA-Sportabzeichen by Petz & Lorenz from Rechenbach
SKU: 895
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer: Petz & Lorenz from Rechenbach
Size / Dimensions: Approximately 48 mm x 37 mm
Materials / Construction: Tombac
Condition: Excellent
Price: $150.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: PS30
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
This is an Original German Third Reich SA Sports Badge in Gold (SA-Sportabzeichen in Gold) made by Petz & Lorenz of Reichenbach in excellent condition. A beautiful example of the highest grade of the well-known award for physical proficiency of the SA.
Historical Background
The SA-Sportabzeichen, or SA Sports Badge, was instituted on November 28, 1933, by SA Chief of Staff Ernst Röhm. The award was meant to encourage physical fitness, athletic prowess, and above all endurance and physical ability of a sort that would make the bearer a good soldier as a member of a Sturmabteilung (SA) or as a member of the National-sozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (NSRL). This award was given not only to the members of the SA but to all persons participating in physical sports during the Third Reich. In addition to physical exercise, field sports and sports with a military slant were also tested. When awarding the lower classes of this award the same tests would have been required of the recipient to have attained the award in the first place. The wearer would have to go through the various physical tests and demonstrations once again in order to classify for the higher award. The award was still being given out in 1939. In January of that year, it was redesignated the SA-Wehrabzeichen and the award criteria were changed to place greater emphasis on physical training for defense. Gold Grade The Gold award is so much more desirable than all the Bronze award variants combined! The badge is an openwork medal of vertical Roman sword above a swastika, surrounded by an oval wreath of interconnected oak-leaves and acorns. This is one of the most recognized awards for physical proficiency that was awarded to political members, as well as members of the SA and even the general population of Germany. This example retains its attractive gold colored finish and is quite impressive in appearance and certainly proves its Gold status.
Petz & Lorenz – Reichenbach A point of particular interest to collectors for this award is the manufacturer’s mark: PETZ u. LORENZ REICHENBACH Petz & Lorenz of Reichenbach: This maker is well documented to have produced a number of SA badges, as well as several other sports badges of German organizations. A Gold third pattern SA Sports Badge of this type would be awarded with the following maker mark: PETZ u. LORENZ / REICHENBACH. I am unable to verify whether this is a particular version of the badge, but it does have an owners inscription on the back of the badge. “EIGENTUM DER OBERSTEN SA-FÜHRUNG” This can be linked to the reverse inscription “EIGENTUM DER OBERSTEN SA-FÜHRUNG”. Third pattern Gold badges for SA Sports Badge competitions by Petz & Lorenz are often die-struck, openwork badges with semi-hollow backs and vertically mounted pin-attachment.
Construction & Design
The obverse of this award has very clear detail of all the components of this item. The upright sword is the main item of this award. In the center of the award, the swastika is surrounded by an open oak-leaf wreath. The reverse of the badge is typical for a die-struck item with clear reliefs of the detail of the mark. In the center of the reverse is the manufacturer’s mark of the Reichenbach-based manufacturer Petz & Lorenz. All parts of the pin, hinge and catch assembly are present on this badge. A reference example of the Third pattern gold sport badge of the SA would be approximately 58mm high and 46mm wide.
Condition
The badge is in excellent condition, all details like the sword, the oak-leaf wreath and the emblem in the center are well defined and very nice to look at. The Gold finish to the badge is also very impressive and only shows normal signs of age and wear. On the reverse side of the badge there are also signs of age and wear, but the most important information for collectors, the maker’s mark, is well preserved. The badge still has a very impressive Gold finish to it, only showing a bit of aging and wear to the surface of the badge as you would expect from a 70+ year old item. The reverse of the badge has the same amount of detailed engravings as the obverse, a very good maker’s mark of Petz & Lorenz, Reichenbach and a very good size of rear area behind the badge as well. Note that as with all items from the Third Reich, the SA Sports Badge can be displayed in conjunction with other items of a political, paramilitary or award nature relating to the NSDAP.
Collector Significance
Original SA Sports Badges are one of the collection fields for Third Reich militaria with established collector interest. Here interests are divided over issues of the award as well as variations in grade, maker, and age. Hence this type of badge is also an attractive area for specialized collectors of German awards. These highest-grade awards in excellent condition are always in high demand. Gold awarded third pattern badges of the very finest period maker such as Petz & Lorenz of Reichenbach are true treasures for any serious collector of awards of the NSDAP, SA, political groups and other Third Reich paramilitary groups. Original WWII / Third Reich Period German SA Sports Badge in Gold – SA-Sportabzeichen – Manufactured by Petz & Lorenz, Reichenbach – Excellent Condition.
