Brunswick Rally Badge, also known as the Badge of the SA Rally at Brunswick 1931 (Abzeichen des SA - Treffens Braunschweig 1931), was the third badge recognized as a national award of the NSDAP (Nazi Party).
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The rally
The event itself was a joint rally of Sturmabteilung (SA) and Schutzstaffel (SS) men put on to show both strength in strife-weary Germany and loyalty to their leader, Adolf Hitler. This was before Hitler came to national power as Chancellor of Germany in January, 1933. Over 100,000 men attended the (Braunschweig) Brunswick rally hosted by SA-Gruppe Nord under the leadership of then SA-Gruppenführer Viktor Lutze. At the rally, the SA assured Hitler of their loyalty and Hitler in turn increased the size of the SA with the creation of 24 new Standarten (regiment-sized formations). Several years later in 1934, Hitler rewarded Lutze's loyalty by appointing him the commander of the SA succeeding Ernst Röhm as Stabschef.
The badge
The badge was to commemorate the event that took place, and to honor the participants of the mass rally. To be able to obtain by purchase and wear the badge, the Party member had to have officially attended the rally. The badge could only be worn on the left breast side of a uniform. It was made in two types; Pattern 1: measured 37mm wide by 50mm high; it had the Party eagle at the top and an oak leaf wreath around the outside rim. At the bottom of the oak leaf wreath was a bow. Inside the wreath was inscribed, SA-Treffen Braunschweig 17./18. Oktober 1931. The second pattern measured 37mm wide by 52mm high but otherwise had the same basic design as the first pattern. Some early badges were stamped out of tin and were silver in color. Later ones were stamped with a solid back and were grey in color.
In November 1936, Hitler gave new "orders" for the "Orders and Awards" of the Third Reich. The top NSDAP awards were listed in this order: 1. Coburg Badge; 2. Nuremberg (Nürnberg) Party Badge of 1929; 3. SA Rally Badge at Brunswick 1931; 4. Golden Party Badge; 5. Blood Order (Blutorden); followed by the Gau badges and the Golden HJ Badge.