Germany, Nsdap. The Awards, Badges, & Membership Documents Of Wilhelm Bahr And His Paramilitary Career

eMedals is excited to offer an exquisite grouping of awards, badges, and official family and membership documents of Wilhelm Bahr. Wilhelm Bahr was born on February 12, 1904 in Lüchow, Germany, to his father Wilhelm Friedrich Bahr, a tax overseer, and his mother, Louise Christine Bahr (maiden name Hartwig). He was raised in Lüchow and worked there as a Postal Assistant during his early adulthood. In 1927, Wilhelm joined the HJ (Hitler Jugend/Hitler Youth) as Member # 68171, and later the NSDAP (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei/National Socialist German Worker’s Party) on May 1,1928. He also joined the SA (Sturmabteilung/Storm Troopers) in 1931, the NSV (Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt/National Socialist People’s Welfare) on November 1, 1935, and the NSKK (Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps/National Socialist Motor Corps) on October 17, 1936, where he had a successful paramilitary career until February 3, 1940, when he was transferred - presumably to enter military service.

As a faithful member of the NSDAP, Bahr was also awarded a matching numbered set of Golden NSDAP Honour Badges with a matching award document, consisting of 1) A large golden NSDAP Honour badge (originally worn with a service uniform); in gilded bronze and black, white, and lively red enamels; party member number stamped “88060”, “Ges. Gesch.”, and although it is not maker marked, these large badges were solely produced by Joseph Fuess and Deschler & Sohn; the obverse with a central white medallion with a rotated black enamel swastika in the centre, gilt border,with red enamel ring inscribed in gilt with “National-Sozialistische-D.A.P”, surrounded by a thin white enamel ring, and a gilt oak leaf wreath on the outer edge; measuring 29 mm in diameter; with matching award document stating that the award was presented to Wilhelm Gustav Bahr (NSDAP Member # 88060) on February 1, 1934, signed by the Reichsschatzmeister (Reich Treasurer) of the NSDAP. The award is well preserved but shows moderate contact marks on the surface of the enamel, but is nearly completely free of cracks or chips. The gilt on the surrounding wreath has rubbed off to some extent from wear. 2) A small golden NSDAP Honour Badge (originally worn with civilian clothes); in gilded tombac and black, white, and red enamels; party member number stamped “88060”, otherwise unmarked (produced by either Joseph Fuess or Deschler & Sohn); visually the same as above; measuring 23 mm in diameter. The award is in extremely fine condition with only minor contact marks and scratches to the enamel, without hairline cracks or chips, and nearly without wear to the gilt. 3) An additional small NSDAP Honour Badge, private purchase notably by the missing outer white enamel ring; in gilded tombac and black, white, and red enamels; party member number stamped “88060”, maker marked “Joseph Fuess, München” on reverse; visually the same as above but without outer white enamel ring; measuring 24 mm in diameter.  The award is in near extremely fine condition with some contact marks and light wear to the gilt, but without hairline cracks or chips.

Wilhelm Bahr was also awarded a Bronze SA Sports Badge with matching miniature stickpin and custom wooden case of issue; 1) Bronze Grade SA Sports Badge;  in bronze; number stamped “531935”, “Eigentum D.S.A Sportabz. - Hauptstelle” and maker marked “E. Schneider, Lüdenscheid” on reverse; measuring 58 mm x 45 mm; original vertical pinback; surface wear, but otherwise better than very fine condition. 2) A Miniature Bronze Grade SA Stick Pin; in bronze; 50 mm pin; marked “6” on reverse; measuring 13 mm x 16 mm; near extremely fine condition. Case of issue; in solid wood construction; metal hinges; red felt inserts; button closure nonfunctional; otherwise very fine condition. 3) An RZM Marked Golden HJ Badge; in gilded bronze red, white and pebbled red enamels; numbered “97419”, “Ges.Gesch”, and maker marked “RZM M1/78” (Paulmann & Crone, Lüdenscheid) on reverse; vertical pinback modified to be worn like a stick pin; contact marks, but otherwise in better than very fine condition.

One of the earliest records of Wilhelm Bahr’s paramilitary career is an HJ award document for the HJ Ehrenzeichen, with a facsimile of the Reichsjugendführer/Reichs Youth Leader Baldur von Schirach. The document measures 120 mm x 88 mm, and lists “68171” as the number of the award. The document rates as near extremely fine, with only light creasing along the edges of the paper, but with the ink remaining largely un-faded and clearly legible.

Included is also a wonderfully preserved and very thorough Table of Ancestry/Ahnentafel (zum Nachweis der arischen Abstammung/as proof of Aryan origin) of Wilhelm Bahr. The document is in Wilhelm Bahr’s name, who resided in Gau Pommern in Kreis Köslin (Germany) at the time when the document was made. The document measures approximately 565 mm x 284 mm, and lists in detail, the first name, last name, date of birth, place of birth, date of marriage, and date of death of his parents, great parents (from his father’s and mother’s side), and his great grandparents (also from his father’s and mother’s side), dating back four entire generations. The Ahnentafel is in extremely fine condition, with neat folds, neat German handwritten script, and very well preserved crisp black ink.

As was necessary, according to Third Reich regulation, all claims made in the Ahnentafel needed to be supported by an equally important collection of church documents, signed by the parish leader, and stamped/signed by an official of the Surveying Office of the Reich.

The collection of matching official supporting documents (Bescheinigung/Certificates) in this group to confirm claims made on the Ahnentafel measures 298 mm x 214 mm, and spans a total of twenty nine pages. The collection of documents includes Wilhelm Bahr’s birth certificate, a table of contents, marriage certificate, and official records of his family’s first names, last names, dates/places of birth, dates of marriage, and dates of death, of his parents, great parents, and great grandparents. Each record is signed and stamped to verify that the documents are valid and legitimate, and that the cost of 0.60 Reichsmarks (60 Reichspfennig) was paid. The binder of documents rates as near mint, as the ink of the type-machined and hand written records, as well as the ink of the official Surveying Office are all very well preserved.

Wilhelm Bahr enjoyed paramilitary success in the NSKK, and according to the Membership booklet included in this document grouping, measuring 134 mm x 95 mm, with a total of 22 pages, Bahr joined the NSKK in 17.10.1936 as a Obertruppführer. The booklet includes a stamped photograph of Wilhelm Bahr, eye colour, hair colour, date of birth, as well as other memberships, such as the NSDAP, HJ, and NSV, and the dates of when he joined. It also includes a page of postage stamps to indicate that Bahr has paid his monthly membership fees of 0.50 Reichsmarks (50 Reichspfennig) between January 1938 and Mai 1939. Most importantly, the booklet lists all promotions from Obertruppenführer (17.10.1936) to Hauptsturmführer (09.11.1941). Page ten lists an entry for Wilhelm Bahr’s cancellation of membership on 03.02.40, giving “transfer” as the reason of cancellation. It is unclear if he was transferred to another unit, or if he was transferred and drafted into the Wehrmacht. This document appears in extremely fine condition although it is evident that, as a very active member of the NSKK, the booklet was well-used during its time.

Bahr was also a member of the NSV and possessed a Membership booklet, measuring 147 mm x 105 mm, with a total of 32 pages, also included in this document grouping. It lists his Membership Number (#4,800,715), day of application to the NSV (Sept 13, 1935), day of registration (November 1, 1935), as well as his first and last names, occupation, address, and his date/place of birth. It also features a photograph of Wilhelm Bahr, officially stamped, and with the signature of the Ortsgruppenmeister/District Overseer below the photograph. The remaining pages, intended to list all donations made, are blank. This is not unusual, as many German citizens often simply registered with the NSV to avoid shaming, or not being able to join Third Reich paramilitary organisations, since not donating was often viewed as neglecting the cause of the NSDAP.

As a longtime member of the SA and the NSDAP, Wilhelm Bar was also awarded the following awards for faithful service - An SA Long Service Award Medal Bar, German style, with functional pinback, consisting of 1) An SA Long Service Award for 15 Years Service; maltese cross in silvered bronze and stunning dark blue enamels; enameled arms of the cross with a central enamel medallion with a large centrally positioned oak leaf wreath with an SA eagle atop, clutching a smaller wreath with a swastika inside; the reverse with another large centrally positioned oak leaf wreath inscribed in four rows “Treue für Führer und Volk/Loyalty to the Führer and the People”; measuring 42 mm x 42 mm; with matching award document stating that the award was presented to Wilhelm Bahr on January 30, 1942, signed and stamped by the Kreisleiter (District Chief) of the SA on February 24, 1942. The award is extremely well preserved and shows only some signs of age and wear - there are contact marks and some wear to the silver wash, but the enamel is bright, unfaded, and unmarked, on a clean and original ribbon. The award document is equally well preserved with the ink on the document crisp and very legible. 2) An SA Long Service Award for 10 Years Service; maltese cross in bronzed zinc; visually the same as above, but crafted out of a singular solid piece; measuring 42 mm x 42 mm; with matching award document stating that the award was presented to Wilhelm Bahr on January 30, 1942; signed and stamped by the Kreisleiter (District Chief) of the SA on February 24, 1942. The award is exceptionally well preserved with nearly no bronze wear, and only minimal contact marks, on a clean and original ribbon. The award document is equally well preserved with the ink on the document crisp and very legible.

Finally, also included is a lot of four photographs and postcards; 1) A photograph with a postcard reverse, depicting Wilhelm Bahr on the right in full NSKK uniform, with collar tabs depicting the rank of Obersturmführer, with his SA awards medal bar consisting of the 10 and 15 year long service awards, his NSDAP Golden Honour Badge, HJ Honour Badge, and SA Bronze Sports Badge, alongside his wife on the left; measuring 142 mm x 100 mm. 2) A photograph with a postcard reverse, depicting Wilhelm Bahr in a full Wehrmacht dress uniform, with his NSDAP Golden Honour Badge and SA Bronze Grade Sports Badge; measuring 138 mm x 89 mm. 3) A photograph of HJ boys standing by the HJ flag as it is being raised; measuring 177 mm x 127 mm. 4) A photograph with postcard reverse, of girls and older women saluting the Führer as the German flag is being raised; measuring 132 mm x 86 mm. All photographs are in extremely fine condition, without creases, marks, or smudges of any kind.