WWII GERMAN HITLER YOUTH - PROFICIENCY BADGE -
The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization created during Nazi Germany as a means to recruit and train the future
soldiers for the Third Reich. This section of the website provides a pictorial record of some of the items employed by
the organization.
Hitler-Jugend, abbreviated HJ, existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded
one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung (the SA).
The Hitler Youth proficiency badge was instituted in 1934, by Baldur Von Schirach. The purpose of the
badge was to reward Hitler Youth members who had improved their ideological and physical performance.
Each member of the organization was eligible for the award. A special qualification book was created
to record the individual's achievements to provide a measure to receive the badge.
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The badge consisted of a runic "T" around which was the inscription "For proficiency in the Hitler Youth",
written in sham runic script. The inscription circled the swastika.
There were three grades of proficiency badges awarded:
| CLASS |
DESCRIPTION |
| Iron |
Awarded to boys 15 years of age. Standard pattern painted black. |
| Bronze |
Awarded to 16 year old boys. Each badge was numbered in the back.
Through 1943, a total of 103,061 badges of this type were issued.
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| Silver |
This badge was awarded to 17 year old boys. It was also serial numbered.
throuh 1943, a total of 217,093 were given.
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The badge was issued with a document which was nicely decorated. A drawing of the badge imposed over a Hitler
Youth eagle is placed at top center. A simple line frame is applied to the perimeter.
It is important to know that the award documents may not have been standardized. It is possible to find documents
that do not match the design shown here.
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This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German badges and awards. Multiple
detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points
that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German badge worth?". A price
guide is included here to address this question. The value of the badges and awards is reviewed
over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German
badges in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military
antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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The manufacturer's markings are clearly visible in this example. An RZM marking is also stamped on the badge.
The pin was designed to hang the badge in a vertical position.
This award is currently being
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality
of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style
and materials employed in the manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in
order to be able to determine the authenticity of the badge.
If you have an interest is seeing other badges and awards of the Third Reich, you can do so by going
to our
WWII German Badges and Awards
identification guide. Where we cover Heer (Army), Navy (Kriegsmarine) and
Air Force (Luftwaffe) items.
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