History

The Schlageter Badge is named after Albert Leo Schlageter. He served as a lieutenant in the First World War and later in several Freikorps between 1919 and 1923. Schlageter participated in sabotage against the French occupation of the Ruhr area, was caught and executed. He became a martyr of the national socialist movement, even though he had had no ties to them prior to his death.

A former Freikorps comrade of Schlageter, Hans Oskar Hauenstein, established a Schlageter association and museum that became very popular among former Freikorps members.

The 1st pattern of the Schlageter Shield was instituted in 1933 as a membership badge and award. It is unknown who initiated this and who designed the badge.
The badge was awarded to any former Freikorps member who was able to give proof of serving and of being involved in fighting the enemy. The recipient's badge would feature a clasp for every location he had fought at.
Those that had been sentenced by a tribunal of war were awarded a badge without swords.

The 1st pattern shield was made of silvered brass and produced by Steinhauer & Lück for Stempel Baumann GmbH in Düsseldorf. It is in the form of a triangular shield with an indentation each at the top on the sides. It features a cross and the name "Schlageter" underneath, as well as two crossed swords underneath that. To the left and right of the cross are six spots per side for the clasps, the location being displayed on the left and the time of fighting on the right.

The following clasps could be worn:
BALTIKUM 1919/20
GRENZSCHUTZ 1919/20
SPARTAKUS 1919/23
OBERSCHLESIEN 1921
RHEIN-RUHR or RHEIN/RUHR 1923/24
KÄRNTEN 1919
NSDAP 1922/23

The 2nd pattern shield was introduced in 1934. The reason for the introduction of a new pattern is unknown. It was manufactured by the company of Paul Küst in Berlin. This pattern is oval and framed by laurel on the left and oak leaves on the right side, held together at the bottom by a bow. All other features of the badge remained the same.

The 3rd pattern was introduced in July of 1934. It was developed, because the 2nd pattern was too similar to official Prussian and Bavarian badges. The 3rd pattern is very similar to the 2nd pattern design, except that it is smaller and round rather than oval.

The Schlageter association and museum were dissolved in 1936 and the badge discontinued. Wear was forbidden, as it was not an officially recognised award.