History

The Guard Battalion Bergerhoff Badge was founded and designed by Oberleutnant Karl Bergerhoff to reward members of the Selbstschutz Battalion Bergerhoff who displayed valour in fighting the enemy. The badge was instituted on May 21, 1921 and manufactured by Hch Timm, Berlin.

To be eligible for this award, the recipient had to have fought in at least one battle or served for at least six months. The badge was worn on the left breast.

The badge is hollow-stamped and gilded. The round centre features the black enamelled inscription "O.F.K. SCHWARZE SCHAR 1921". "O.F.K." stands for "Oberschlesisches Freiwilligen-Korps" (Upper Silesian Volunteer Corps), "Schwarze Schar" (Black Band) was the battalion's nickname. The centre is surrounded by a gilt laurel wreath. There are four ribbons around the wreath and one holding it together at the bottom. They are in gold and silver colours, reminiscent of the Silesian colours, yellow and white. At the top is a steel helmet with two crossed bayonets below, all silvered.