History

The uniforms, headgear, and insignia of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP) went through several design changes from 1933 until the end of the Second World War. Dr. Ley, originally the Gauleiter of Rheinland and later promoted to the position of chief of staff of Party Organization and Reich Organization Leader, was largely responsible for the NSDAP rank system and uniforms.

The standardized production and circulation of all NSDAP uniform garments, headgear, and insignia were overseen by the National Material Control Office (RZM or Reichszeugmeisterei). The RZM was created in July 1934, and it was located in Munich. From 1935 onward, all NSDAP uniform garments and insignia were legally required to feature an RZM control mark or tag, as well as a number mark on metal insignia or belt buckles. These marks indicate the authenticity of the object, the type of insignia or garment, and identify the manufacturer.

The early cockades used on NSDAP headgear were generally used together with the M29 eagle emblem, so the cockade will be referred to as M29 as well. The M29 cockade presents an outer ring in black and a raised inner ring in silver with a hole in the centre, through which a red inner part is visible. In some cases, the whole is partially filled by a silver-coloured swastika.

The next cockade model was introduced in January of 1934. The M34 cockade presents an outer ring in red and a raised inner ring in silver with a black swastika in the centre. The swastika part was discontinued in 1942, however, since old stock was to be used up, cockades featuring swastikas could be encountered even after this date.

For caps of higher leaders, the cockade was but a part of an overall larger insignia that also featured an oak leaf wreath. It is made of eight oak leaves, four on each side, held together below the cockade by a stylised cord. The wreath usually slightly curves to fit the curving of the cap. It generally measures 115x44mm and is often made of cupal, however, gilded aluminum was also used. The wreath also exists in an embroidered version, which, if worn, was paired with an embroidered gilt eagle emblem.