NS-Studentenbund Badge

The NS-Studentenbund badge served as the official emblem of the National Socialist German Students’ League (NSDStB), the student organization of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. Established in the 1920s and fully integrated into the state system after 1933, the NS-Studentenbund was responsible for supervising and reshaping university life in accordance with National Socialist ideology.

The badge features a distinctive diamond shape, deliberately chosen to identify the academic sphere and differentiate it from other party organizations. At its center is a black enamel swastika, the primary symbol of National Socialism, surrounded by red and white enamel fields between the arms. These colors echo both German national symbolism and the visual language employed throughout official party insignia.

The reverse construction consists of a soldered pin with a reinforcing backing plate, typical of badges intended for regular wear on civilian jackets or student uniforms. The presence of the RZM mark confirms that the badge was produced under the strict quality and licensing system of the party’s Reichszeugmeisterei, while the code BI.22 identifies the authorized manufacturer.

Far from being merely decorative, this badge represented ideological allegiance and institutional belonging. It was worn during lectures, ceremonies, and official events, and today stands as a physical reminder of how higher education was systematically aligned with the political objectives of the Third Reich.