Hitler Youth Membership Badge

The Hitler Youth membership badge, known in German as the HJ-Mitgliedsabzeichen, was one of the principal personal insignia worn by members of the National Socialist youth organisation.

The characteristic vertical diamond design was introduced in 1933, replacing the earlier circular membership badge used during the organisation’s formative years. Its red, white and black colour scheme, with the swastika positioned at the centre, became the best-known emblem of the Hitler Youth.

Metal versions were generally manufactured from die-struck alloy with enamelled sections and a fastening device on the reverse. The badge was worn on the uniform, normally around the left breast pocket of the brown service shirt. The same diamond emblem was also produced in cloth form and appeared on a wide range of clothing, headgear, sports garments, flags and pennants.

Manufacture was progressively regulated by the Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM), which controlled authorised production and distribution of uniforms and insignia for National Socialist organisations. Period examples therefore frequently carry RZM markings and manufacturer identification codes.

A lesser-known detail concerns the earlier membership badge: when the diamond pattern was introduced in 1933, the original circular badge dating from 1929 was not immediately withdrawn. Early members were temporarily permitted to continue wearing it as a tradition badge, until the introduction of the Golden Hitler Youth Honour Badge in 1934.