Germany, Third Reich. A Wehrwirtschaftsführer Badge

(Wehrwirtschaftsführer Abzeichen). Constructed of gilded aluminum, the obverse bearing a raised and highly-detailed factory within an oak leaf wreath, topped by a banner with a raised inscription of “WEHR-WIRTSCHAFTS-FÜHRER” (“DEFENCE ECONOMY LEADER”) and NSDAP-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked measuring 35.16 mm (w) x 46.16 mm (h), weighing 10.7 grams, with a minor patch of oxidation evident to the reverse, in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Wehrwirtschaftsführer was a title bestowed on business and industry leaders at the helm of entities of vital importance to Germany’s wartime economy. Effectively binding them to the Wehrmacht, these executives attained quasi-military status and their workers became largely exempt from employment and labour laws.