1938 Jubiläums-Abzeichen Certificate – 25 Years’ Membership, NS Deutscher Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuser)

Original German Besitz-Zeugnis / award certificate for the Jubiläums-Abzeichen für 25-jährige treue Mitgliedschaft im NS Deutschen Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuser), awarded to August Krämer, Neustadt. The certificate is dated Berlin, 16 July 1938 and formally records that Krämer had been granted the Jubiläums-Abzeichen for 25 years of faithful membership in the NS Deutscher Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuser).

The document is particularly interesting because 25 years of continuous membership places the beginning of Krämer’s membership at approximately 1913, meaning his association with the Kyffhäuser veteran organization predates the First World War. The certificate therefore represents not simply a Third Reich-era membership award, but a document reflecting a veteran’s long-standing pre-1914 connection with the German veterans’ movement.

The certificate bears the official Kyffhäuserbund Berlin seal and the impressive signature of SS-Gruppenführer and Generalmajor a.D. Wilhelm Reinhard, identified here as Der Reichskriegerführer. Reinhard served as Reichskriegerführer of the NS Deutscher Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuser), making his signature particularly appropriate and desirable on this type of certificate.

The NS Deutscher Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuser) was the National Socialist-era successor organization of the long-established German veterans’ association movement. By 1938 it represented a very large membership of former German servicemen and veterans and incorporated the traditions of the older Kyffhäuserbund into the National Socialist state. The Jubiläums-Abzeichen recognized long periods of continuous membership, making 25-year examples especially interesting because they necessarily document membership originating during the Kaiserreich era.

Condition

Original large-format certificate with central vertical folding, additional horizontal folding, light age-related toning, foxing/discoloration and general handling/storage wear. The elaborate printed border and typography remain attractive, while the original Kyffhäuserbund seal and Reinhard signature are clearly visible.