Reich Level Bandmaster Swallows Nest # 504
Reich Level Bandmaster Swallows Nest # 504
The Reichszeugmeisterei, (abbreviated to RZM), is an organization established to govern and regulate the production of Nazi Party materials, and generate revenue for the Party. As the Party prospered
and grew, so did the necessity to exercise some control over the licensing of the imagery of the Party. With an emphasis on uniformity, there had to be a governing body to oversee the production and distribution of Party material, and to ensure that the Party received its due proceeds from the licensing of its imagery as well. The RZM served just such a purpose. Many different makers of almost any conceivable product applied for the lucrative rights to manufacture all things Party related: Party pins, Uniforms, Belts, Buckles, Badges, Awards, Visors, Flags, Banners, etc., and the Party received a piece of every of sale.
In order to gain RZM approval, a prospective manufacturer had to submit an example to the RZM to ensure that it met or exceeded all criteria. If the product was deemed worthy, an individual RZM license
number was issued, and production was free to begin. These prototype pieces are identifiable by what is referred to today as a probe tag.
This is just such a piece, a Reich Level RZM Probe example for Drum Major and Bandmasters (Spielmannszugfuhrer) Swallows Nest, with 5cm gold fringe added to the wings. Without a doubt a one-of-a-kind piece. The detail and superbness captured in these are intense, as, upon a close inspection, you might notice the intricate swastikas that adorn the yellow stripes. Easy to overlook, you certainly wouldnt notice them as the band marched by in a parade. But that is precisely what makes them so interesting. It is the subtle detail and German craftsmanship that exists that continues to drive demand for these items 75 years later.
Even if the general public never caught a glimpse of the quality, the Party, the original wearer and the manufacturer did. And now, we as collectors are able to appreciate the amount of work that went into
producing these. In an era where 'cheap' and 'disposable' dominates the consumer mentality, it is nice to be able to hold something that had so much effort put into. And you will not find another pair.
Reich level Bandmaster Swallows Nest