BACKGROUND: Formed in late 1932 the Deutscher Luftschutzverband (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after Hitler ascension to power the Deutscher Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Ministry of Aviation), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutscher Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League), and was given status as an official, national, organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defence. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time, uniformed, officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. On its formation in 1933 a distinctive organizational emblem was developed that utilized the initials RLB positioned above a canted swastika on a sunburst patterned base until late 1938 or early 1939 when a new pattern organizational emblem was introduced which eliminated the initials and enlarged the swastika. Presumably this lapel pin was for wear by RLB member’s when in civilian clothes.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 20mm diameter, die struck alloy construction, first pattern, (circa 1933-1938/39), RLB emblem, lapel pin with bright silver washed and mid-blue enameled finishes. The pin features a mid-blue, enamel base with a central, embossed, forty-eight point, silver washed, sunburst pattern with the superimposed, stylized, mid-blue enameled, initials, "RLB" to the center, positioned above a small, canted, mid-blue, enameled, swastika. The reverse of the pin is well marked with the embossed, manufacturer’s name and location and, "Ges. Gesch.", indicating, Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected by Law). Complete with its original 50mm rifled pin.