BACKGROUND: The DRKB, "Deutscher Reichskriegerbund" (German National-veterans’-league), was formed during WWI, and was based on the DKB, "Deutscher Kriegerbund," originally formed after the Franco-Prussian war in the 1870s. By 1936 it had incorporated most of the varied veterans’ associations into it, and was itself re-named the NS-RKB, "Nationalsozialistische-Reichskriegerbund," in 1938.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A two-piece, alloy and enamel lapel pin, 30mm in overall height, which takes the form of a shield surmounted by a circle and surrounded by a spray of oak leaves. The enamel shield features, against its translucent, pebbled red background, a black enamel Iron Cross with an encircled, mobile swastika to its center. The edges of the Iron Cross, and the circle to its center, are washed in silver. Above the shield is a circle with the number "50" against a black enamel background. The number, the edges of the circle, the edges of the shield, and the oak leaf surround are all gilt-washed. "Ges. Gesch.," for "Gesetzlich Geschützt" (By-law Protected), is embossedto the back. Complete with its original 50mm rifled pin. Scarce.