BACKGROUND: The SA, Sturmabteilung, (Storm/Assault Detachment), was originally formed in the August 1921 as a protective guard unit for the political leaders of the fledgling NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), and as with the NSDAP the SA was structure along para-military lines. The SA recruited most of its personnel from the ranks of the various Freikorps groups composed mainly of disgruntled ex-soldiers and was first utilized at a NSDAP meeting in Munich in November 1921. The SA Sports badge in bronze was instituted by SA-Stabschef Ernst Röhm on November 28TH 1933, for award to SA and SS personnel who passed the required criteria in physical fitness, military defence and field exercises. On February 15TH 1935, in an attempt to inspire the German public to greater levels of physical fitness, Hitler conferred official national status to the badge and expanded it to include a silver and gold grade. When the badges gained official national status, bestowal was opened to all German nationals who were strongly encouraged to qualify for award of one of the three grades.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The slightly convex badge takes the form of an upright Roman broad sword superimposed over a mobile swastika, all encompassed by a circular oak-leaf wreath. This die struck bronze example has the second pattern (1935-39) inscription, "Eigentum D. S.A. Sportabz. Hauptstelle" (Property of-the S.A. Sports-badge Head-department) embossed to its reverse. The reverse also has the embossed maker’s name, "E. Schneider," "Lüdenscheid," and stamped serial number. Its complete flat pin, soldered hinge and catch assembly is intact.