BACKGROUND: The development of the NSKK, "National Sozialistisches Kraftfahr Korps" (National Socialist Motor Corps), can be traced back to 1923 when the SA introduced a "Kraftfahr Abteilung" (Motor Section) to transport personnel as required. In 1928 the SA Motor section was expanded to "Kraftfahrstaffeln" (Motor-squadrons). In an attempt to create a national motor corps, the NSAK, "National Sozialistisches Automobil Korps" (National Socialist Automobile Corps), was formed in April of 1930 as an NSDAP auxiliary organization, subordinate to the SA. In early 1931 Adolf Hühnlein was appointed as Chief of the NSAK and proposed a name change to NSKK, which was officially accepted in April of 1931. Shortly after the purge of the SA during the "Night of the Long Knives," in June of 1934, the NSKK was promoted to an official NSDAP organization, given independent status within the party, and absorbed the SA Motor Squadron’s personnel. A "Kraftfahrraute" (Driver’s-diamond) was originally worn by all NSKK members, on their lower left sleeve, but by September of 1939 only those who held one of the four classes of motor vehicle operator’s licenses were permitted to wear them.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A black wool diamond, 70mm tall and 60mm wide, upon which is die-struck alloy first pattern spread-winged eagle clutching a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons, against a six-spoked wheel.