BACKGROUND: The NSDAP, "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (National-socialist German Workers’-party), was originally founded, in Munich, in January of 1919. Known then as the DAP, "Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (German Workers’-party), when Adolf Hitler joined it, in the autumn of 1919, he set about reforming what was basically a debating society into an active political party. Appointed as its first chairman in July of 1921, Hitler restructured the party along para-military lines in four ascending levels of government, consisting of the "Ortsgruppe," the "Kreisleitung," the "Gauleitung," and the "Reichsleitung," with each group being distinguished by a specific color of piping on the collar tabs and visor cap. Uniform regulations for Nazi political leaders were addressed as early as 1920, underwent numerous modifications, and were largely finalized by May of 1939.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A "Gauleitung" (Head Zone Leader) collar tab. Tab is construction on a red velvet base, with dark red rayon piping. Collar tabs features a national eagle, with a wing span of 40mm, clutching a wreathed, static swastika in its talons, as worn between 1939-45. Beneath the eagle are four gilt washed alloy political rank pips. This combination indicates an "GemeinschaftsLeiter" rank at the Gauleitung level.