BACKGROUND: As with most of the medals and badges awarded during the Third Reich an optional miniature lapel pin was authorized for wear on civilian clothes to all qualified recipients. Most commonly these miniatures were privately purchased although some were bestowed with the full sized award. The miniatures were exact replicas of their full sized counterparts. Originally introduced in 1920 as the DRA badge, this was modified in 1933 to the DRL badge and again in 1937 with the addition of the swastika. The award was intended as an incentive for physical training, and was issued to both males and females, between 18 and 32 years old who met the required criteria for an eight year period, or 32 to 40 year old’s who met the criteria over a twelve month period.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1937 pattern, die struck alloy lapel pin with a silver wash. Pin in the form of a vertically oval oak-leaf wreath with a canted swastika and bow to bottom encompassing stylized, cut-out letters, "DRL" indicating Deutsches Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (German National Union for Physical Training). Only hints of the original silver wash remain and pin has a matte grey appearance. Complete with A 50mm vertical rifled stick pin.