✚6884✚ German DRL Military Sport Physical Training Badge Silver post WW1 1933-37

Genuine German DRL - German National Union for Physical Training Badge in Silver (1933-1937 issue), VERY NICE CONDITION, BIT FADED FINISH BUT A VERY NICE WORN EXAMPLE THOUGH, PERFECT PIN DEVICE - RARE SOLID "DRL" VERSION, DIMENSIONS: cca 48 x 38 mm

HISTORY OF THE AWARD:

DRA/DRL - German National Union for Physical Training Badge - (Deutsches Reichsbund für Leibesübungen). Originally introduced as DRA Badge shortly after the 1913 Olympic games as an incentive to promote physical training among the German population. On its introduction the badge was issued in two grades, bronze and gold and was only awarded to males who met the required criteria. In 1920 a silver grade of the badge was introduced and in 1921 award of the badge was expanded to include eligible females. The bronze badge was awarded to personnel between the ages of 18 and 32 years old who passed the required level of physical training in a twelve month period. In 1933 control of physical training was passed to the Deutsches Reichsbund für Leibesübungen. (German National Union for Physical Training), and the DRA badge was discontinued and replaced by a new DRL badge of the same design with only a change in the central lettering. In 1937 the DRL badge was modified with the addition of a swastika to the bottom of the oak-leaf wreath. The badge is a struck bronze award, which is in the form of a 50mm tall, vertical oval oak leaf wreath, with a mobile swastika and bow to its base, encompassing the stylized, cut-out letters, "DRL." To the reverse is a vertical pin-back device, hinged to its top and with a catch to its base.