SMGL-1914 Einwohnerwehr button hole badge

A scarce pre third Reich era button hole badge. It’s 23×23 mm and solid brass. Expand your collection past the swastika today!!

“Einwohnerwehr during the Freikorps period

After the initial Spartacist (Communist) uprising in Berlin had been suppressed by a combination of Freikorps units and citizen brigades (referred to initially as “B?rgerwehren”) in January 1919, the Reichs Ministry of Defense ordered regional commands to establish civilian brigades (referred to as Einwohnerwehren, literally ‘Inhabitants’ Defense Forces) on March 22, 1919 to maintain stability within the country. Each state had a central office for the Einwohnerwehr which followed instructions from the military command as well as liaising with local police. The Einwohnerwehr were directly involved in suppression of communist uprisings and workers strikes that occurred around the country from 1919-1923. For example, the Bavarian Einwohnerwehr were heavily involved in the Battle of Munich on May 2-3, 1919 against the Bavarian Soviet government.

Einwohnerwehr wore civilian clothes and were mainly identified by the wearing of a simple armband that had either a state or city designation printed on them, as well as a membership serial number, or a district badge sewn onto them.” *warrelics.eu