Chester Inn souvenir: German WWII Political NSDAP Armband

Object/Artifact

-

Chester Historical Society

Chester Inn souvenir: German WWII Political NSDAP Armband.: The image shows a red armband with a swastika symbol and text, including "chester Inn 45 div, German – 1945."
Chester Inn souvenir: German WWII Political NSDAP Armband.

The image shows a red armband with a swastika symbol and text, including "chester Inn 45 div, German – 1945."

Name/Title

Chester Inn souvenir: German WWII Political NSDAP Armband

Entry/Object ID

chs-014718

Description

A World War II souvineer: WWII Nazi armband - red cotton cloth with a white circle containing a black swastika at the center, commonly associated with Nazi Germany. Surrounding the emblem, the words "Chester Inn," "45 div," and "Germany - 1945" are inscribed, a reference to the specific U.S. Army unit that acquired this armband in Germany, likely in 1945. Following the War, an unknown serviceman gave it to the Chester Inn as a patriotic symbol of his part in the defeat of Nazi Germany. This armband is an artifact from World War II.

Context

Following the War, an unknown serviceman gave it to the Chester Inn as a patriotic symbol of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Category

War: World War II 1940-1945

Acquisition

Notes

Gift from unknown source.

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1945

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Transcription

"Chester Inn" 45 Div. Germany - 1945 C. S. [Label on reverse side:] B RZM Hersteller: A4/68 Reichszeugmeisterei der NSDAP C1 No. 436140

Dimensions

Height

10.6 cm

Width

46 cm

General Notes

Note

From: http://quanonline.com/military/military_reference/german/armbands/pol1_arm.php http://www.reiss.dk/hats/categories/RZMnumbers German WWII Political NSDAP Armband - On April 1, 1929, the "Reichszeugmeisterei der NSDAP" (RZM) was created with the aim of ensuring a higher degree of standardization and quality for uniforms, badges and other accessories used by German National Socialists. Originally, manufacturers merely had obtain RZM approval for their products, but on March 16, 1935, a numbering system was introduced, designed to be used in lieu of company hallmarks on all objects produced by approved firms. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The RZM issued a number to companies so they could place it in the product they were authorized to produce. The RZM code was usually accompanied by a logo formed by the letters RZM which was contained in a circle with the letter M at the bottom.

Create Date

January 14, 2025

Update Date

January 26, 2026