Type II - Blood Order Decoration of 9 November 1923 with letter

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Political and Civil > NSDAP

A Type II – Ehrenzeichen vom 9.November 1923, designed by Josef Fuess of München and manufactured by Eugen Schmidhäussler of Pforzheim. The Blood Order (Decoration in Memory of 9th November 1923 - Munich Putsch) was instituted in March 1934 (Type I) was awarded to the 1500 loyal participants in the unsuccessful “Beer Hall Putsch” where the Nazi Party attempted to seize governmental power. In May 1938 (Type II), the award was extended to persons who had; served time in prison for Nazi activities before 1933, received a death sentence which was later commuted to life imprisonment for Nazi activities before 1933, or been severely wounded in the service of the Party before 1933. It is constructed out of a die struck 800 silver base. The round shaped obverse features, to the left; a large national eagle clutching an oak leaf wreath that surrounds “9. Nov”, and “München 1923–1933” to the right. The reverse displays a centrally placed Feldherrnhalle monument which is below a rising mobile swastika and the arched inscription “Und Ihr Habt Doch Gesiegt” (And you were victorious after all). To the bottom it is number “3337” along with the silver content designation: “800”. It measures 1 9/16 inches in diameter. This piece has beautifully patinaed with time. The award comes housed in the correct Type II case. The case is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated grained maroon leather (Lederimitat). To the front is a gilded steel push button. To the back is a gilded steel, staggered, piano hinge. To the very top in the gilded script it reads: “8./9. November 1923” and has a thin border to the exterior. The interior-bottom of the case is constructed out of a pressed cardboard base that is covered in a pearl white fibrous felt material that outlines the award and place for the ribbon. There is a white cardboard exterior border to the bottom. The interior top is constructed out of a silk material and has an underlying pad. The interior silk hinge is ripped as is common with a lot of cases. The exterior shows minor wear to the edges/corners and the odd light scuff only visible at certain angles. The push button and hinge continue to work well. The case measures approximately 3 1/8 inches wide and 3 3/4 inches deep and ¾ of an inch thick. The case is in excellent condition! The blood order was considered the highest honor of the NSDAP.