Nasjonal Samling Rikshird Insignia

[RaymondG]

Hi

I was reviewing an SS officer roll yesterday and came across an interesting photograph featuring the above 'shield' in wear.

According to what I have read it was worn by Norwegian Legion if they were a member of the Nasjonal Samling Rikshird.

Information on the insignia seems a little patchy and it struck me as being a rather rare piece of insignia and one not often seen. There is also a badge that I have come across that was worn on the breast pocket of tunics.

Does anyone have an additional information, or even an original piece of insignia.

Attached is the photograph from the file, with the insignia displayed on the mid-left arm. I suppose it could even be an armband. On W-SS uniform, it was displayed on the lower left arm as the second image shows.

[Max]

Hello Raymond,
very interesting thread.

Has you noticed the Rikshird insignia is on an arm-band.

The Rikshird members wore a Black armband with yellow cross (St.Olaf) and spade on red field, while the Frw.Legion Norwegen insignia was in silver on black.

Here a very nice photo that shows an SS wearing the black Rikshird armband and even a Rikshird cap eagle on his side cap.

The Frw.legion Norwegen shields (flag or round insignia) are very rare, it would be great if someone can post it.

regards,

Max

[RaymondG]

Hi Max

Thanks for the further explanation on the shield and posting up the additional photograph showing the armband. You can clearly see the Rikshird eagle on the cap.

Raymond

[bax]

Hi,

I have tried to get some pictures of what you are looking for. This picture shows the armband that is used on the NS rikshird uniform pictured on the left in post #1 This is a dark blue uniform. The two metal badges is membership badges. The top one is a general NS member badge. The below one has a personal number on the reverse and is awarded to NS members. I do not know the criteria, but is is most likely not given to any member of NS. This one is in silver color with swords. This is the bagde you will see Norwegians in waffen ss has on their right (when looking at the picture) pocket. This badge is used by the NS youth (up to 18) and the NS rikshird from 18 years and above, differentiated by the base color (silver or gold etc.). The female part of NS had differente badges.

The NS Rikshirdarmband is the one seen in the picture of Norges SS in post #2 as well. This was very shortlived practise and these pictures are most likely taken during the initial establishment of ss in Norway in may 1941. Later the organisation and uniforms changed.

This is by the way my first post here.

Rgds
Pål

[bax]

Hi,

Here is an example of the black and white NS insignia. This was used by norwegians in waffen ss to indicate NS membership. It was qouite common to use this in Den Norske Legion, but it was also used by norwegians in all the combat units (Wiking, Skibat. etc) they served in.

The insignia can be found in different size, but is smaler in size than the NS rikshird insignia in the above post and has a different construction. Most is found in the Bevo pattern, but machine embroided versions also exists .

Rgds
Pål

[bax]

Hi,

This is the flag you would see on the uniforms used by Den Norske Legion when they where on training. The flag was not allowed to be used after they was deployed to front service, but some few pictures exist of people ignoring this rule.

This is the official version of the flag. The norwegian red cross frontsisters used this pattern flag (as well as others) on their uniforms during their frontservice.

Rgds
Pål

[bax]

Hi,

I am posting the shield used by Norwegians in Rgt. Norge (Div. Nordland) as well.

Rgds
Pål

[RaymondG]

Pål

Welcome to the forum!

Many thanks for posting these items up as they are rarely seen and some I have only seen in photographs.

Excellent:thumbup:

Raymond

[Felix]

Pål!

Welcome to this Forum my friend!
Thanks for posting very nice informaton and images!:thumbup1:

I used to have both the Norwegian and Danish shields but now they are gone. I used to collect a few volunteer items.

Cheers,
Felix

[bax]

Hi,

Thanks for the nice comments.

It was also produced some various pattern of bevo style armshilds in Germany. These shields was sold at the training camps or else where. We know they are not an official shield lihe the. the Rgt 24 shield in the above post. The Machine embroidered "RZM" shield is the only official version approved to be used on the waffen ss uniform.

Not official, does not mean they was not used :001_rolleyes: so this version is seen in period picturses on female nurces among others.

Similar shields in this pattern also exists.

Rgds
Pål