Prussia Marksmanship Badge "Regiment Day of all 31ers Altona 1925", Infantry Regiment Graf Bose (1st Thuringian) No. 31

The commemorative badge of the 1925 Regimental Meeting of all 31ers in Altona represents a fascinating chapter in German military history during the Weimar Republic. This metal badge commemorates the traditional gathering of veterans of the Infantry Regiment Graf Bose (1st Thuringian) No. 31, a unit with a proud history rooted in the Kingdom of Prussia.

Infantry Regiment No. 31 was a significant formation of the Prussian army, officially designated as the 1st Thuringian Infantry Regiment No. 31 and bearing the honorary title Graf Bose. This name honored the Saxon Field Marshal Karl Friedrich Hildebrand von Canstein and Bose (1721-1782). The regiment was traditionally garrisoned in Erfurt and belonged to the XI (Royal Saxon) Army Corps. The unit was distinguished by a long tradition dating back to the 18th century.

After the end of World War I in 1918 and the dissolution of the Imperial Army through the Treaty of Versailles, a new era began for former soldiers. The provisions of the Versailles Treaty limited the German army to 100,000 men and prohibited many military activities. Nevertheless, the spirit of comradeship among veterans remained strong, and a vibrant tradition of regimental meetings and veterans' associations developed.

The choice of Hamburg-Altona as the venue for the 1925 meeting was not coincidental. Altona, then still an independent Prussian city (only incorporated into Hamburg in 1937), was an important urban center in northern Germany. The city possessed the necessary infrastructure for larger events and was easily accessible by transport. Such meetings were often held in different cities to emphasize the supra-regional solidarity of former regiment members.

The year 1925 marked an interesting point in the history of the Weimar Republic. After the turbulent early years of the Republic, characterized by coup attempts and hyperinflation, a phase of relative stabilization began. The Golden Twenties allowed a certain normalization of social life, and veterans' associations could exercise their activities relatively freely.

Meeting badges were an essential component of veterans' culture during the Weimar period. These pins served multiple purposes: they were proof of participation, mementos, and symbols of continuing comradeship. The badges were typically manufactured from inexpensive materials such as sheet metal, making them affordable for participants. Production was usually carried out by local metalware factories or specialized manufacturers of military memorabilia.

The design of such badges often followed certain conventions: they typically contained the regiment number, venue, date, and frequently symbolic elements such as regimental coats of arms, military insignia, or local landmarks. The artistic execution varied depending on the manufacturer and budget, ranging from simple stamped designs to more elaborate enameled pieces.

The veterans' culture of the Weimar Republic was a complex phenomenon. On one hand, these meetings served the non-political cultivation of comradeship and memory. On the other hand, they were increasingly instrumentalized by political currents. Various veterans' organizations had different political orientations, from the democratic Reichsbanner Black-Red-Gold to the monarchist-nationalist Stahlhelm, League of Front Soldiers.

Regimental meetings typically included various program items: solemn church services, wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials, social gatherings in restaurants, and often festive processions through the city. These events were important social occasions that offered opportunities for participation not only to veterans but often to the local population as well.

The collection and wearing of such badges developed into its own tradition. Veterans who attended multiple meetings wore their badge collections with pride, thereby documenting their continuing connection to their former unit. This practice contributed to the development of a material culture of remembrance that went beyond oral traditions.

The historical significance of such objects today lies in their documentary value. They are testimonies to a specific phase of German history in which the processing of war experiences and the search for identity in a changed political order were central social themes. For collectors and historians, these badges offer insights into the material culture of the interwar period and the complex social networks of former soldiers.

The condition designation “Zustand 2” (Condition 2) indicates that this particular badge has survived in good condition, with only minor signs of age and wear, making it a valuable example of this type of commemorative object from the mid-1920s.