This badge commemorates the Day of SA-Gruppe Nordsee, which took place on June 6-7, 1936 in Bremen. This commemorative badge made of Cupal – a copper-aluminum alloy – was produced by the Bremen manufacturer Bruno Mulde and belongs to an extensive category of SA event badges manufactured during the National Socialist era.

SA-Gruppe Nordsee was one of the regional divisions of the Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary combat organization of the NSDAP. The SA was founded in 1920/21 and developed into a mass organization that comprised several million members in the early 1930s. After the seizure of power in 1933 and particularly after the so-called “Röhm Putsch” in June 1934, the SA lost considerable political significance but remained as an organization and continued to conduct events.

The SA was organized into Gruppen (groups) that covered geographically defined regions. SA-Gruppe Nordsee was responsible for the North German coastal area and was headquartered in Bremen. Its territory included the Hanseatic city of Bremen and adjacent areas along the North Sea coast. The group structure was part of the hierarchical organization of the SA, which ranged from the supreme Reich leadership down to the local Stürme (storm troops).

Event badges played an important role in National Socialist Germany for propaganda and the organization of mass events. They served several purposes: they were admission tickets or participation confirmations, souvenirs for participants, sources of income for the organizing bodies, and propaganda tools demonstrating the presence and strength of the respective organization. Such badges were issued for nearly all major SA events, including marches, sporting events, field exercises, and political rallies.

The year 1936 was of particular significance for the NS regime. It was the year of the Olympic Games in Berlin, where Germany wanted to present itself to the world public. At the same time, the regime continued its rearmament and the militarization of society. The SA continued to organize mass events to demonstrate its continued role in the NS state, even though its political power had been significantly curtailed after 1934.

The choice of Cupal as material is characteristic of the mid-1930s. Cupal was a popular alloy for badges and medals because it was inexpensive to produce, easy to work with, and had an attractive gold-like color. It consisted primarily of copper with aluminum additives and was significantly cheaper than bronze or brass, which was important for mass production for large events.

The manufacturer Bruno Mulde from Bremen was among the numerous local and regional manufacturers who produced badges on behalf of the SA and other NS organizations. These companies often received contracts for regional events and contributed to the local economy. The production of party and organizational badges was a significant economic sector during the NS era, employing numerous metal goods factories, minting facilities, and craft businesses.

The pin construction was the usual attachment method for event badges. The pin on the reverse allowed attachment to uniforms, civilian clothing, or flags and pennants. SA members frequently wore such badges on their brown uniforms to document their participation in important events.

Such regional SA events typically included marches, roll calls, sports competitions, field exercises, and political speeches. They served ideological training, physical fitness, and the demonstration of strength and unity. At the same time, they were important social events for members and were intended to strengthen attachment to the organization.

Today, such badges are historical documents that provide insight into the organizational structure, propaganda, and everyday culture of the NS regime. They are preserved in museums, archives, and collections and serve historical research and education. Trade in such objects is subject to legal regulations in Germany and other countries, which are designed to ensure that they are used exclusively for purposes of civic education, defense against unconstitutional activities, art, science, research, or teaching.