1914 German Imperial Patriotic Lapel Badge — “GOTT MIT UNS” Iron Cross, gilt & enamel

Date/Period: 1914–1918 (WWI)
Origin: Imperial Germany (Prussia/German Empire)
Type: Home-front patriotic lapel / stick-pin badge
Materials: Gilt brass body with engine-turned (sunburst) ground; black & white vitreous enamel; plated outer rim; steel pin with soldered hinge & catch
Dimensions: round, small lapel size (nickel-sized; exact mm available on request)

Description

High-quality Imperial German patriotic lapel badge featuring a black enameled Iron Cross at center, the arms edged in bright metal and set over a gilt, radial sunburst ground. Around the motif is a crisp white enameled ring framed by a bright metal rim. The legend is integral to the cross:

Obverse legend (German): “GOTT MIT UNS — 1914”
Full English translation: “GOD WITH US — 1914.”

Reverse is plain gilt brass with a simple tube hinge and soldered catch (horizontal pin), typical jeweler’s construction for WWI donation/patriotic badges. No maker’s mark is present.

Historical Context

“Gott mit uns” (“God with us”) was the long-standing Prussian and Imperial motto, familiar from belt buckles and state arms. As the Empire mobilized in 1914, patriotic jewelry and benefit badges were sold to raise funds for war relief and to show support for the troops. The Iron Cross motif references the decoration re-instituted in 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. This badge is a better-quality enameled example (many were celluloid or printed tin), intended for wear on civilian coats, uniform lapels when off duty, or on home-front attire during parades and charity events.

Condition

• Very good, bright enamel with strong gloss and no obvious losses in the fields; light age scratches from wear.

• Gilt ground retains attractive color; outer rim shows minor handling rubs.

• Reverse with even patina and a touch of verdigris at the hinge from age; pin straight and functional.

• Presents sharply; far better than the average survivor.

Attribution / Maker

Unmarked. Construction, enameling, and sunburst ground are consistent with work from leading Munich/Berlin/Stuttgart badge makers (e.g., Deschler, Godet, Mayer & Wilhelm, etc.), but in the absence of a stamp the piece is cataloged as an unmarked Imperial German jeweler’s product.

Rarity & Collectability

While “Gott mit uns” badges exist in many variants, enameled, guilloché-ground roundels of this quality are scarcer than printed celluloid or tin types. Desirable crossover appeal for Iron Cross, Imperial home-front, and WWI patriotic collections.

Provenance

From a long-held private collection of Imperial German militaria.