Imperial German 1916 Jugendruderverband Kriegsruderregatta Plaquette

Imperial German commemorative participant plaquette from a wartime rowing regatta held on 10 September 1916 under the Jugendruderverband (Youth Rowing Association). The piece commemorates a Kriegsruderregatta, literally a “war rowing regatta,” and is specifically inscribed for a Doppelzweier m. St., an abbreviation for Doppelzweier mit Steuermann, or “double scull with coxswain.”

The badge is vertically rectangular with a shaped lower point and a dark-finished base metal body. Across the upper edge is the raised inscription “JUGENDRUDERVERBAND,” identifying the organizing youth rowing association. The central applied rectangular silver-colored plaque carries a raised 1914-style Iron Cross motif above the engraved wording “Doppel-Zweier m. St.” The lower portion is inscribed “KRIEGSRUDERREGATTA” with the date “10.9.1916,” translating to “War Rowing Regatta, 10 September 1916.”

At the base is a small enamel device in the Imperial German colors incorporating the black Imperial eagle against a red center, surrounded by black and white. This colorful lower emblem provides a strong visual counterpoint to the otherwise restrained black and silver design and reinforces the patriotic wartime character of the piece.

The Jugendruderverband was founded during the First World War to promote organized rowing among young men, particularly school-age and post-school youth. Wartime regattas such as this served not simply as athletic contests but as expressions of discipline, physical training and patriotic continuity during a period when ordinary sporting life in Germany had been heavily disrupted by mobilization and the demands of war. A dated 1916 participant plaquette therefore belongs as much to the social history of the German home front as it does to the history of rowing.

The central use of the Iron Cross form is particularly characteristic of German wartime commemorative material. By 1916, the Iron Cross had become one of the most recognizable symbols of German military service and sacrifice. Its use here on a sporting plaquette reflects the extent to which wartime patriotic symbolism permeated civilian and youth organizations during the conflict.

The inscription “Doppel-Zweier m. St.” is significant because it identifies the specific rowing event associated with the participant. In full, Doppelzweier mit Steuermann refers to a double sculling boat crewed by two rowers with a coxswain. This makes the plaquette more specific than a general regatta badge and ties it directly to one particular competition class.

Construction is of substantial cast or struck base metal with applied silver-colored central panel and enamel lower insignia. The reverse is plain and retains a small attachment hole near the upper edge, suggesting that the plaquette was intended for suspension, mounting or display rather than conventional pin-back wear.

Condition is very good overall. The dark finish remains largely intact with moderate handling wear to the raised lettering and edges. The silver-colored central panel shows light age toning, small scratches and surface wear consistent with period handling. The Iron Cross device remains sharp and well defined. The enamel lower emblem is especially well preserved, retaining strong red, white and black coloration with no major visible losses. The reverse shows normal age-related surface wear and oxidation but no significant damage.

This is an unusual and historically specific First World War commemorative piece combining Imperial German sporting culture, organized youth activity, wartime patriotism and rowing history. The fully dated inscription, named event type and strong Iron Cross imagery give it considerably more documentary interest than an anonymous patriotic badge.