Imperial German Winged Wheel Automobile Club Badge, c. 1910–20

Offered here is a period German “winged wheel” club badge in silver-toned metal, executed in a crisp, die-struck pattern with deeply defined feathering and a pierced central wheel. The badge presents as a one-piece casting/strike with an oval wheel hub featuring open spokes and a raised rim, flanked by broad, swept wings with graduated feather rows and a subtly scalloped trailing edge. The overall look is bold but refined—exactly the kind of high-visibility emblem intended to read clearly at distance when worn on a cap, visor cap band, or as a coat/club insignia.

The reverse shows an original horizontal pinback assembly with a long clasp pin spanning nearly the full width of the badge. Hardware appears period-correct and practical: a sturdy hinge at one end and a catch at the other, designed for secure attachment through heavier cloth. No maker mark is visible in the provided views. Finish is a naturally aged silver/gray tone on the face with darker oxidation settled into recesses, giving the wing feathering and wheel details strong contrast.

Historically, the winged wheel is one of the signature motifs of early motoring culture in Imperial and immediate post-Imperial Germany. As the automobile moved from novelty to status symbol in the pre-war years, a network of automobile clubs, touring associations, and technical societies emerged to organize events, advocate for infrastructure, and cultivate elite social circles around the new technology. Badges like this were worn as visible membership identifiers and as “credibility signals” at rallies, endurance runs, and club gatherings—where a recognized emblem mattered as much as the vehicle itself. The wheel is an obvious reference to motoring, while the wings speak to speed, modernity, and the era’s fascination with mechanical progress—an aesthetic crossover point where automobilism and early aviation often shared imagery, sponsors, and club membership.

From a collector’s standpoint, this style of badge is highly displayable and cross-collectible: it fits Imperial German militaria collections (especially those with home-front, technical, or patriotic society material), early aviation ephemera groupings, and pre-war automobilia. The design is also a strong companion piece to period photos of motoring enthusiasts, chauffeurs, and club participants—where winged-wheel insignia frequently appears on caps and lapels. Even without a visible maker mark, the construction, pin system, and motif align well with genuine early 20th-century German club insignia production.

Condition is very good overall. The obverse shows honest surface wear and age toning, with no apparent cracks or major losses. Details remain sharp, particularly in the wing feathering and the wheel spokes. The reverse shows expected oxidation and patina around the hardware and along raised edges. Pin appears intact and appropriately robust; functional performance should be verified in hand, but nothing in the images suggests replacement or modern repair.