Kameradschaft ehemaliger Artilleristen Rheinland und Westfalen Badge

This striking enameled veterans’ badge was issued by the Kameradschaft ehemaliger Artilleristen im Rheinland und Westfalen (Comrades’ Association of Former Artillerymen in Rhineland and Westphalia), a regional organization formed to unite artillery veterans of the Imperial German Army after World War I. Measuring approximately 1 inch tall and crafted in gilded bronze with blue, red, white, green, and black enamel, the badge proudly features a gold field cannon surrounded by a beaded border and surmounted by the German state shields of the Rhineland and Westphalia.

The enamel colors remain vivid against the deep cobalt background, symbolizing unity among the artillery veterans of these two historic Prussian provinces. Above the shield, the legend “Kameradschaft ehem. Artilleristen in Rheinland und Westfalen” translates to “Comrades’ Association of Former Artillerymen in Rhineland and Westphalia.” Such associations played an important social and patriotic role in interwar Germany, helping veterans maintain bonds of fellowship, remember fallen comrades, and preserve regimental traditions at a time when the Treaty of Versailles had dissolved the proud Imperial artillery formations.

The reverse bears a maker’s mark from “Chr. Lauer, Nürnberg–Berlin,” one of the foremost manufacturers of official and veterans’ insignia during the Weimar and early National Socialist periods. The soldered pin and hinge remain fully intact with only light tarnish to the gilt base metal.

Badges of this type were worn on civilian clothing during veterans’ reunions, parades, and memorial ceremonies—often pinned beside service medals or Iron Crosses. Today, they are appreciated for their craftsmanship, rich enamel work, and direct connection to the esprit de corps of Germany’s wartime artillerymen.

Condition very fine with minimal enamel loss and gentle age toning.