Here is a small group to a member of the Bavarian Werwolf Freikorps. The Bavarian helmet plate has had the crowns removed from the lions and shield and a silver Werwolf Freikorps skull and crossbones added. The book and photograph are of the owner of the plate. The pictures of the flag and ring (from Germania International) show the Werwolf Freikorps symbols.

In the aftermath of World War I and during the German Revolution of 1918–19, Freikorps consisting largely of World War I veterans were raised as right-wing paramilitary militias, ostensibly to fight on behalf of the government against the Soviet-backed German Communists attempting to overthrow the Weimar Republic. However, the Freikorps also largely despised the Republic and were involved in assassinations of its supporters. They were also used to defeat the Bavarian Soviet Republic in May 1919. The Werwolf Freikorps was one of one of the most infamous Freikorps of Germany. This fanatical right-wing group was the foundation of the future National Socialist brown shirts, or Sturmabteilung.

 

 

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Is that a flamethrower in the last photo? These guys weren't fooling around, were they?

Great group. Rich A. in Pa.

Fantastic Group Thank You For Posting It.Scotty

That is very cool/interesting Dick. I have never seen anything like it. Do you know of any period photographs of this being worn? Would be interesting to see.

 

Thanks

 

Eric

Hi Eric,

This group came along as part of a WW2 medal group. I didn't have any idea what the skull and cross bones insignia was until I thought of posting the group here. I guessed that the crowns were removed post war and remembered that the Freikorps used the skull and crossbones symbol. I found the Germania International website when I googled Freikorps. That led me to the Werwolf Freikorps symbols and insignia and their role in the defeat of the Bavarian Soviet Republic. Many of the Werwolf Freikorps officers became members and officers of the SS. I am not aware of any period photographs of this wappen being worn. However, my guess is that it was worn on a Weimar period Bavarian police style shako.

Dick