~ WW2 Era Nazi Germany 8–9 November 1923 Blood Order (Blutorden) Munchen Medal ~
The 8–9 November 1923 Medal, commonly referred to as the “Blood Order” (Blutorden), is one of the most infamous and historically significant awards issued by Nazi Germany. It commemorates the participants of the failed Beer Hall Putsch, Adolf Hitler’s attempted coup d’état in Munich in 1923.
Our example is serial numbered 1102 with the ‘800’ stamp underneath and the correct 800 L/12 stamp on its ring.
It comes in its original box and with its original button ribbon bearing also the original cardboard label. The label reads X1, 2857, 1102
A picture with the nave of the recipient is attached. We were not able to decipher it though. The name sims to be Georg Muhr (source: https://www.ssdaggers.com/BO/blutorden.html)
Description of the Medal:
Material and Appearance:
The medal is made of silver.
It has a diameter of approximately 40 mm and features intricate details that reflect its commemorative purpose.
Obverse (Front):
Displays the Feldherrnhalle in Munich, the site where the putsch culminated in a deadly confrontation with the police.
The inscription around the edge reads: “UND IHR HABT DOCH GESIEGT” (translated: “And yet you were victorious”), symbolizing the Nazi interpretation of the event as a moral victory.
Reverse (Back):
Features the date 9. November 1923, commemorating the day of the putsch.
Includes a Nazi Party eagle and swastika emblem, symbolizing the Nazi ideology.
Early medals are marked with the recipient’s award number.
Ribbon:
The medal was worn with a ribbon in the colors of the old Imperial German flag: black, white, and red.
Historical Context:
The Beer Hall Putsch:
On 8–9 November 1923, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party attempted to overthrow the Weimar Republic by marching on Munich with the goal of seizing power.
The putsch failed when police confronted the marchers, resulting in the deaths of 16 Nazi supporters and 4 policemen.
Hitler was arrested and sentenced to prison, during which he wrote Mein Kampf.
Creation of the Medal:
The Blood Order was instituted in March 1934 to honor those who participated in the putsch and later remained loyal to the Nazi Party.
It became one of the most prestigious awards in Nazi Germany, symbolizing early commitment to the Nazi cause.
Eligibility:
Initially, the award was given only to the original 1,500 participants of the Beer Hall Putsch.
Later, it was extended to individuals who had been injured or killed in the Nazi movement before 1933 or those who had shown exceptional service to the party during its early years.
Famous Recipients:
Hermann Göring: A prominent Nazi leader wounded during the Beer Hall Putsch.
Rudolf Hess: Hitler’s deputy who later flew to Scotland in an attempt to negotiate peace.
Julius Streicher: Editor of the anti-Semitic publication Der Stürmer and a key propagandist.
Ernst Röhm: Head of the SA, later executed during the Night of the Long Knives.
Significance:
Recipients of the Blood Order were held in high regard within the Nazi hierarchy, and the medal served as a mark of honor and loyalty to Hitler.
It symbolized the “martyrdom” of the Nazi movement and was used as a propaganda tool to glorify its early struggles.
First vs. Second Series:
First Series (1934):
Made of silver.
Serially numbered on the reverse, usually between 1 and 1500.
Typically stamped with the code of the manufacturer, Deschler & Sohn, in Munich.
Exclusively awarded to original putsch participants.
Second Series (Post-1938):
Also made of silver but lacks serial numbers.
Awarded to later recipients who met the expanded eligibility criteria.
Weight and Dimensions:
Diameter: Approximately 40 mm.
Weight: Authentic medals feel solid and heavy due to their silver construction.