History

Following the First World War, the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) was threatened in its existence by the Treaty of Versailles, since the organisation was mainly focused on preparing its members for war and military-related medical service. This resulted in the DRK switching focus to social welfare activities during the time of the Weimar Republic.

The stipulations enforced by the Treaty of Versailles were declared null and void following the NSDAP’s consolidation of power in 1933. The new Reich Minister of the Interior, Wilhelm Frick, an NSDAP member, ensured that the DRK would be ready to support all of the Third Reich’s future military affairs and political ideologies. In 1938, the DRK was merged with the Ministry of the Interior’s Social Welfare Organisation, officially becoming an organisation under NSDAP oversight. The DRK also had ties to the SS, mainly due to high-ranking medical professionals serving in both organisations simultaneously.

The Arbeiter-Samariterbund (Worker's Samaritan League) was a DRK related organisation.

The buckles are rectangular and measure approximately 63x47mm.

The first variant features a cross with a superimposed swastika. It was worn from 1933 to 1934.

The second variant features a cross within a circle with two borders, with the letters "ASB" on the cross and the inscription "Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund e.V. inside the circle borders. It was worn around 1930.

The third variant features a cross inside a circle with two borders, with a letter "S" on the cross. It was worn around 1932.