1936 German May Day (Tag der Arbeit) Tinnie Badge - Eagle and Swastika

Description

This is an authentic 1936 German May Day (Tag der Arbeit) commemorative badge, commonly referred to by collectors as a 'tinnie.' Struck during the Third Reich era, this piece was issued to celebrate the national labor holiday on May 1st, 1936. The obverse features a symbolic composition of a hammer, a sword, and a plow, representing the unification of industrial workers, the military, and the peasantry. Below these symbols is the national emblem, a Reichsadler (eagle) with outstretched wings clutching a wreathed swastika. The inscription '1 MAI 1936' is clearly visible in the upper left field. Crafted from a lightweight metal alloy, likely aluminum or a zinc-based material, the badge exhibits a matte grey finish characteristic of period mass-produced insignia. The item is in good vintage condition, showing expected signs of age such as minor surface oxidation, light pitting, and softening of the higher relief details. This piece serves as a significant historical artifact of mid-20th-century German political and social history, making it a notable addition for collectors of militaria and historical memorabilia.