German gymnastics and sports badge 1919 DRA in bronze. (Deutsches Turn- und Sportabzeichen 1919 DRA in Bronze. DRA = German Reich Committee for Physical Exercise (DRA = Deutscher Reichs Ausschuss für Leibesübungen) introduced shortly after the 1913 Olympic games as an incentive to promote physical training among the German population. On its introduction the badge was issued in two grades, bronze and gold and was only awarded to males who met the required criteria. In 1920 a silver grade of the badge was introduced and in 1921award of the badge was expanded to include eligible females. The bronze badge was awarded to personnel between the ages of 18 and 32 years old who passed the required level of physical training in a twelve month period. In 1933 control of physical training was passed to the Deutsches Reichsbund für Leibesübungen. (German National Union for Physical Training), and the DRA badge was discontinued and replaced by a new DRL badge of the same design with only a change in the central lettering. In 1937 the DRL badge was modified with the addition of a swastika to the bottom of the oak-leaf wreath. Die struck, tombac, award in the form of an embossed, vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with bow to bottom, encompassing the interwoven, stylized, cutout letters "DRA", for Deutscher Reichs-Ausschuss, (German National Elite). Reverse has embossed manufacturers mark: H. Wernstein Jena-Löbstedt. D.R.G.M. 33918."D.R.G.M." ("Deutsche Reichs Gebrauchsmuster," or, German National Registered-design [Patent])

Good condition with traces of hard wear.