Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The Sturmabteilung, literally Storm Detachment, was the NSDAP Party's original paramilitary. It played a significant role in AH's rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s. Its primary purposes were providing protection for NSDAP rallies and assemblies, disrupting the meetings of opposing parties, fighting against the paramilitary units of the opposing parties, especially the Red Front Fighters League (Rotfrontkämpferbund) of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), and intimidating Romani, trade unionists, and, especially, Jews – for instance, during the NSDAP boycott of Jewish businesses.

This is a stunning wood carving of a “Stormtrooper” of the Sturmabteilung, marching with his right arm extended forward. The boots and ground are painted black, but we are unsure if this was originally done or added later. The carving has phenomenal detailing, from his “Coffee Can” SA cap to his armband & belt. There is a small plaque at the base reading:

Zur Silberhochzeit
von S.A. Pi. 5/84
For the Silver Wedding Anniversary
by S.A. Pi. 5/84

A “Silver” Wedding Anniversary indicates 25 years, so this was likely made for the 25th Wedding Anniversary of an SA Stormtrooper by his wife or family, with S.A. Pi. 5/84 likely being his specific unit.

The base of the carving is etched with the carver’s name & date:

E. Rosler
1933

This is rather early and a fantastic piece of early SA history. The carving is in great shape with the only serious issue being a crack in his right leg & boot which doesn’t seem too serious, but caution should be taken when handling it. The carving measures roughly 18” tall with a 4¼ x 6” base. 

This is a truly phenomenal & unique piece that will become the centerpiece of any SA Collection. Comes ready for further research and display.

The SA were also called the "Brownshirts" (Braunhemden) from the color of their uniform shirts, similar to Benito Mussolini's blackshirts. The SA developed pseudo-military titles for its members, with ranks that were later adopted by several other NSDAP Party groups, chief amongst them the Schutzstaffel (SS), which originated as a branch of the SA before being separated. Brown-colored shirts were chosen as the SA uniform because a large number of them were cheaply available after World War I, having originally been ordered during the war for colonial troops posted to Germany's former African colonies.

The SA became disempowered after Adolf AH ordered the "blood purge" of 1934. This event became known as the Night of the Long Knives (die Nacht der langen Messer). The SA continued to exist, but was effectively superseded by the SS, although it was not formally dissolved until after NSDAP Germany's final capitulation to the Allies in 1945.