A “Goldenes Parteiabzeichen” belonging to member number 81507, Karl Jordan; in gilded tombac and black, white, and pebbled red enamels. The obverse with a black mobile swastika (Hakenkreuz) in the centre within a bed of white enamels, with a red enameled edge inscribed “Nationalsozialistische DAP”; the reverse plain, with a vertical badge-type pinback; maker marked “Ges. Gesch.” on the reverse; clearly numbered “81507” with some research; measuring 30.53 mm in diameter; weighing 14.2 grams. With nearly all of its original gilt remaining, and the enamels well preserved, without chips or cracks; in overall extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Karl Jordan was born on July 24, 1892 in Aigen (Upper Austria). A veteran of the First War, he served in the Austrian Infantry Regiment 14, 30th High Mountain Company. In 1917 he was promoted to Sanitäts-Leutnant (Medical Lieutenant). According to his own testimony, Jordan was wounded three times and on one occasion also contracted typhoid fever. However, according to official documents he received a Wound Badge with only two stripes, meaning twice wounded. Jordan was also awarded the Austro-Hungarian Military Merit Medal, the Karl Troop Cross, the Carinthian Cross, and the Tyrol National Defence Medal. After the war he fought in the Austro-Slovenian conflict in Carinthia in 1919 to 1920 as part of the Academic Legion of the University of Graz where he studied medicine. The newly forming kingdom of Yugoslavia tried to annex an area of Austria that was predominantly inhabited by ethnic Slovenians. The Austrians were ultimately successful in denying them the region. Subsequently, Jordan opened his own doctor’s office. He joined the NSDAP on December 2, 1927, membership no. 81,507, and in 1928 also joined the SS, membership no. 17,831. On December 11, 1931 he was made Sturmbannarzt (Chief Medical Officer of a Sturmbann unit) of the 3rd Sturmbann of SS-Standarte 37. On January 30, 1933 Jordan was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain equivalent). In 1934 the NSDAP was outlawed in Austria, which led to Jordan being prosecuted. He was fined 1,000 Austrian Schillings and spent two days in prison. His NSDAP affiliation also brought great difficulties in practicing his profession. However, Jordan has been described in official documents as deeply steeped in the Nazi ideology, and one of the first medical professionals to join the movement. He participated in all legal and illegal rallies in Austria, and twice at the Nuremberg Rally. After the Anschluss Jordan was made Leader of the SS-San. Abteilung (Medical Detachment) VIII in Linz on June 1, 1938. Shortly after he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer (Major equivalent) on November 9. Interestingly, during the war Jordan served with at least one Heer unit in the Wehrmacht, and not in the SS. In July of 1941 he was the Stabsarzt (Staff Surgeon, Captain equivalent) of the Staff of Infantry Regiment 522, which at the time had just been deployed to the southern part of the Eastern Front. Jordan had applied for the Golden Party Badge as early as 1938, but due to him being in the field since August 1939 (according to his own testimony), as well as several problems with forms being lost in the mail he only received the badge on November 20, 1941. Jordan was part of the Wehrmacht and the Heer until January 20, 1944. Afterwards he was presumably sent home. The final known detail about his career is him being appointed as Gau Department Leader for National Health on July 18, 1944, yet no further details were given.