*German, 1937, Third Reich NSKK Motorbrigade Hochland “Fahrt durch Bayerns Berge” Rally Plaque (Green Variant), Klotz & Kienast München*
An original 1937 NSKK rally radiator plaque (Kühlerplakette) issued for the motoring event “Fahrt durch Bayerns Berge” — Drive Through Bavaria’s Mountains — organised by Motorbrigade Hochland of the Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps (NSKK).
The plaque is of oval form with a distinctive green enamelled border bearing raised Gothic lettering reading: “Fahrt durch Bayerns Berge – Motorbrigade Hochland”. The central relief panel depicts a stylised Bavarian Alpine landscape with mountain peaks and a winding road, symbolising the scenic mountain routes travelled during the rally. Above the mountains appears the date 1937. Below the landscape is the NSKK winged eagle emblem carrying a banner inscribed “N.S.K.K.”, flanked by two finely detailed edelweiss flowers, traditional Alpine symbols closely associated with Bavarian mountain regions. Beneath the eagle appears the swastika within a wreath, forming the lower element of the NSKK insignia.
The reverse is plain and clearly stamped with the maker’s mark: “KLOTZ & KIENAST, MÜNCHEN”. Klotz & Kienast of Munich were a recognised manufacturer of rally plaques and insignia for National Socialist organisations during the 1930s.
These plaques were typically issued to participants of organised motoring rallies and were commonly mounted to the radiator grille of a vehicle, serving both as identification during the event and as a commemorative souvenir afterwards.
The green enamel border represents a recognised colour variant of this plaque. The more commonly encountered example features a red border, while surviving examples in green are believed to represent either a specific participant classification or a production variant of the same event plaque.
Approx. Measurements – Height: 7.8 cm. Width: 5.5 cm.
Historical Note:
The NSKK (National Socialist Motor Corps) was a paramilitary organisation of the National Socialist regime responsible for promoting motoring skills, mechanical training, and motorised transport preparedness among party members and civilians. During the 1930s the organisation regularly organised motoring rallies, endurance drives, and alpine touring events, which combined sporting competition with propaganda and demonstrations of German technical skill.
The event commemorated on this plaque — “Fahrt durch Bayerns Berge 1937” — was organised by NSKK Motorbrigade Hochland, the formation responsible for Bavaria and the Alpine regions of southern Germany. These rallies typically involved organised convoys of motorcycles and automobiles travelling through the dramatic mountain landscapes of the Bavarian Alps, often covering famous alpine roads and passes.
Participants were commonly issued commemorative plaques such as this example, which could be mounted to the vehicle’s radiator grille during the rally and retained afterwards as a souvenir of participation.
*Condition*
The plaque remains in good original condition, retaining much of its green enamel border with some minor age-related wear and small areas of enamel loss visible. The central relief remains well defined with clear detail to the NSKK eagle, edelweiss flowers, and wreath motif. The reverse retains a clear Klotz & Kienast München maker’s stamp. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
