The King's Resistance

[Claudius]

Hello;

Here is something that someone practically gave to me because they knew of my interest in "everything military".  I have to confess, I hadn't recognized it immediately.  I think our Danish citizens or collectors of Danish militaria will recognize it right away, but I haven't seen one like it in decades.

What it is;

the King's Emblem Pin for King Christian X of Denmark

The back ground is the Danish flag, the big "C" and smaller "x" for Christian X.  Born in 1870 and second date of 1945 for his 75th birthday.  There was also an earlier 1940 date for his 70th birthday and it came out just after the Germans occupied the country in WWII.

The pin is hallmarked on the back with "925 S" and the small cypher mark of Georg Jensen.  The designer of the pin was Arno Malinowski.

The pin became associated with passive resistance to German occupation due to the timing it came out and the circumstances.  The Danish king was not pleased to have the Germans in his country but agreed to it because their military situation was hopeless.  With his surrender he was able to remain the head of country and tried to protect his people.  He could be seen riding on his horse, without military escort, among his people in the city.  There are more of stories and actions found online.

For years, even after his death in 1947, the pin has become a symbol of the King's (and the country's) resistance to the occupation and will be to any occupation.

I have seen this small badge as a button hole device and cufflinks.

[paul wood]

Very nice thing to have you now need to get the 1940 version.

Paul

[Claudius]

Very nice thing to have you now need to get the 1940 version.

Paul

Shouldn't be too hard.  They're represented on ebay pretty well.

[Great Dane]

Claudius, you seem to have nailed the story behind it :-)

I can just add that they came in various versions (apart from the 1940/1945 versions), such as cuff links, lapel pins, 'chained' pins etc.

They also came in sterling silver with red enamel (like this one) or in gold with red and white enamel.

/Michael