What Are RZM Codes?
If you've spent any time collecting German Third Reich militaria, you've almost certainly come across an RZM code. These markings appear on a huge range of original items, from daggers and belt buckles to party badges, uniforms and leather equipment.
The Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM), or National Quartermaster's Office of the NSDAP, introduced these codes to identify approved manufacturers producing equipment for the Nazi Party. Every approved manufacturer was allocated a unique number, while the prefix (such as M1, M4 or M7) identified the type of item being produced.
For collectors today, RZM codes are an invaluable research tool. They allow us to identify who made an item, where it was manufactured and, in many cases, help distinguish original pieces from modern reproductions.
How to Read an RZM Code
At first glance, an RZM code can look confusing, but it's actually quite simple once you understand how it works.
Take the code M7/30 as an example.
- M7 tells us the item is a dagger.
- 30 identifies the approved manufacturer.
Looking this up in the relevant list tells us the dagger was produced by Gebrüder Grafrath of Solingen-Widdert.
Another example is M4/120.
- M4 identifies the item as a belt buckle.
- 120 identifies the manufacturer as Karl Hensler, Pforzheim.
If that same code appeared on an NSDAP party badge instead of a belt buckle, alarm bells should immediately ring — party badges should carry an M1 prefix rather than M4. Understanding these prefixes is one of the quickest ways to spot obvious mismatches on questionable items.
RZM Prefix Codes
| Prefix | Category |
|---|---|
| M1 | Insignia, Badges & Awards |
| M2 | Sub-contractors |
| M3 | Party emblems, flag rings, assorted smalls |
| M4 | Belt buckles |
| M5 | Uniform Accessories |
| M6 | Aluminium accessories |
| M7 | Daggers |
| M7H | Dagger sub-contractors |
| M8 | Metal accessories |
| M9 | Day / Party badges |
| M10 | Musical Instruments |
| M11 | NSDAP long service medals |
| M12 | NSDAP miniature long service medals |
Useful German Translations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A.G. | Company |
| Co. (Comp. / Cie.) | Company |
| Waffenfabrik | Weapons maker |
| Gebrüder (Gebr.) | Brothers |
| Brüder | Brothers |
| G.m.b.H. | Limited Company |
| Inh. | Including / associated with |
| Sohn | Son |
| Söhne | Sons |
| Witwe (Wwe.) | Widow |
| Wien | Vienna |
Browse the Full RZM Code Lists by Category
Use the links below to find the complete manufacturer list for each RZM category. Each page contains the full list of approved manufacturers, their codes and factory locations.
- M1 — Insignia, Badges & Awards
- M4 — Belt Buckles
- M5 — Uniform Accessories
- M7 — Daggers
- M9 — Day & Party Badges
- M2, M3, M11 & M12 — Remaining Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RZM stand for?
RZM stands for Reichszeugmeisterei, the National Quartermaster's Office of the NSDAP. It was responsible for approving manufacturers and controlling the production of many political and organisational items during the Third Reich.
What is an RZM code?
An RZM code is a manufacturer identification code stamped or marked onto an item. It tells collectors both the category of the item and which approved factory produced it.
What does the "M" mean on an RZM code?
The M prefix identifies the type of item. For example, M1 is used for insignia and badges, M4 for belt buckles and M7 for daggers. The number after the slash identifies the individual manufacturer.
Are RZM codes useful for identifying original items?
Yes. While an RZM code alone does not guarantee authenticity, it is one of the first things experienced collectors check. An incorrect prefix or a manufacturer code used on the wrong type of item can often indicate a reproduction or parts marriage.
Where are RZM codes usually found?
The location varies depending on the item. Daggers are often marked on the blade or crossguard, belt buckles on the reverse, leather equipment on the leather itself, and party badges on the reverse of the badge.
Did every German military item have an RZM code?
No. RZM codes were primarily used on NSDAP and political organisation equipment rather than standard Wehrmacht military equipment. Many Army, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine items instead carry military acceptance marks or manufacturer logos.
Why do collectors care about RZM codes?
Many collectors specialise in particular manufacturers or try to complete sets from a single maker. RZM codes also help establish provenance and can add interest to an otherwise common item.
Are all RZM code lists complete?
No. Although decades of research have identified the majority of manufacturers, some codes remain unknown or are still debated within the collecting community. As new original items continue to surface, our understanding of certain codes continues to improve.
