An historically important  Blood Order being the only known surviving Blood Order to one of the (12)  Kommanders of SA-Regiment München, Fritz Ebenböck. Blood Order recipient Ebenböck is most notable for leading his men to the Feldherrnhalle (directly behind Adolf Hitler and his leaders), during the ill-fated Putsch of 9th November 1923.

The first pattern Blood Order with the impressed recipient’s number ‘773,’ the ‘990’ silver content number, and manufacturer name, Feuss, München, in relief. The Blood Order complete with its silk buttonhole ribbon in black, white & red.

Condition report: The Blood Order showing some light use overall, with light polishing to the disc. The buttonhole ribbon showing wear, particularly around the buttonhole.

Profile of Ebenböck: Fritz Ebenböck joined the SA on 11th November 1922, joining with membership number '9 662.' He was promoted to Kommander of 11.Kompanie, SA-Regiment München in 1923. As Kommander of 11.Kompanie, he participated in the 8/9 November 1923 Putsch.

When the SA was reformed in 1926, Ebenböck re-joined with the new membership number, '45 004.' Rising quickly within the SA, Ebenböck was promoted to SA-Obersturmbannführer. By 1934, he also held the high NSDAP rank of Reichshauptstellenleiter, by 1936 he'd been invited by Himmler to join the SS. Upon joining the SS Ebenböck was immediately assigned corresponding rank, and further to receiving the SS Honour Sword, and SS Honour Ring in 1942, he was promoted to Standartenführer, and thereafter to Oberführer (1943).

Ebenböck’s part in the Putsch 8/9 November 1923: As Kommander of the 11.Kompanie.SA-Regiment München, Ebenböck and his Kompanie assembled at the Rosenheimer Strasse in readiness to march. It was noon before Hitler and his leadership started the march. At the front was Hitler, along with his immediate leadership which included Ulrich Graff, Hermann Kriebel, Friedrich Weber, Hermann Göring and others. Stosstrupp Adolf Hitler were positioned directly behind The Leadership, followed by the 12 Kompanies which made up SA-Regiment München. Further down the line of marchers, in order of priority, was the Infanterieschule, Oberlander, plus a gathering of other units of sympathisers.

The marchers went down the Zweibrucken where enthusiastic supporters brandished swastika flags. The marchers moved through the Isartor Gate, up the Tal, and towards the Feldherrnhalle where the police had formed a block. One policeman shot at the marchers, resulting in a burst of gun-fire from both sides. Immediately by-standers rushed into doorways for protection, whilst the marchers, many with frontline experience, dropped to the ground. Only those marchers at the front, including the Kompanies of SA-Regiment München, realised what had occured.

As firing stopped, and amidst the chaos of the moment, Ebenböck, and the other Kommanders rallied their men in an effort to move them away from the area as quickly as possible, with the police in pursuit, arresting any marchers in sight. Over the coming days many Putschists escaped to Austria, or stayed with friends or family in rural areas to evade arrest and imprisonment. It is unknown if Ebenböck escaped to Austria, or remained in Germany. He was however one of the first to re-join the NSDAP when it re-formed in 1926.  

Additional notes: Ebenböck is detailed in John Dörnberg’s definitive publication on the Putsch, Munich 1923. Dörnberg states Ebenböck was born in Regensbury on 3rd March 1901. He was an engineering student and served with 11.Kompanie. SA-Regiment München. Dörnberg confirms Ebenböck was living in Munich (1982).

Provenance: The Ebenböck Blood Order is photographed and described in the definitive book on the SS, Inside The Allgemeine-SS (p 282).