DRGM stands for the Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster as well as Deutsches Reichsgeschmacksmuster. Both types were officially registered, as explained on the Musterschutz page. Let me emphasise this: GEBRAUCHSmuster is the protection of an item due to its use (mechanical/haptics) while GESCHMACKSmuster is the protection of a design (form/shape/appearance/pattern).
For collectors:
During the Allied occupation until 1949, the registration procedures remained untouched and the DRGM registration documents were still used. The registration itself was valid for three years, which explains why DRGM marks can be found on products actually manufactured up to 1952. From the end of October 1952, registered articles were marked with the term Deutsches Bundesgebrauchsmuster (DBGM).
It is important to remember that neither the DRGM nor the DBGM registration actually represent a full patent, even though the application had to be filed with the Patent Office. The main reason for this misconception is either a misunderstanding or an incorrect translation: In colloquial language, the original DRGM registration was often referred to as "Kleines Reichspatent" (literally "small imperial patent"). This was however more a tongue-in-cheek remark, referring to the fact that many manufacturers simply could not afford to register a real full patent, as German patent registration fees were more than twice as high as those in England and even 36 (!) times higher than those in the United States. Full patents are always represented by the Deutsches Reichspatent mark, sometimes abbreviated as "DRP" or "RP".
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