Page "Sturmabteilung" Paragraph 7

A permanent group of party members who would serve as the Saalschutz Abteilung ( hall defense detachment ) for the DAP gathered around Emil Maurice after the February 1920 incident at the Hofbräuhaus.

There was little organization or structure to this group.

The group was also called the Ordnertruppen around this time.

More than a year later, on 3 August 1921, Hitler redefined the group as the " Gymnastic and Sports Division " of the party ( Turn-und Sportabteilung ), perhaps to avoid trouble with the government.

It was by now well recognized as an appropriate, even necessary, function or organ of the party.

The future SA developed by organizing and formalizing the groups of ex-soldiers and beer hall brawlers who were to protect gatherings of the Nazi Party from disruptions from Social Democrats and Communists.

By September 1921 the name Sturmabteilung was being used informally for the group.

Hitler was the official head of the Nazi Party by this time.