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Luftwaffe
Page 15
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Luftwaffe 2nd Model Officer’s Dagger by F.W. Höller (Item LUFT 15-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a fine Luftwaffe dagger with hangers and portepee. It has the rather deep-orange-colored grip that everyone looks for. The grip is unchipped top or bottom; the blade is okay with a couple of slight bits of pitting; we repeat, slight. It’s still better than most we have offered; very acceptable to even the most fastidious collector. The scabbard is dark gray and that is how F.W. Höller made them. There are no dings, no rust, no pitting. Now the only problem!!! The hangers have a buckle missing; a bona-fide wartime casualty. Otherwise, it’s in good shape with soft-velvet backing. The knot, or portepee, is in good shape. So we have here a good, honest dagger with a little war wound; however, we will sell it without the hangers, if you prefer; or with the hanger (your call). I'd recommend the hanger for the difference; after all, that is the way it was captured. It is still a great piece of history.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Luftwaffe 2nd Model Officer’s Dagger by Horster (Item LUFT 15-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a fine example of a Horster Solingen Luftwaffe officer’s dagger with the very-much-desired deep-orange grip. This is the typical E & F Horster model. The scabbard is gray with original coloration and it needs a good cleaning as some oxidation is discernible (we don't clean them). The blade is good, but not brilliant; however, no nicks, no rust, no pitting. It’s just average good! The grip has had a tiny field repair at its base. This is where so many of them get chipped when the pommel is turned too tightly. There is a slight crack also at the top of the grip under the pommel; this is nearly unnoticeable. It's a dagger with honest wear, but still nice and handsome.
PRICE: SOLD |
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SMF Luftwaffe 2nd Model Officer’s Dagger (Item LUFT 15-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is that grip that everyone seeks: the deep-orange hue, almost brownish orange; very rich looking. This choice dagger is by SMF Solingen. This translates to Solingen Metallwarren Fabrik (Stücker & Company). The dagger is in top condition. The blade is bright with the typical minute abrasions; almost undetectable. The grip is almost perfect with a very tiny crack where the grip meets the ferrule. It's almost not worth noting. The back in the grip is sort of lighter orange leading us to believe that the front may have turned color when being worn constantly by the wearer in the sun. The scabbard is gray in coloration with a tiny bit of anodizing discoloration; again, nothing that will not clean up. This is a very handsome second model, indeed, regardless of the slight honest wear.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Second-Model Luftwaffe Dagger with White Grip (unmarked) (Item LUFT 15-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This second-model Luftwaffe dagger is unmarked, but from experience we would believe it to be by WKC, mostly because of the hilt fitting being rather unmistakable. These fittings have an aluminum tone, being slightly brighter on the high spots. The grip is a perfect off-white example. Although most collectors like the orange and pumpkin orange grips, the Luftwaffe officers usually preferred the white. The scabbard is also in fine condition and is in airplane-gray coloration with good pebbling. The blade is near mint in rating with 100 percent cross graining. The tip is needlelike. This is a very fine Luftwaffe dagger in excellent collectable condition. It’s excellent plus, plus, plus. Don’t miss this one.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Luftwaffe Dagger with Etched Personalized Blade (Item LUFT 15-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This one has practically everything going for it: 1. Deep-orange grip highly desirable to collectors 2. E. Pack and Sohn maker; one of the scarcest of the makers of Luftwaffe daggers 3. Deeply-etched blade with Luftwaffe eagle of the early “Legion Condor style” 4. Entire dagger is in a grade that can best be described as ‘near mint’ 5. Blade is etched with the name of the former Luftwaffe officer Obviously we are proud of this one, and well we should be. It is a gem! The name etched on the blade is “Major Helmuth Freund.” We don’t have any listings of Luftwaffe officer personnel. If anyone out there can help with this we would most appreciate it. The dagger’s in immaculate condition. This one has the small logo similar to the dagger shown to the right on page 194 of Thomas Wittman’s book Exploring the Dress Daggers of the German Luftwaffe. The scabbard bands are extremely fine on E. Pack daggers as is the ball-top pommel. The etched blade has the basic standard pattern used in various blades by the other Solingen companies. Note the pattern in the Emil Voos dagger in Wittman’s book on page 266. The eagle is most definitely of the distinctive Condor Legion variety and this indicates to us that Major Freund may well have been one of the legionnaires who fought the red scum in the late 1930s in Spain. All in all, you are looking at a beautiful dagger and a very important relic of the glory days of the Deutsches Luftwaffe. PRICE: SOLD |
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Photo Album from Luftwaffe Enlisted Man (Item LUFT 15-6; ALBUM 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is the typical deluxe-issue photo album that was compiled by and issued by the NS war-wounded organization to soldiers of the Wehrmacht. The first pages are filled with pictures of Hitler, Göring, the admirals, field marshals, and great black-and-white photos from the early campaigns and various stages of the war. The various combat and campaign medals are given two pages. Then there is the Ehrentafel or recording pages for the individual soldier to enter his personal private information regarding his service experience. Then there are pages for the individual to add his personal pictures. This starts out with this man’s experience while a member of the NSFK, the Glider Corps of the NS official party groups. There are 15 rare pictures of him and friends taken while indulging in the aero antics associated with this enjoyable pursuit. This was connected with early training of future pilots in defiance of the shameful Versailles Treaty. Later, we see him piloting a twin-winged WWI-style Fokker airplane. There re several pictures of him with his comrades in various duties and R&R. Some of his superior officers are shown, as well, drinking beer, cavorting with other pilots, map reading, flight suits of various kinds, etc. In the back are two pictures of Luftwaffe ceremonies featuring Air Marshal Milch, but unfortunately this picture is damaged as is another with officers about to review enlisted personnel. Tucked into the back of the book are several pictures in large format--6 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches--from that review that are also damaged, and there is a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch photo of a Luftwaffe funeral cortege with a wreath from the “Führer” being carried and last but certainly not least a flyer navigation map of Germany issued by British Petroleum (BP). This is folded in several parts and has the BP emblem with a color illustration of a fleet of early German aircraft with swastika hovering over Europe. The album measures 9 1/4 by 12 inches and is bound in simulated leather. The NSFK pictures are worth the price of the whole package. They are that rare. This Ehren-Chronik is one of the best German albums that we have ever seen.
PRICE: $355.00 |
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Operational Flying Clasp for Bomber Squadron Award (Item LUFT 15-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a bomber clasp in pristine condition. It was awarded for 20 operational flights by a member of a bomber or dive-bomber (Stuka) squadron. Flying personnel eligible for these clasps were pilots, observers, bombardier, wireless operators, flight mechanics, air gunners, war correspondents as well as members of the navigation corps. The number of flights was the determining factor in the granting of the award: 20 flights = bronze 60 flights = silver 110 flights = gold An operational flight was counted it penetrated a minimum of 30 kilometers behind enemy lines or if the enemy was engaged. This award was initiated Jan 30, 1941. A special fighter bar in solid gold with diamonds and with a platinum wreath with crossed swords was awarded to Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel in April of 1944. It was in recognition of this hero’s 2,000 operational flights. It was given only once and to this Teutonic warrior and my personal friend. PRICE: $385.00 |
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WWI Bavarian Pilot’s Badge (Bayern Flyer Flugzeugführerabzeichen) (Item LUFT 15-8; WWI 9-17; KMEDAL 4-21) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This beautiful example was made by Karl Pöllath of Schrobenhausen, the only known maker of Bavarian pilot’s badges. The badge is beautifully constructed of two pieces soldered together with a rayed back. The workmanship is superb with no visible seam between the two halves. The pin is semiflat and tapers to a point. The securing hook is slightly rounded and has one weep hole below the bottom clasp (this is important to originality). The hinge for the pin of the barrel pattern and is correctly recessed into a hollow at the back of the crown, which follows the crown shape, unlike Prussian badges. The center is on the back has the inscription “Karlpöllath Schrobenhausen Silber” in three lines. Note that the maker’s name has no space as if it’s one word. The badge measures 74 mm high and 45 mm wide. The beautiful badge is in perfect, near-mint condition and has exquisite detail with all the silver frosting intact. This would become easily the pride of your collection.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Prussian Pilot’s Badge by C.E. Juncker, Berlin (Item LUFT 15-9; WWI 9-18; KMEDAL 4-22) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a very nice example of the Prussian badge for pilots of WWI. It’s of early light-weight construction with C.E. Juncker marking on a plain back without rays. It has deeply struck stamping with half moon and crown plus ‘800’ for silver content. It has the barrel-pin holder device, proper weight, correct pin, and size. It’s 100-percent original and ultra-fine! This badge was more of a skills insignia and not strictly an award. It was not automatic that a new pilot would be issued his badge upon completion of flight training. During the war a man was expected to have completed some actual combat flying before his pilot’s badge would be presented to him. Many pilots flew active combat missions without having been “awarded” their pilot’s badge. These are very scarce and always desirable in the collecting field. This one is a prime example.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Prussian (German) Flight Observer’s Badge (Item LUFT 15-10; WWI 10-1; KMEDAL 4-23) |
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| DESCRIPTION: One of the most prolific makers of Prussian flight badges was C. E. Juncker of Berlin. This is one of the highest-quality badges offered by this firm as all of these badges were private purchases. The quality of the badge was dependent on what the purchaser could afford. The backing plate on Juncker badges is marked “C.E. Juncker Berlin” with a half moon and ‘800’ indicating silver content. Even under high magnification the stamps are clear and sharp. Note that the crescent moon is solid; not merely an outline. The detail and quality of this rayed-back example are exceptional. The badge is constructed of two pieces soldered together with a rayed back, which is visible from the front. Even with a jeweler’s glass at high magnification, no seam is visible. The obverse of the badge is highly detailed and retains much of the original silver frosting. The army corps flag device is silver plated and brass filled with an orange-red enamel, which is typical for Juncker badges. The hinge on the reverse is of the “barrel” pattern and is correctly recessed into the back of the crown. The pin is slightly rounded and blunted at the end. The securing hook is rounded with one weep hole to the right of the bottom clasp. The smooth areas of the reverse are flawless with no casting marks or pitting (a feature of an original badge). Of note is the shape of the bottom bow as seen from the reverse. Original Juncker badges have a distinct “duck feet” appearance. This example measures 72 mm high and 46 mm wide. The badge is in incredibly good shape throughout; almost mint. You’ll never see a fine example. We are most proud to offer it.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Issue of a German Newspaper with the V1 Rocket Featured (Item LUFT 15-11) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is rare! This is an issue of the Cologne newspaper from August 1944, with a story and pictures of the weapon that if used earlier could have won the war. Unfortunately it was too little too late. This is a very special issue and has some other great articles and pictures as well to include an article about General Major Graf Sirchwitz, who was a winner of the Knight’s Cross with oak leaves and swords.
PRICE: Sold |
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Stickpin of the Academy for Aeronautical Research (Item LUFT 15-12 & PINS 4-30) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This stickpin is not the official miniature badge as shown in the Guide to Third Reich German Awards, second edition on page 204 although it is of the same dimensions. It's probably the finest detailed stickpin we have ever seen. You can almost count the feathers that are in the wings of the eagle. The piece is obviously die struck in silver and is marked ‘800’ on the reverse. This pin is evidently the only insignia that could be worn by employees and research staff on civilian clothing, and also by persons who provided donations and support were considered sponsoring members. It is thought that one did not have to be a recipient of the actual membership badge to wear this pin. Only the one was employed in the aeronautical industry might authorize the wearing of this piece of fine jewelry for membership was regarded as a high distinction and something that everyone involved in the various air research services worked to achieve. Membership is not confined to Germans, but embraced distinguished foreigners as well. Among these were Italian, Finnish, Bulgarian, and Japanese aeronautical experts. Sponsoring members’ badges, which this seems to be, was in silver, but without the leaf chain as seen on the full-sized badge. This is a very rare item. The badge for full membership was in gold, while this stickpin was in silver. The ‘800’ silver marks are seen on the back along with the seal of the academy.
PRICE: $435.00 |
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Luftwaffe Cufflinks (Manschettenknöpfe) (Item LUFT 15-13) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a set of cufflinks worn by Luftwaffe officers when in evening dress. They are high-grade pieces of jewelry, hand finished, and die struck in Alpacca, which is German silver or nickel-silver in Germany. Originally a grade mark of Berndorf AG they are clearly marked with the ‘Alpacca’ wording and there is a logo that looks like the one used by Berndorf (Krupp-Berndorf?). The links are almost an inch from side to side and about a half inch deep. The shanks are where the markings are. The mobile end pieces are art deco-looking and are attached to the shank with a metal closure fastener. They are quite handsome and the eagle is nicely detailed on a pebbled background. This is rare and important to WWII air-war collecting.
PRICE: $1,250.00 for the set |
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| DESCRIPTION: Okay, collectors, here it is! This is possibly the mother of all Luftwaffe albums; big, big, big and interesting as all get out! It is chock full of pictures, mostly Luftwaffe with a few army pictures thrown in. The album belonged to a former Luftwaffe member by the name of Helmut Mint, who had put it together while in the service and after he returned from being a prisoner of war. It's interesting that he begins his album with a magazine picture of Hitler and Helmut’s chief, marshal Hermann Göring. The album ends at the back cover with a picture of Helmut standing in the doorway of a prisoner hut (POW) and with this are two prisoner certifications from the US Army and the German postwar government. What we find so interesting and humorous in a way is that Helmut also attached a card from the luxury Hotel de la Providence in Brussels, where he evidently stayed during the time when Belgium was occupied. I bet he was thinking about the vast difference in comfort and accommodations of the hotel and the POW compound he stayed in. The album measures 12 x 16 inches. The cover has a silvered “Soldatenkopf” (soldier bust) in the upper right, while a silver Luftwaffe eagle is glued to the middle. A relative of Helmut told us he (the relative) glued this eagle back on when the family decided to let the album go. They had removed it during the nightmare occupation years. Because Helmut was a good NS follower, he would have wanted this. We exhaustingly counted about 680 pictures and a campaign map in the center. This man was in all the action and was stationed all over the world's war zones. The album traces his career all the way from early recruit photos up through his actual induction into the Luftwaffe. It includes his training, his officers, his pets, his comrades, his stations in Germany, monuments of Germany's past kings and leaders such as Karlsruhe Speyer, Worms, the Eiffel Forest, Koblenz, and many other places he visited while in the Luftwaffe. There is a special officers’ meeting of top brass. On one of the pages there are other ceremonies and high-level conferences. There's a great picture of an NS parade in Münster. The European map includes areas and cities he was stationed in or visited such as Reims, Verdun, Antwerp, Lüttich, Gent, and many others. He evidently had many friends and relatives in other services and many pictures of them are seen within. This Herr Mint had the thoughtfulness to label most of the pictures in white pencil so one can follow most of the action and war damage woefully shown as the pages go on. There are interesting pictures of the Ostend fortifications, and the destruction at Dunkirk is shown graphically. If only the Germans had effectively finished the job here the war would have had a far different outcome. Pictures as St. Olmer show the graves of fallen English soldiers and English POWs being marched off to work details. There are pictures of the seaside at Bologna and many pictures of the Holland campaign, and more officers with their K9 mascots. There are many shots of Luttish and World War II damage. This was this scene of fierce bloodletting in World War I. There are some great pictures of Luftwaffe artillery batteries and artillery positions being set up. There are a great group of poses of Luftwaffe officers. It goes on and on with great pictures of men and equipment. While most of Mint’s service time in World War II was in Belgium, Holland, and France, he was also stationed in Russia (Minsk) and there are many pictures of this area and the people, and buildings such as the House of the Red Army. There are quite a few pictures of German armed forces personnel inspecting the aftermath of the fighting there. There is a page devoted to a friend who fell in combat in July of 1941. He was in Artillery Regiment 257. The last pictures are of the grave of this soldier, who was a good friend of Helmut, our album’s owner. This is the largest military photo album we have ever seen. The condition of all the pictures is good plus, and the album covers are quite worn and kind of beat up, but it could be restored with some tender loving care. Some of the pages have torn loose from the string that holds the album together, but this also can be fixed. The important part is the pictures; most of which are very historically important. This is a great collection of vintage photos and should be preserved. You will do well to add this to your collection because they aren't making any more of them.
PRICE: SOLD |
Page Fifteen |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
