John Burchell

Medal close-up, obverse and reverse (notice the crown detail and the "collared" rivets):

Here is another select award from my collection which I would like to share with fellow members for information and discussion. I have extensively researched this piece and present it as a genuine, period award in an original, period award case - a marriage that I arranged since they unfortuantely did not come together. The case bears an interesting story of its' own. It came to me from an estate settlement through a friend in Germany. The award case was empty, except for a small death notice cut from a period (Nov. 1941) German newspaper. The notice was for SS-Rottenfuehrer Herbert Kanzler. While I have not been able to find corroborating evidence to this effect, it is quite possible that the case (and the missing medal that it once contained) had been awarded to SS-Rottenfuehrer Herbert Kanzler. Rottenfuehrer Kanzler died on 26.09.1941 in Lushno in a Soviet/German offensive involving the German 2. Armee Korps, the northern flank of which was anchored at Lushno. On September 24th, under the control of SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Theodor Eicke, troops of the 3rd Panzer Division, Waffen-SS "Totenkopf" launched the offensive that drove the Russians out and led to Lushno being retaken on September 27th. It was here that Kanzler was killed-in-action. Interesting is that in December, 1939, members of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig were integrated into the SS-"Totenkopf" Division. I would like to believe, but cannot yet prove, that Rottenfuehrer Kanzler was tied to all of this and did, indeed, receive the Danzig Cross, 2nd Class while with the SS-Heimwehr Danzig. I will appreciate receiving any information or comments which can be offered. Thanks, John

Thanks very much, Rick and Chris, for your feedback and comments. The only two books that I have on award documents are the Forman book (Vol. 1, 1st edition) and the one by Emily Caldwell Stewart. While these books are not of great help in making a determination as to period authenticity, both do recognize and show examples of a specific SS award document for the Demjansk shield (pages 266 and 132 respectively) that appear identical in format to mine shown above. Stewart states: "Since the 3 SS-Panzer Division Totenkopf participated in this campaign, a special Demjansk Shield document was created for them. It was similar to other Demjansk Shield documents, but had the SS runes printed on it."

Close-up detail of Winterschlacht:

Close-ups of detail of Demjansk document:

Winterschlacht:

Here are two documents that I am hoping can be assessed by forum members as to whether or not they are genuine or reproduction. Unfortunately, I do not have the reference books nor the experience on points to watch-for to determine originality. Comments will be appreciated accordingly. 1. Demjanskschild. Measures 148mm x 210mm. Facsimile signature of General Graf Brockdorff and the verifying signature of an Oberleutnant that appears to be hand-signed in ink. It bears the stamp of the Gen. Kdo. Second Army Corps. The paper of this document is a lighter quality versus the heavier card stock. 2. Winterschlacht im Osten. Measures 138mm x 195mm. Hand-signed signature of an SS-Untersturmfuehrer and a stamp of the SS-Totenkopf-Division. The paper is card stock variety. Thanks, John

View of die-cast lines (?) on round central portion and inner areas of cross:

Close-up view of the brazed closure at the bottom of the suspension loop:

Obverse, side view of suspension device:

Reverse view close-up:

Overall view of the reverse:

Another obverse view of upper area lettering:

Obverse close-up view of swastika detail:

Obverse angled view of lower arm detail:

Obverse closer-up:

Obverse view close-up:

Here is my 1st Class Luftschutz Civil Defense Decoration for viewing. It is my hope that forum members who are knowledgeable about this award will comment, insofar as possible, as to the authenticity. In that regard, I have done internet research on a few of the collector fora to try and establish this in my own mind and, while I have never actually seen one in-hand, I do consider this award to be a genuine, period original. Realizing that an in-hand assessment is best, for the purposes of this review I have taken photographs that I trust will fully show the required detail of the award and I will describe it accurately. The medal measures 38.6mm wide and 42.2mm from the top of the integral suspension device to the bottom. The moveable suspender is 8.5mm high and 3.5mm wide. I do not have a scale to determine the weight. There are no maker markings on the suspension ring or suspender. The "mobile" suspender is brazed together at the end of the loop which I have not observed on pictures of other such medals. The medal ribbon is original and passes the "black light" test. The medal retains almost all of the original fire-gilding overall to the matte, pebbled areas and the shiny, burnished-like areas on the exterior arms, lettering, numerals and swastika. The detail and lettering are clean and crisp. In one small spot where the fire-gilding has lifted and is missing from one of the arms a shiny, silvery base metal is visible which I assume to be a quality metal, but possibly either tomback or fine zinc - I am uncertain. I can find no definitive confirmation as to the metal or metals used in the production of this award. Nor can I find any definitive confirmation as to whether originals of this medal were stamped or die-cast. Mine does have certain features (slight visible lines) at the outside areas of the central, round portion; as well as on the exterior surfaces of the inside portions of the central cross. These I take as possible signs indicating that this cross was die-cast. They are hardly noticeable to the naked eye but can be seen under magnification. The more visible areas are smooth and the heavy gilding gives the medal an impressive appearance in-hand. I look forward to receiving opinions and comments that seek to confirm or refute the period authenticity of the award shown in this thread. With thanks in advance and best regards, John

Reverse view:

In researching my own medal, I was pleased to come across this thread which shows one that I believe has identical features. Mine is vaulted and has a "strawberry" background pattern under clear enamel. It is nickeled brass, as evident from wear to the high points of the crescent. It is of one-piece construction, as there are no rivets. The retaining device on the reverse is a horizontal pin, clasp and hinge. There are no maker marks, no silver mark and no crimp or other marks to be seen. I believe it to be either a well-made Turkish version of the award, or possibly an Austrian-type made in Austria under order from the Turkish authorities. The symbol in the upper, right segment of the obverse is slightly oval or "egg-shaped" versus round as observed on other manufacturer examples of this award. John

Nice catch "g"...and with a lower serial number than mine pictured above (now no longer in my possession). Congratulations. John

Excellent feedback! Thanks very much for the details. Best regards, John

Here is a beer mug that I picked-up this weekend. I believe it to be a souvenir mug either celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of this unit or perhaps a reunion of veterans from that unit 30 years after the end of WW2 in the Bavarian town of Freyung. It still bears the label of the manufacturer of the mug. Can anyone please offer some insight? Thanks, John

Thanks, Eddie. That's about as clear as it could be and resolves my confusion. Regards, John

Thanks, Kevin. Much appreciated. Knowing that this is a Belgian decoration and not French is has allowed me to search under the correct country! I have noted Hendrik's website for future reference. Interesting that my edition of Vernon's Guide lists this as being the 5th class medal, whereas Hendrick's site refers to it as being the 3rd class of this decoration. There are, indeed, five classes which include two crosses and three medals. Perhaps Hendrik or someone can verify the correct terminology/class of this medal, ie. 3rd or 5th class? John