Stan

I have personally studied three P/O badges with diamonds of excellent provinence, all of which were hallmarked "585" below the hinge. Whether the eagles were made from white gold or platinum is not known by me as none bore a hallmark on the eagle. Whether or not duplicates were allowed to be ordered by the recipient is something that we do not as yet know, but if it was possible to re-order other top awards (Oakleaves Swords and Diamonds springs to mind), why not the P/O badge? Stan

The person in question had at the time of his death amongst other decorations, and I quote: Drei Goldene Parteiabzeichen ganz aus gold Drei Pilotenabzeichen, Adler in Brillianten gefasst ganz aus Gold und Platin This of course means that the above did not include an IMIT piece. Where the recipient obtained the other two pieces is, at this moment in time, pure speculation, but he did have them. Stan

Just to add a bit more information to the subject I can advise you that some recipients had more that two badges (the presentation badge plus the IMIT badge). I have documentary evidence which states that one recipient had three P/O badges with diamonds as well as numerous other badges in duplicate. This therefore begs the question whether or not some of the badges we are seeing are privately purchased jewellers copies, and if so, there would be no problem in having them engraved with the recipients names. Stan

Thanks guys. I've changed my mind and think I'll keep it after all. Regards, Stan

This is a cross I bought approx 15 years ago. I must admit that I prefer crosses with a lighter colour and broad tapering pin. Is it an original example? I think that it probably is. Comments welcome. Stan

Adrian Forman sold a number of Lutz's awards in 1994. They included Reichskultursenat badge in it's case; Rider's badge in Bronze; GPB; Red Cross Neck Cross with oakleaves and WWI Wound Badge in Silver. Apparently they were removed from the houshold of Frau Lutz by a British Army Unit in 1945. Stan

I started collecting TR over 40 years ago. I had started collecting British Cap Badges but became interested when I was given a German Police Cap Badge and an Iron Cross. Over the years I've had plenty of fakes which I have got rid of and I suppose the fact that there are good fakes out there makes us research the pieces we buy even more carefully. It has certainly made me learn to speak and read German because I subscribe to 3 German magazines on medals and awards and have every "INFO" magazine from issue 1. As Rob says, clever fakes are around in almost every collecting field. I have a friend in Germany who used to collect lead model cowboys and indians but has stopped because of the fakes from Eastern Europe. Stan

Here are some shots of the case. Stan

These are photos of a nice early (I think) KVK 1st Class which is convex in shape and comes in a domed black case. The inside of the case is marked 2420 N D & B and the underside of the mount is marked 2597 D & B. I presume that this Cross is a Deschler as it is marked "1". Is it original? Stan

Stijn, What info I can offer you is that the cross you show is very probably a 1937 issue cross which has had the Nazi eagle added by the maker. This was common practice and if you look in the wreath area you will see the 1937 eagle underneath. Stan

Joe, Can you please post photos of your AH GBP? Otherwise email them to me and I'll post them. Stan

Joe, When the Gauschatzmeister, named Hoellerich, returned 2 GBP's "mit Knopf" to the Reichsleitung der NSDAP, he simply requested "2 Ehrenzeichen mit Nadel". He did not specify which type of pin fitting was preferred. I have seen photos of one of these 2 replacement GBP's and it had a horizontal pin. Stan

Gordon, I have re-read all the research info which Bob Coleman sent me and can inform you that Kunstmann was an Oberpostinspektor in the Reichspost. His political rank in Gauleitung Franken was Gaustabsamtsleiter in Nuremberg. Whether or not he was in the DAF I do not know as my area of interest is purely medals and awards. Perhaps Bob Coleman can help? As a matter of interest, Kunstamann joined the NSDAP in 1925 and left in 1927. He re-joined in 1930 and was not entitled to receive the GBP because of the 3-year break. Letters were sent on his behalf to the Gauleiter of Franken for a retrospective issue which was denied. Kunstmann was advised to try again at a later date and his endeavours were finally rewarded by the award of the AH GBP on 30.1.1943. Now I have re-read the correspondence I see that Kunstamann initially received 3 large GBP's "mit Knopf" and 3 small GBP's "mit Knopf" for the total price of RM7,50. He returned 2 large size with button-hole studs with a request that he receive 2 large size GBP's with pins in their place. Stan

Joe, as you will see from previous postings on this thread, the large "button-hole" style AH GPB came from a uniform which is owned by Bob Coleman. Unfortunately for Bob, the badge was removed from the tunic before he bought it and he would very much like to reunite both one day. The badge is in my collection and Bob and I have read research on the original owner who was named "Adolf Kunstmann." Kunstmann received 5 large size AH GBP's in total and exchanged 2 button-hole versions for pin-back versions. I suppose that the two loops adjacent to the hole in the pocket are there so that the GBP with horizontal pin can also be worn on the tunic. Stan

This is not, strictly speaking, a Gau badge. Stan

1925 Stan

Matt, It took a long time for me to get around to posting these pics but better late than never! Stan

Fritz, Here is the hardware on my "Deschler" Case. Similar but different! Stan

Here is the logo + silver hallmark. The cigarette case is also silver hallmarked. Stan

Here is a badge and cigarette case which I picked up some time ago when I visited a German dealer. I never realised the badges were so controversial!! I often wonder how accurate the "awarded figures" really are. We are told that only 100 were awarded, but how reliable is this figure? Anyway, here are the items. The badge is marked with Meybauer's logo and I think that the pin is typical Meybauer also. The case is marked with the owner's name "Paul Meyer". Stan

Fritz, Thanks very much for sharing those photos. Have you noticed that Deschler pieces appear to have a slight flaw on the reverse? it is between the 9 and the 3 in "1939". I noticed it on yours and mine as well as the one shown in DN's book. The only other Gold Cross I ever saw was the Dodkins piece which was auctioned in 1987. It was stated that 8 were produced and two awarded. I seem to remember that Forman once sold a gold cross without swords. Stan

Jacques, Herewith are the shots you requested. Unfortunately my camera cannot take closer shots. Incidentally, the cross and ring weigh 12,3g. Stan

Chris, I beg to differ. In both the above book and also in Klietmann's book "Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945" he shows examples of pin-back Spanish Crosses with cut out swastikas as well as an Honour Cross for Next of Kin with a solid swastika. Why would Klietmann "crop" the Next of Kin and not the other Spanish Crosses? Maybe you are right and I am wrong but to me the pictures are quite clear. As well as Forman, Nimmergut and Niemann also show examples of the Honour Crosss for Next of Kin with solid swastikas. Stan

Fritz. That is a lovely Deschler piece you've got there! Here's my Deschler 900/1 cross without it's blue etui. Stan

Jacques, Interestingly, Klietmann shows an example without cut-out swastikas in his book "Deusche Auszeichnungen" printed in 1957. The example Forman shows in his book "Guide to Third Reich German Awards" Vol. 2 is the cross in my collection. Stan