Brian Wolfe

Hello fellows,

I have one of the round types and while I don't collect Nazi German items I do think mine is the real deal. I purchased it or got it in trade (long time ago, short memory) and put it with some odds and ends of German items. The eagle is more like the example in the diamond shaped specimen and the Nazi symbol in the small circle is missing the white enamel but is on a black background and not the white as in your photo. The date is 1944 and the number in the boarder is 6 rather than 4 as in your photo. Mine is showing what I believe actual age and not artificial aged. The overall colouration of mine is rather dark and not like-new. The areas that I believe were white are now a copper colour. I've always wondered what these were issued for but since I don't collect German I just filed it away under "etc." in my collection. If anyone knows what these were given out for I would like to know.

Cheers

Brian

P.S. It would not be the first time I've been fooled.

Hello Larry,

I have no idea what CT would stand for either but I can vouch for the seller. I have purchased several medals from him in the past year both on line and privately and have been 100% satisfied. In fact the bulk of my India collection was purchased from him.

You can always reasearch the medal later, knowing that it's the real deal.

Cheers

Brian

I've seen these before and often though that they were a odd topic for an item to be made out of china. I can't help with the history of the item but it is interesting to look at a WW I tank and think that when this piece was manufactured such tanks were the leading edge of military technology. Compaired with today's tanks they were lumbering targets for the German gunners. I think the Germans called them "Tommy Roasters". But still they were the Stealth Bombers of their day.

Cheers

Brian

I don't have a source for this - long since lost the book - but the back of my mind is saying "Malaysia / Indonesia", based on the shape of the blade and the very square scabbard. Are you sure it's Chinese? Also, the handle looks like it would be very hard to hold for any useful work, so I'm guesing it's a souvenir piece, not a pukka weapon. Still very classy looking, though.

My tuppence worth.

Peter

Hi Peter,

You are right on the money. In my youth (long since past) I have owned several of these pieces and they are indeed made for the tourist trade though they are quite impressive.

Regards

Brian

Hi Kevin,

I think you have hit the nail on the head. If Canadians want to keep such items in our country, and we should, we must be prepared to purchase the items outright. Far too often we tend to complain that our heritage is being sold and then it resides outside of the country, however, we are not prepared to do anything about it. It is easier to claim that the government must pass laws to do what we are too lazy or cheap to do for ourselves as private citizens. There must be organizations within Canada who can raise such a fund to purchase and preserve such items.

Ok, I've vented and now I've calmed down (caffine level is low).

Regards

Brian

I look at it more as a matter of living and breathing history. Most people couldn't care less about this topic and so a little education is in order when I wear my outfit. I always share stories so that their memory can live on, etc. That is all. Kids love it and so on.

I didn't even think about the acting part. Techincally, all actors should be subject to arrest when they play someone in the military from this point on..

You make a good point.

Brian

Hi Yank44,

I don't think the wearing of another man's medals is proper regardless of relationship. I would no sooner wear my father's medals than I would want my own son to wear my "retired" badge. There are many ways to show pride in one's ancestors without the wearing of their medals and awards. I know this is off the topic of the "letter of the law" but I felt I should offer this up as a matter of principal. Whether the law would allow it or not the medals belong to another person for service and deeds they performed.

Perhaps I'm being a bit too stuffy but that's how see it.

Brian