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Hunting and Shooting in Germany
Page 7
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Dagger of the German National Hunting Association, Reichsbund Deutsche Jägerschaft (Item HUNT 7-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: The German National Hunting Association was a public sporting organization under the direction and control of the National Hunting Master, Hermann Göring. The primary objective of the association was to advance game conservation through the enforcement of its own and national hunting regulations. Göring was the natural pick to head this association as his favorite pastime was stalking game in the beautiful and plentiful forests of the German homeland. The dire need to closely regulate wild game has extended to present-day Germany. The prospective hunter then, and now, is required to undergo a rigid written examination and if successful his trips to the filed were highly supervised. The dagger we offer here is the regulation National Hunting Association knife authorized for wear by all members of the NHA. The individual was given the option of purchasing the regulation or the deluxe version from an authorized commercial marker or directly from the Solingen factories. The regulation pattern was authorized in 1936. Tom Johnson, in volume one of his book Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich, states that collectors’ availability was “rare,” and the book was published back in 1982. The example we offer is in near-mint condition with a beautiful etched blade by E&F Horster Solingen. The stag grip and green leather-covered scabbard are in 100 percent perfect condition. The large fluted clamshell guard is with fine patina. The cross guard is recurved with two deer hooves. The hunting-association insignia is an elk’s head with swastika centered between the antlers. The blade is etched with beautiful hunting scenes and motifs. This is just as fine an example of the most elegant NS edged weapons that you will ever encounter.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Dagger of the German National Hunting Association, Plain Blade (Item HUNT 7-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: The German National Hunting Association was a public sporting organization under the direction and control of the National Hunting Master, Hermann Göring. The primary objective of the association was to advance game conservation through the enforcement of its own and national hunting regulations. Göring was the natural pick to head this association as his favorite pastime was stalking game in the beautiful and plentiful forests of the German homeland. The dire need to closely regulate wild game has extended to present-day Germany. The prospective hunter then, and now, is required to undergo a rigid written examination and if successful his trips to the filed were highly supervised. The dagger we offer here is the regulation National Hunting Association knife authorized for wear by all members of the NHA. The individual was given the option of purchasing the regulation or the deluxe version from an authorized commercial marker or directly from the Solingen factories. The regulation pattern was authorized in 1936. Tom Johnson, in volume one of his book Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich, states that collectors’ availability was “rare,” and the book was published back in 1982. The example we offer is in near-mint condition with a beautiful etched blade by E&F Horster Solingen. The stag grip and green leather-covered scabbard are in 100 percent perfect condition. The large fluted clamshell guard is with fine patina. The cross guard is recurved with two deer hooves. The hunting-association insignia is an elk’s head with swastika centered between the antlers. This particular example is with plain hunting blade. On page 128 of the aforementioned book by Tom Johnson, he says, “The blades are usually etched with various hunting scenes and motifs although a plain-blade model was also available to the purchaser.” Actually, the plain blade is scarcer than the etched ones and to some, more desirable, since they were thicker bladed with a blood groove; made so that it could be used in a hunting kill. This example is definitely in fine condition and has the dark-green leather carry frog that is so dark it looks brown. The scabbard tip is also a bit different and looks like the type used on the deluxe model. Personally, I believe these pieces to be the most classic-looking daggers of the Reich.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Stickpin of the Deutscher Schützen-Verband (Item HUNT 7-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is the official German Shooting Organization membership stickpin worn by those citizens who were involved in competition shooting sports. It shows the black eagle with target rings and two swastikas between the letters. It was founded in 1937 by Göring. This was the only official government-sponsored shooting club.
PRICE: $125.00 |
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Tyrolean Shooting Badge Pin (Item HUNT 7-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Dime-sized, this is a beautiful little membership pin for the Standschützenverband in the Tyrolean town of Vorarlberg. It’s dated 1941, with the wonderful Tyrolean red eagle in the center. The back is marked Iche Aklammer Innsbruck (the Co.). It about the size of a U.S dime.
PRICE: $125.00 |
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Imperial Shooting Pokal Prize (Item HUNT 7-5; POKALS 1-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is one of the nicest little silver shooting goblets we have ever had the pleasure of owning. It’s a subject close to our hearts. We love these particular objects as no doubt the original winners and owners did. Of particular interest and value are the Schützenpokale for proficiency in the shooting sports. This was the major pastime of royals and landed gentry in the Kaiserzeit, or time of the German emperors in the Third Reich. It extended to the regular citizenry as well because of the efforts of such conservation-minded people such as Reichsmarschal and Master of the Hunt, Hermann Göring. The silversmiths of the Reich usually knocked themselves out in the production of these highly prized art pieces. This one is especially beautiful and highly chased and detailed. In the front-center panel is the national German eagle with the Hohenzollern eagle in the center of its chest. The crown of Prussia sits on its head. On the reverse side is the Munich Maid symbol surrounded by rifles, Jäger hat, target markers, etc. The sides and base are highly detailed with such depictions as grotesque faces, flora patterns, etc. The shield symbols of the various German states taking part in the shoot are also depicted. The name of this particular event is Siebentes Deutsches Bundes-Schiessen in München im Juli 1881 and this is found in raised form close to the top and midway around the body. The piece is numbered under the base and here is also found the maker and the required moon, crown, and ‘800’ silver designation. Without a doubt this is the finest and best we have ever encountered in this field. It measures 8 1/2 inches high with the opening being 4 inches wide. It’s in perfect condition throughout. The best of them are the delicate lightweight ones and this one fills the bill.
PRICE: $2,200.00; exceptional |
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Bronze Sculpture of Teutonic Hunter (Item HUNT 7-6; KSTATUE 3-11; ART 13-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: We have seen larger bronzes; we have seen bronzes by famous sculptors; we have seen bronzes that in themselves are famous; but, we have in all our years never seen a better bronze sculpture than this one. The artist who created this one was a master beyond comparison; an archeologist (at least in theory), and with a fantastic knowledge of human anatomy. Nothing touches this piece for sheer lifelike quality throughout. The statue is a depiction of an ancient Germanic warrior in the stance of hunting with bow and arrows. Every vein, every muscle tenses as he loosens the arrow at the game he hunts. He stands upon a rock formation that is also ultra-realistic. He wears animal-skin garments with an animal-skull necklace that adorns his chest. He has a sinew-wrapped stone-head ax at his waist. The quiver on his back and the bow are so realistic as to make the viewer sure that he has just seen the arrow in flight. The Aryan face and typical top-knot hairstyle is Teutonic in every way. These were the warriors that defeated three Roman legions at the Teutobergerwald battle under the leadership of Hermann, the Churisi, in the year 9 AD. We cannot say enough about this magnificent sculpture. It is in pure bronze with a great patina. It stands about 14 inches high and is signed by Henry Weisse. Note: it has always been said that when an artist can portray hands, “he has arrived.” Hands are more difficult in paintings and sculpture than a face. Even more difficult are feet. Look at the images of the feet to comprehend the excellence of Weisse’s work. We have included with the overall pictures a group of detailed images that should be studied closely. You are in my opinion looking at one of the finest bronzes to ever come out of the Deutsches fatherland. We don’t know when Mr. Weisse worked, but the piece was typical of the romantic bronzes of the mid 19th century. However, the theme of the noble Germanic warrior was foremost in the mythos of the NSDAP (Nazi Party) and it could be as late as that period. It is a true treasure and an important art masterpiece indeed. This is for the ultimate connoisseur of realism, he that would reject the garbage called “modern art” as so much Dreck and Kitsch.
PRICE: $9,850.00; should be much more |
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Hunting Horn (Item HUNT 7-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is the traditional hunting horn that was used by German sportsmen for centuries. It signaled the “Horrido,” the beginning of the hunt. It was used extensively in the Third Reich under the auspices of Hermann Göring, the Reich’s forest master. It became practically the symbol of the Teutonic hunt. This one is probably later than the NS Reich, but would be exactly the same as those employed then. The typical green leather carry strap is used.
PRICE: $250.00 |
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Target Prize for Excellent Shooting (1940) Luftwaffe? Hunting & Shooting and Luftwaffe (Item HUNT 7-8; LUFT 14-13) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is one of the famed targets that were given as prizes at shooting competitions. This one was won by a Jean Bratengeier. It’s signed by the artist in 1940, when it was presented. This was the Kriegsjahr 1940 (War Year 1940). It says: “Abschiessen,” meaning “shooting down,” “downwind?” “downward?” Inside the black bezel it says: “Wir kommen Schon.” This seems to translate to: “We’re already coming.” We believe all of this refers to the Battle of Britain, August 1940 to May 1941. The obvious look of these white-tailed eagles flying westward over water and toward the banks or cliffs (Dover?) we think says it all! The determined looks on the faces of the birds also serve to make this assumption feasible. The “shooting down” statement would suggest that Jean may have been a bombardier or belly gunner on a German bomber aircraft. In any case this is an important WWII art object and historic relic that would look great in any good collection of the Luftwaffe or general Wehrmacht items.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Saxon Hunting Knife, or “Weidepraxe” (Item HUNT 7-9; OLD 6-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a real museum piece (literally). This is the hunting knife of perhaps it should be called an ax. It was peculiar to the old Saxon hunters and was used for the chopping of the limbs of the larger game after the actual kill. Field dressing was done on the hunting trails by the servants of the hunter, who was usually of the nobility. There is an example of a similar specimen with scabbard in the Deutsches Klinginmuseum in Solingen. Thomas T. Wittman shows a picture of this piece in his book, Collecting the Edged Weapons of Imperial Germany. The Weidepraxe shown there is noted to have belonged to Hans Georg, Herzog zu Sachsen. This bears out our theory that it was the nobles and royalty who possessed these hunting weapons. A ‘Herzog’ is a duke which in continental Europe would be the male ruler of a duchy (the reigning sovereign in some cases). Saxony was at one time a duchy and thus this hunting weapon shown in Wittman’s book had belonged to the Saxon ruler. This established, we believe that the Weidepraxe that we offer here should be considered such a royal hunt appendage to, if not royalty, at least to Germanic landed gentry. The grip like the one in the book is iron with slabs of stag secured by large brass rivets that are sometimes covered with iron tabs in sun-ray design. The blade is of the heavy hewer type. When held in the hand one can sense how this weapon could smash easily through bone and sinew. We believe this piece is even earlier than the museum’s example. The centuries of age are evident when viewing the ancient pock marks. In any case, the style is standard with the shape and size and right down to the birdlike figure at the head of the cross guard. The piece is 19 1/2 inches long and the blade is 2 1/2 inches wide at its bottommost portion and 1 3/4 inches wide at the narrow portion under the guard. Serious collectors of German knives, daggers, and swords should consider investing in this museum piece as it is illustrative of the beginnings of Teutonic Germanic edged creations out of Solingen. It is extremely rare, but very reasonably priced.
PRICE: $1,895.00 |
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Massive Bronze Statue of a Germanic Hunter (Item HUNT 7-10; ART 14-3; KSTATUES 4-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a massive bronze sculpture of a Teutonic huntsman proclaiming the centuries-old announcement of the successful kill. This is a typical Germanic theme in sculpture, but we have never encountered an example this large or this fine. Here is bronze statuary at the zenith of perfection. Big? Yes. It measures 35 inches from the bottom of the base to the top of his head, and 40 inches from the bottom of the base to the tip of the hunting horn held aloft. The slain animal measures 15 inches long. The base is about 11 x 11 inches. His bow is about 30 inches long, and naturally this is a very heavy sculpture. The soft patina is excellent; no casting holes. This is an excellent bronze sculpture. It is signed “Eug. Morioton.” That would be Eugene Morioton, who worked in the 1880s in both France and Germany; an artist of note who specialized in action figures in Germanic and Grecian studies. What is depicted so dramatically is the young hunter who gives the hunter a cry of “Hallali!” This is the German hunting cry given at the end of the successful hunt. At the start of the hunt the Jäger call is “Horrido!” So “Hallali” and “Horrido” are mutually the “Waldmann’s call.” This hunter killed his prey with the bow and arrow he bears. He also has his hunting horn with which he will summon the other hunters to tell them of his success. Have you ever thought of having that one ultimate bronze sculpture; that centerpiece that you can be deservedly proud of? Here is the best! The price we offer it for would easily be triple that amount at a first-rate antique show or a Madison Avenue gallery. Here is great opportunity. Don’t miss it.
PRICE: $$15,000.00; extremely reasonable! |
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Carved Cigar Cutter (Item HUNT 7-11; GOR 8-11) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is one of the articles that have turned up in the area of Veldenstein, the castle that belonged to Hermann Göring’s adopted godfather, Hermann Ritter von Epenstein, a Christian of Jewish descent. Often it is said that the name Hermann was given to Göring to honor Arminius, who defeated the Roman legions at the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest. Hermann is the German name for Arminius; however, the name was far more likely chosen to honor his godfather von Epenstein. The young Göring admired—even worshipped—the older man. Ritter v. Epenstein sought always the trappings of the German aristocracy as well as the titles, thus setting the pace for his adopted godson. Hermann Göring tried to emulate the old knight in his every idiosyncrasy. Göring was partly raised and spent much of his childhood in the Ritter’s two magnificent castles: Burg Veldenstein in Bavaria, and Schloss Mauterndorf near Salzburg, Austria. Both castles were to be residences to the Göring family, their official caretakers until 1931, and both were tremendous influences on Göring’s childhood and fascination with military and romanticized notions of Germanic history. Both castles were also ultimately to be his property. Late in life Ritter v. Epenstein wed a singer, Lily, who was half his age bequeathing her his estate in his will, but requesting that she in turn bequeath the castles to his godson, Hermann, upon her own death. Göring often visited both Veldenstein and Mauterndorf during the 1930s and lived there part of the time all the way up into 1945. When it was obvious that the war was lost he shipped much of his treasures from Carinhalle and Romertin to Veldenstein. Göring hoped that a just reconciliation between the belligerent powers could be reached, and that his castles would be treated as private property, and he would be treated as a head of state and dealt with as the rules of civilized warfare dictate. This of course was not to be with haters such as Eisenhower and Churchill involved. So the castles obviously were to be robbed and sacked. Knowing this to be imminent the townspeople in the vicinities immediately upon the dismissal of the Luftwaffe guards descended upon the castles and stripped them bare of the articles that belonged to the Reichsmarschal, whom they still reverently referred to as “Unser Hermann,” and who can blame them? Why should they not do all in their power to save these priceless relics from the clutches of Ivan or GI Joe six pack? So here we have one of the art pieces that was “liberated” from Burg Veldenstein (thank goodness). We have negotiated several wonderful items from three families in the castles’ vicinity and one family that has a few things have introduced us to others and this is how we have been able to procure some significant items. This cigar cutter, however, is one of the most significant of all and quite gorgeous to boot. The carvings seen on the antler are very well executed and professional. It must have been one of the many such gifts bestowed upon him by an adoring public. The antler is about 10 1/2 inches long and is probably the tip of a huge rack from an elk. The one side shows such an elk in flight from the hunter’s gun. On the other side is a magnificent, carved German eagle presented in the style of the Reichsmarschal eagle minus the crossed batons. This eagle surmounts the “H.G.” initials. The carving is absolutely superb and stands out from the antler in exquisite detail and artistic perfection. It is a perfect example of the carving skills of the German folk. The cutting tool at the end is marked with a stamp and company logo. Göring and Heinrich Himmler were both smokers to the disdain of Hitler, who abhorred smoking. Goring is seen in pictures enjoying Cuban cigars and we have a cigar box of the Reichsmarschal’s favorite cigar at Item GOR 6-2. While in there you should read all the other write-ups about this phenomenon of our times. He truly was the modern-day Falstaff.
PRICE: $8,900.00 |
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Carved Cigar Cutter (Item HUNT 7-12) |
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| DESCRIPTION: These magnificent pieces of Third Reich jewelry were produced by Herr Franz Schnell, master silversmith. Read about our acquisitions of these items in our section entitled About Our Rings and Silver Insignia. These pendants are surely the epitome of his state-of-the-art “object d’Kunst.” They were produced for the German National Forestry Service. This was the Reichsforstampt, National Forest Office, under the control of chief forester and hunting master, Hermann Göring, who, by the way, designed the elk’s-skull motif of the organization using the pattern developed in the Kaiser's time. Göring added the swastika between the antlers before the war. There were 869,300 persons employed in the forestry and woodworking industries. Göring also added the letters to the insignia ‘DJ’ standing for “Deutsche Jägershaft.” This does not appear on the pendants as these were fine jewelry and not insignia, as such. These pieces were intended for wear by the ladies of the organization for everyday usage in silver, and for high dress in dignified and auspicious occasions. There was a model crafted in genuine 14-karat gold. The silver version is marked with the ‘800’ silver designation, while the gold was unmarked. Much handiwork and finishing is evident in these intricate and gorgeous pieces of fine jewelry. The enameling of the swastika is beautifully accomplished. They measure 1 3/4 inches in the long measurement and about 1 1/4 inches high. We have three of these in silver and only one in gold. They are absolutely beautiful and prestigiously important to history. Any collector would be very proud to add one of these to his or her collection to admire or wear. “Come on, be brave!”
PRICE: $385.00; silver. $1,350.00; gold |
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Deutscher Reichskriegerbund Kyffhäuser (DRKB) Shooting Award Stickpin (Item HUNT 7-13; PINS 7-8; VETS 2-6) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is the bronze class insignia that was actually an award for superior marksmanship in those official government-sponsored shooting contests for veterans. “Once a soldier, always a soldier” (at least in the “Vaterland”). This award came in bronze, silver, and gold and this one is the bronze class. It is a beautifully constructed stickpin with the image of the Kyffhäuser monument featured in the center with a target that shows up in the design. At the base is the shield with Germany’s national colors and above the Denkmal or monument is the green oak leaves of victory. Around the outside dimension is a bronze wreath. The badge is unmarked on its back. It is in 100-percent mint condition and unchipped in the enamel. It’s about the size of a U.S. 25-cent piece; perhaps a hair smaller. This pin is rare and most sought after by collectors.
PRICE: $90.00 |
Page Seven |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.If you prefer, contact 'Germania' at PO Box 68, Lakemont, GA 30552
or call at 706.782.1668.
Please! do not call during the wee hours of the morning. The best time for calling us is between 9 and 11 am and between 9 and 11 pm eastern time.