Luftwaffe Paratrooper Gravity Knife (Early Model) (Item LUFT 18-3) |
DESCRIPTION: This was a necessary tool of these paratroopers. They needed a knife that could be opened with one hand using the natural force of gravity in the event of incapacitation and/or entanglement of parachute lines. The “gravity knife” of the Luftwaffe was constructed with nickel-plated metal parts. The later model was the “take down variety.” The one we offer is the earlier style. The blade is extended by the gravity pull after pushing upward on the action lever. The blade is fully locked once it is in an extended position. The one we offer is by Paul Weyersberg & Company, Solingen and is so marked. The “marlin spike” that folds out from the knife’s body is marked with a Waffen Ampt eagle at its base. Like 99% of these ever found, the blade was sharpened (back then), but except for a minute chip at the edge, almost indiscernible, it is in pretty good shape. The activated lever has a stamped numeral (“3”) on its underside. The oak grips are perfect. These knives are extremely scarce today, especially in this condition. Measures 6” long, blade length a little over 4”, about as nice an example as you will ever encounter. PRICE: $975.00 |
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Metal Plaque Depicting an Early German Observation Airplane and Crew (Item LUFT 18-4) |
DESCRIPTION: The Aircraft ready for flight and the pilot and gunner are depicted; we are not aviation experts here by any means, but from various sites and books, we believe this to be a Fiesler 156 C Storch. This type aircraft was the type assigned to “Operation Grunhertz,” the rescue of Mussoulini by SS troops under the command of SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Otto Skorzeny. The plaque is in metal with frame. The frame may be new? The plaque is for sure been re-framed but was the old frame used? In any case, it is the type that would be used in the 3rd Reich period. The plaque and frame are quite heavy. The plaque in its frame measures 24" x 17 ½'; the actual plaque measures 2' x 1'. This is a very rare aviation item and probably quite unique having most likely been made for a flying officer for his office within the Luftwaffe command HQ. We have never seen one before and probably never will again. Quite beautiful and in perfect condition throughout. $2,200.00 Rare! Rare! Super Rare! and really underpriced |
Parachutist's Badge (Item LUFT 18-5) |
DESCRIPTION: This is a very nice example of the Luftwaffe Fallshirmjager badge by GWL (Gebruder Wegerhoff In-Ludenscheid). This is a text book badge in all its glory. Bright and finely detailed as on GWL was able to produce. The badge was instituted in November 5, 1936 and was one of the sharpest looking badges of the Reich. This one is in almost mint condition. A great addition to any good collection of Luftwaffe items. PRICE: SOLD |
Radio Operator/Air Gunner’s Badge (Item LUFT 18-6) Fliegerschutzenabzeichen Fur Bordfunker |
DESCRIPTION: As the badge title would indicate, it was awarded to air gunners, radio operators and mechanics who successfully completed two months training or had participated in one of the positions in a minimum of five operational flights. The badge could be awarded sooner should the recipient be wounded on an operational flight. First instituted on 26 March 1936, produced from a metal alloy. This seems to be an earlier version as the lightening bolts are finally cut out as is the upper arm of the swastika. The later one did not show these features. The badge is in beautiful mint condition and is stamped with maker name, .Jmme Berlin. PRICE: SOLD |
Luftwaffe Air Gunner's Ring (Item LUFT 18-9) |
DESCRIPTION: Here is the ring favored by the German Air Force crews in WWII. It looks like the Air Gunner’s Qualification Badge. The ring is one of those that we were able to purchase several years ago in Stuttgart. For more information about these items see on our home page -- a section that reads About our Rings and Silver Insignia This ring however, is not pure "800" silver as most of our others are. It was die struck in “alpacca” and is so marked. Alpacca is the silver-like material that many of the Luftwaffe Honor goblets are made of. It seems like only the Luftwaffe used alpacca. The rings are quite nice with great detail and offered at a great bargain price because unlike some of the other rings that were numbered in 10’s and 12's amount maybe we will have two to five of these but by the time you order this ring there could be only one or two so don’t hesitate at this super price. PRICE: $395.00 |
London in The Blitz |
“Eine Luftwaffeteller” -- A Commemorative Plate from the Bomber Group 153 and Kampfgeschwader 77 (LUFT 18-10) |
DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful porcelain plate commemorating a famous squadron of the bomber wing of the German Luftwaffe (Kampgeschwader 77) that was initially equipped with Dornier Do 172 and later with Junkers JU 88 aircraft. They were stationed at Laon-Couron air base in France. They carried out attacks against England in the Battle of Britain in mid-July 1940. They were associated with the also famous Kampfgeschwader 153 in Finsterwald originally but in the Battle of Britain they were also based in France with Heinkel (HE 177 Greif) aircraft. The commemorative plate is quite beautiful showing the Luftwaffe eagle with swastika in flight with the names of the two squadrons above and below. There are no manufacturer’s marks and this indicates that some of the bomber personal had these souvenir plates commissioned in France to be distributed to the pilots and flight personal. The plate measures 9 ½ inches in diameter. A fine historically important piece of WWII history. It will look great in your den or the living room??? Show her who is boss, right? PRICE: SOLD |
Luftwaffe Badge by Gebruder Wegerhoff (Item LUFT 18-11) |
DESCRIPTION: Here is what is considered the ultimate in Luftwaffe badges. It was manufactured by the firm of Gebruder Wegerhof of Ludenscheid (GWL). This is of the highest quality. This badge, as expected, has the countersunk rivets with a hollow rivit in the center. It also has the neatly soldered barrel hinge and catch formed from stout wire. Because this is a high quality badge, the pin is soldered directly into the barrel hinge. The eagle has the dark oxidized finish with the sliver plated tombak wreath is a matte silver finish. The result is an exceptionally attractive badge with a pronounced three dimensional look. The GWL is nicely stamped on the backside of the eagle. The badge is in A-1 condition and being a GWL, it is superior in evey way. PRICE: SOLD |
Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Clasp (Frontflugspange fur Jager) (Item LUFT 18-12) |
DESCRIPTION:
Here is the gold class; this was the highly coveted badge for the young heroes of the sky. This is the one called day fighters badge to include long range day Fighters (Tag-jager) and air to ground squadrons. They were awarded this clasp with a winged arrow pointing upwards; these operational flying clasps were instituted by Reichmarshall Hermann Goring and were initially restricted to three designs. One of which was this clasp that we offer today. These awards were based on the number of operational flights. An operational flight was counted only if the enemy was engaged. This clasp was the highest awarded medal before the pendants were added for flights exceeding the 110 level needed to win the award. We now offer in the gold class. This clasp in gold is extremely rare today and collectors do well to be able to add one to their collection. The condition of this piece is very fine. A superior example for certain.
PRICE: SOLD |
Air Gunner's Badge (Abzeichen fur Fliegerschutzen) (Item LUFT 18-13 & KMEDAL 5-3 & WWI 11-17) |
DESCRIPTION: This badge was founded in January 1918 but the awards continued under the Weimar Republic Reichswehr through 1921. This is a later edition -- possibly a Third Reich strike when an airman qualified for the award and lost it through the fortunes of war. He could have one newly made in that later time. This is possibly one of these 1920 or 1930’s replacements; the quality is great with every oak leaf and palm leaf standing out in beautiful detail. The eagle and crown are also beautifully outlined. Detlev Niemann says the original issue were in non-silver often but silvered. We have seen what was identified as original in a German museum in bronze color similar to what we offer here. This badge is in extremely high quality which indicates to us that it is 100% original. The back is perfectly flat and there is no maker mark. The pin has a barrel clasp and is straight, so we present this piece as a later edition but surely a fine collectible relic of the “great war, to end all wars. “Yeah sure!!!
PRICE: $485.00 |
Page Eighteen |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.