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Dachau Concentration Camp Beer Bottle (Item SS 23-4)
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is possibly the most rare SS item we, or anyone else, have ever offered. Many of these existed once, but the allied forces destroyed almost every one of them found at the KL Dachau for pretty obvious reasons. Our consigner, who prefers to be unnamed, was with the Thunderbird Division that overran Dachau in 1945. He remembers clearly that the canteen where goods were sold by prisoners to prisoners for KL scrip had cases of full and empty beer bottles in its storage rooms. The commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. Felix L. Sparks, wrote an article about the general liberation of Dachau. It contains the lie that only 50 Waffen-SS men were machine-gunned (murdered) by his men after surrendering. The actual count was 560 some of whom were not SS at all. We believe it was Lt. Col. Sparks who also gave the order that any articles like the canteen items were to be utterly destroyed and the remaining vestiges to disappear. There seemed to be a directive from on high that anything that appeared to allege that there was any normalcy to life in this camp such as buying a beer at the canteen was not to be ever found. Logically, this beer was not only for inmates, but the SS administration and guards probably also enjoyed it. The veteran that we interviewed told us that. Among other souvenirs he had grabbed he managed to hide away one of the beer bottles even though Lt. Col. Sparks, General Linden, and other bigwigs had commanded that the canteen items should be 100 percent destroyed and anyone looting the beer or the bottles would face serious charges. Our vet didn’t drink the beer until he was aboard his ship heading home. It was so good that he said it spoiled him for American-brewed beer for months and months. The bottle is in a pea-green color. Dark bottles retain the freshness of the golden brew. The bottle has raised letters that say “Kantinen-Verwaltung der S.S.-T.V./K.L. Dachau” (“Canteen Administration for the SS Death’s Head Division, Concentration Camp at Dachau”). The ceramic cap at the top has again the ‘S.S.-T.V./K.L. Dachau’ and is translated the same. If the price of this bottle is shocking, and to those who are unaware of its importance it might well be shocking, but of all the prodigiously important things we offer probably nothing touches this item for historic importance. Probably it is completely unique. In our combined experience of 125 years we have never seen nor heard of another being offered. The veteran who brought it back and consigned it to us hoped to get $50.00 for it. Well, we priced it more realistically for him.
PRICE: NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Book Alfred Rosenberg, 1893-1946, Der Mythus of the 20th Century from SS Library (Item SS 23-5; GEN 9-13; RAREBOOK 2-9)
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is the great book from the party philosopher Alfred Rosenberg. He called this treatise an evaluation of the spiritual confrontation of our age. Rosenberg has been called an inspired and endowed sear and his book A Fountainhead of Fundamental Precepts in the Field of Human History, Religion, and Cultural Philosophy is almost overwhelming in magnitude. The NSDAP view of this immortal work is that “The myth is the myth of the blood, which under the sign of the swastika, released the world revolution, it is the awakening of the racial soul, which after a period of slumber, victoriously put an end to racial chaos.” Rosenberg held several important posts in the NS government including Reichsminister for the newly liberated territories. As such it is duly and historically recorded that Alfred Rosenberg’s constant conflict with the SS and the Reichskomissariats headed by such leaders as Eric Koch over the treatment of Slavs under German occupation. Having been born in a non-German country and having been married to an ethnic Estonian, Rosenberg was appalled at the displacement and enslavement of persons in these occupied eastern countries. In 1945, he was captured by allied troops and tried at the Nuremberg star-chamber trials with every charge the tribunal could throw willy nilly against him. He walked firmly, proudly, to his execution and in the firm conviction that he, like Julius Streicher, was being hanged there at Nuremberg not for actual war crimes, but for what they had said and written. Is it so different now? The book is considered rare on booksellers’ lists.
PRICE: SOLD
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Concentration Camp Money (Lagergeld) (Item SS 23-8)
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DESCRIPTION: This is a grouping of actual money that was used as scrip at places like Auschwitz, Dachau, Buchenwald, and work camps that were critical to the German war effort. These scrip payments were compensation for labor and were printed specifically for their use in stores, canteens, and even brothels. The prison monetary system was first conceived in ghettos such as Lodz and carried over to the KL. The camp money we offer is from Theresienstadt. The scrip was not negotiable outside the camp. This decreased the chance of a successful escape from Theresienstadt. There was a payment schedule using the Kr. (Kroner) as the basis for the unit for exchange. The breakdown looked like this:
Working men according to their jobs; 105-205 Th. Kr.
Working women according to their jobs; 95-205 Th. Kr.
Part-time workers; 80 Th. Kr.
Caretakers; 70 Th. Kr.
War wounded and holder of the Iron Cross 2nd Class or higher; 195 Th. Kr.
Prominent doctors, professors, scientists, well-known cultural artists, and politicians; 145 Th. Kr.
To put this in perspective a cup of coffee cost 2 Th. Kr. The circulation in Theresienstdt was such that it was necessary to print over 5 million notes; however, today these pieces of KL scrip are extremely rare. We offer these lots:
Lot number one:
One 100 Th. Kr. note
One 10 Th. Kr. note
One 5 Th. Kr. note
One 1 Th. Kr. note
Lot number two:
One 5 Th. Kr. note
One 1 Th. Kr. note
PRICE: SOLD
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SS-Volkskunst Box (Item SS 23-9; ART 9-6; AHN 2-19)
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a beautiful little box carved and constructed by hand. Everything about it suggests connection to the Deutsches Ahnenerbe Stiftung: from the Hagel runes to the symbolic Wotan knots. In the top design in the front are the SS runes in one panel, while in the other is the non-mobile Hakenkreutz (swastika). This usually dates somewhere back in the Kampfzeit, although not necessarily so. The box measures across the top 9 3/4 inches x 5 1/4 inches. The lid is longer than the box itself and measures 8 3/4 x 5 inches. The small handles are of brass. This is true SS-inspired Volkskunst (art of the people) and is 100 percent all original. It looks very much like some of the chests that appear in the N.S. magazines like Fraunwarte and Kunst in Deutschen Reich. This is a very fine Kulturstuck and museum piece.
PRICE: SOLD
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Ribbon Bar Grouping (remounted) (Item SS 23-10)
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a very nice bar grouping of six medal ribbons. It’s one of the nicer ones assembled from 100-percent-original ribbons and devices that are from time to time put together by an elderly German fellow from a stock of genuine pieces that he had access to. The bars have been absurdly assailed by one of the ‘x-spurts’ on the (fools’ forums). This armchair general has spurted forth the silly accusation that the bars are not genuine. He just doesn’t understand such words as ‘remounted’. His preschool vocabulary doesn’t reach that level of sophistication yet, or so it would seem. The fact is that these ribbon mountings are absolutely genuine in every way except they were assembled at a later period than WWII. Well, so much for the x-spurts. This grouping consists of the WWI Iron Cross Second Class, the Braunsweig Medal with super-nice device, another unidentified Imperial medal, the Bavarian Medal with crown and swords, the 1914 Service Medal, and the SS 4-Year Service Medal. All are in very nice shape.
PRICE: SOLD
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1936 Model Chained SS Officer’s Dagger (Item SS 23-11)
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful example of the most desirable of all NS daggers with the Type I chain assembly. This, of course, has the higher relief on the skull and crossbones, similar to that of the Type II assembly. The cloverleaf snap clip assembly of this Type I chain appears to be “open” at the upper leaf hole. This assembly technique normally results in portions of the D.R.G.B. (patent mark) being visible through the center opening of this area. The one we offer shows the letters faintly visible. In Type I examples the SS proof stamp (Kulturzeichen) on the reverse of the second upper link is generally heavily and well struck. This is most definitely the case with this one. The background of the skull and runic links have a finely pebbled surface. The connector links on this dagger are finely shaped and very, very strong. The scabbard on this one is the painted type with the strong-reliefed center band. The nickeled cross guard, top guard match the scabbard fittings exactly. The grip is perfect: close fitting, no chips. The cross guard and top guard have the slightest hairline corrosion at the edges which is practically unnoticeable. The scabbard tip is unruptured as so many other examples are. The blade shows use and would be rated average-good. The blade fits tight up against the cross guard with no light showing through. The “Meine Ehre heist Treue” motto still shows the original blackening intact. All in all there is an extremely fine example of the ultimate SS dagger, the ultimate SS relic, a handsome relic of turbulent times that becomes scarcer each day; a dagger like this will surely fetch well over $10,000 in the very near future. These 1936 models have been our specialty, but it seems that soon there just will be none to be found. Tom Wittman, in his book, Exploring the Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS, has summed it up when he says that if you do not have a Mod 36, you just don’t have a significant collection of N.S. edged weapons. But, I might add this—if you don’t have a Mod 1936 chained dagger, your other items will seem blasé and superfluous. Here’s your chance to purchase the best of all Third Reich items.
PRICE: SOLD
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1936 Model Chained SS Officer’s Dagger (Item SS 23-12)
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful example of the most desirable of all NS daggers with the Type I chain assembly. This, of course, has the higher relief on the skull and crossbones, similar to that of the Type II assembly. The cloverleaf snap clip assembly of this Type I chain appears to be “open” at the upper leaf hole. This assembly technique normally results in portions of the D.R.G.B. (patent mark) being visible through the center opening of this area. In this case, the letters are quite clear. In Type I examples the SS proof stamp (Kulturzeichen) on the reverse of the second upper link is generally heavily and well struck. This is most definitely the case with this one. The background of the skull, and runic links have a finely pebbled surface. The connector links on this dagger are finely shaped and very, very strong. This particular example is definitely the Type I chain-assembly model and the D.R.G.M. or part of it shows under the (Wotan knot) or upper leaf hole. The background of the links is plainly and nicely pebbled and the detailing of the skull and runes is sharp and clear. The scabbard fittings are consistent in plating color with the cross guard and top fittings (so few do match when found). The original grip has a chip at the left side where it meets the cross guard (see photo). This is not bad at all. Another tiny chip can be seen where the top guard meets the wood. This is minute at best. Other than that, there is very, very minor grip shrinkage at the right side alongside the cross guard. This model is rather rare with the anodized (blued) scabbard much like the dagger pictures in Thomas Wittman’s book, Exploring the Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS, pages 132 and 133. The blade is extremely fine with a few fine blotches mostly over the letters in the motto. These are not rust or pitting. They are at best slight discoloring of the steel and is very usual in these blades. But this is extremely minor and does not at all detract from the otherwise great blade. The motto has its original gray-silver look. The scabbard anodization is still fine. The eagle and SS button are perfect. All in all this is a superior-grade dagger in almost every way. As we have said, these daggers that are getting extremely scarce are really the ultimate relic of the SS. We have also stated that a dagger like this will reach the value of $10,000 or more in less than 2 years if the steady popularity of N.S. relics and especially SS relics continue their steady rise. In more years than I wish to count I have never seen the prices of SS items or for that matter any fine and rare N.S memorabilia ever wane or drop. So, in essence, we must say that this is without a doubt a very sound investment in a fine historically important relic that is in sound and beautiful condition. The 1936 model officer’s dagger is the one thing that any serious Third Reich collector can hardly be without. So, if you can afford it, don’t hesitate.
PRICE: SOLD
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1936 Model Chained SS Officer’s Dagger (Item SS 23-13)
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful example of the most desirable of all NS daggers with the Type I chain assembly. This, of course, has the higher relief on the skull and crossbones, similar to that of the Type II assembly. The cloverleaf snap clip assembly of this Type I chain appears to be “open” at the upper leaf hole. This assembly technique normally results in portions of the D.R.G.B. (patent mark) being visible through the center opening of this area. In this case, the letters are quite clear. In Type I examples the SS proof stamp (Kulturzeichen) on the reverse of the second upper link is generally heavily and well struck. This is most definitely the case with this one. The background of the skull, and runic links have a finely pebbled surface. The connector links on this dagger are finely shaped and very, very strong. This is a very nice example of the ultimate N.S. relic. The 36 model dagger with Type I chain assembly such as this is getting to be “the scarcest kid on the block.” This is a mid-period SS pattern with the thicker rounded roll to the edge borders and the copper color to the runes button and eagle grip insignia. Wittman in his book, Exploring the Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS, says it is possible the nickeling has worn from the grip insignia revealing the copper flash coating below. The fact is that some SS officers would have occasion to only wear their dagger proudly at special events, while others were everyday SS participants who invariably would take the usual position of standing with their hand tightly squeezed around the grip. Do those for 365 days a year or so and wear to the insignia would be a very natural result. This dagger has the Type I chain assembly where the D.R.G.M (patent) marks can be perceived through the opening of the Wotan knot clip retainer that the links flow from. The alternate runics and skulls are in fine detail showing practically no wear. The Kulturzeichen, SS approval logo, is deeply stamped on the first link that joins the square link. The cross guard and top guard fittings match the scabbard fittings although few of them do when found and damn few are found today. This, the most desirable dagger of them all, unfortunately has become downright rare. This piece looks like the one pictured on the right where two 36 models are pictured at the top of Wittman’s book (page 157). In the picture, the dagger on the right is described by Tom as having the copper-colored grip insignia. Under close inspection of the eagle there are indications of former nickel plating. However, this pictured dagger has the Type II chain assembly, while the one we offer is Type I. The scabbard is the more desirable anodized (blued) variety and this is in top condition (unmarked). The cross guard and top guard are a bit dark, again, because of handling by the original wearer. All this says is that you will be getting a dagger that was proudly worn by an actual working SS officer (if only it could talk!) The top of the wood grip where it meets the top guard is looking like it wants to flake, but probably it has looked this way for lot of years and it is certainly holding. The blade is quite good with very little blotching. It fits to the cross guard firmly and snuggly with no daylight to be perceived. Here is an excellent example of a dagger that is fast becoming extinct! Seldom does one show up at the military shows and when they do some of the “entrepreneurs” who have them ask the earth, sun, and moon for them and their prices are quite firm and a piece like this would be priced at least a grand more than we offer it for. As we have previously stated, this is the ultimate SS relic absolutely unmatched in desirability and beauty. If you don’t have a 1936 model you just don’t have a significant SS collection at all. This is a fine and sensible investment for a piece that can only go speedily up in value probably being well worth over $10,000 in the very near future, and it will accelerate in price after that in rapidity. This is for sure. So, we feel it is a bargain at our offering price.
PRICE: SOLD
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Fabulous Replica of SS-Totenkopf Death's Head Ring
Contact Us
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 10am and 12 noon and between 9 and 11 pm eastern time.
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