Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
GERMAN WWII SS PARATROOPER JUMP SMOCK.
The rarest of all the uniform garments to be produced during WWII in camouflage pattern whether it be oak leaf type patterns, palm tree patterns or 44 dot pattern is the 44 dot pattern paratrooper jump smock. This ultra rare example in generally excellent condition, good colour to the camouflage pattern, this is a one sided camouflage. The interior is in a dark grey green with light brushed cotton pocket bags. One single loop for hanging to the collar. All of the zips are metal and are all marked ‘RAPID’ with their original Luftwaffe blue grey leather tabs. The smock has an SS arm eagle stitched to the upper right hand breast as the garment is worn. The internal windproof cuffs are present with some wear to the interior of the cuffs indicating this has been worn. One rodent bite to the lower right hand cuff. All of the male/female closure studs for the lower sleeves and the legs are present with surface rusting. The garment is complete with its flare pistol holder on the reverse side. All other standard paratrooper apertures and closure straps are present, which are common to the Luftwaffe paratroopers smock. An incredibly rare garment.
GERMAN WWII SS OFFICERS M.36 OFFICERS DAGGER.
A magnificent example, the best we have had in a long time of the very desirable SS officers Model 36 dagger. The blade full length absolutely mint with all of its cross grain finishing, the only markings being the runner markings where the blade has been drawn in and out and rubs against the inner scabbard brass blade retaining rings. All of the fittings are of the heavy nickel type to the grip. The ebony wood grip is totally undamaged with very sharp edges. Undamaged enamel to the SS inset. The silvering has disappeared from the national eagle. Complete with its silver portapee knot, which appears to have been in place for many years with a slight degree of oxidisation leaving its mark on the ebony grip below. The upper tang nut has never been interfered with. Fitted into its superb scabbard with all of the fittings matching in their plating. The black patinated factory finish in the lower field of the central cross guard all complete with matching black finish to the lower areas of all of the six intertwined SS runic and skull links to the chain. The heads to the screws that secure the fittings to the scabbard have never been turned, the lower ball is undamaged, the chains have the correct SS marking within a rectangle on the reverse side with its fully functioning clover leaf style belt clip with a leather belt clip and nickel D ring present. All of the original blueing is present to the scabbard with one small area on the reverse side being slightly rubbed.
GERMAN WWII DLV 55cm OFFICERS DAGGER BY EICKHORN.
In our opinion one of the rarest of all the standard Third Reich daggers ever produced, the Eickhorn version of this long DLV being the hardest to obtain within that small group of long 55cm daggers. Overall length 56.5cm with the blade length of 43cm, the blade itself is absolutely mint, the early Eickhorn squirrel trademark lightly stamped, no abusing or degrading to the blade at all, still with its original thin skiver of blue leather sitting between the shoulders of the blade and the lower cross guard. The unique engraved mobile swastika to the upper pommel and on both front and reverse side of the lower cross guard. The blue leather grip that was never fitted with wire in absolutely superb condition, the scabbard being of soft leather itself, again perfect. All of the fittings, which include the upper pommel, cross guard and the three scabbard fittings have all toned to the same level. One slight ding to the reverse side of the upper scabbard mount, the lower scabbard mount having the regulation three groove twist to the finial. All of the fittings attached to the leather scabbard by the short grub screws, one side only to each scabbard mount. The dagger is assembled with the tang being peened over to the upper pommel thus making it a non taped down. The chains with their correct S shaped links that fit to the large rings and the chains themselves having both 14 and 9 rings respectively with its original sprung loaded belt clip, which has toned to the exact measure of their remaining fittings of the dagger. Fitted with a long silver portapee knot, this appears to have been in position for a long time but we cannot guarantee that it is original to the dagger. Over the years of various books very little has been written on the 55cm daggers except for the excellent article written in Thomas Wittman’s work Exploring the Dress Daggers of German Luftwaffe Volume 2 from page 1 through 13. The reading of this article is imperative and to compare it with our description of our own dagger being offered here. We have been in business close to 50 years and we can possibly only remember owning 2 or 3 of the long DLV daggers, that in itself is an indication of its extreme rarity.
IMPERIAL GERMAN M18 EAR CUT OUT HELMET.
A fabulous example of the ear cut out helmet, clearly stamped ET64 as all of this model were sized and marked, retaining virtually all its original apple green finish with slight toning to a light brown in the crown area, with its absolutely complete M18 light cream bordering on white three pad liner, each with its own individual horsehair pad and with its original chinstrap, which is in perfect undamaged condition, no repairs and is clearly maker marked on the section of leather that protects the wearer from the metallic carbine clip release. Faint traces an original owner’s name applied to the inner rear skirt. This helmet recently sold by us within the last 1½ years has been re-consigned to us by the owner.
FRENCH GUARD DU CORPS DE LA MAISON DU ROI 1ST MODEL HELMET.
An incredibly rare helmet being the model 1814/15 of the Guard Du Corps De La Maison Du Roi, excellent condition all black lacquered leather skull with silver plated intricately decorated silvered mounts, a tall Roman style comb embossed with feathers and black horsehair plume. The front plate is in the form of a sunburst with central Apollo mask and crowned mirrored monogram 'L' (King Louis XVIII) 1814-24. At the lower point of the front plate the inscription 'NEC PLURIBUF IMPR' which is the motto of the French Empire. The chin scales are backed with black velvet on Apollo mask bosses. On both sides of the skull two curled vines (palmes). The leather sweat band is all original, traces of the silk lining still intact. Side plume missing ,the side plume mount secured with later added wire. Some signs of restoration where the side palmes, which were added in 1815 have been re-attached with non contemporary wire. The Guard Du Corps De La Maison Cu Roi was re-established in 1814 and disbanded for good by King Louis Philippe on the 11th of August 1830. It comprised of six companies with a total of 2,686 men. The palmes were added as a decorative element on the 16th January 1815. This is in such superb condition even the original bullion decorative tassels which link the chin scales together are still present. The hook above the front plate for the chin scales to be hooked up to is all complete. Horsehair plume absolutely original, velvet backing to the chin scales again absolutely original.
GERMAN WWII SS OFFICERS SWORD, INITIALLED.
A very nice condition 96.5cm long SS officer pattern sword. Beautiful blade manufactured by Peter Daniel Krebs of Solingen. Complete with its white leather washer between the cross guard and the scabbard throat. Standard SS markings within a lozenge on the upper throat and on the underside of the D guard hilt. Nickel plating to the hilt excellent. On undoing the top cap the nut cover normally found on these swords is present. The grip is totally undamaged with its original SS inset and grip wire complete and fitted with its original SS sword knot, which appears never to have been off the sword, some slight oxidisation and one small area of staining on the reverse side. The paint finish to the scabbard again excellent with minor abrasions. The plating to the officers bottom chape good with some slight bubbling, upper chape perfect. To the top cap the initials ‘EH’ have been engraved, it would be possible to trawl through the SS officer records and possibly find numerous officers with these initials, at least the identification could be focused down to a few names.
GERMAN WWII LUFTWAFFE OFFICERS JAGDGESCHWADER MOLDERS OFFICERS FLIGHT BLOUSE.
A superb item of uniform being a good upper medium size officers flight blouse constructed in the standard officers material. Luftwaffe blue grey rayon lining. Loop to the inside for a dagger hanger, the label in silk reading ‘L.V.A. Berfausabteilung Der Luftwaffe, Berlin SW68’. The tunic is in absolutely mint condition, no moth damage or staining having the mint bright stitch-in shoulder boards of a Luftwaffe Flight Oberstleutnant. Mint bright silver cross weave lace over golden yellow base cloth with mint bright gilt rank star. Matching collar patches, again silver bullion high quality. A beautiful early droop tailed breast eagle in bullion wire. Iron Cross 2nd class ribbon to the buttonhole. Fitted with its magnificent quality Luftwaffe Pilot Observers Badge in gold and silver weave. A cloth version of the German Cross in Gold again near mint but with slight green oxidisation at the very tip of the upper arm of the swastika. To the lower left hand sleeve as the tunic is viewed an enlisted ranks Jagdgeschwader Molders cuff title. Standard bluse cut fly front, two scalloped pockets without pleats, loops for a short medal ribbon bar to the upper right hand breast and two extra loops above the Pilot Observers Badge. Probably the finest officers flight blouse we have had in many years. The value of the bullion Pilot Observers Badge and the German Cross in Gold comes to at least half the value of the overall item.
GERMAN WWII GERMAN CROSS IN GOLD BY ZIMMERMANN.
A nice German Cross in Gold, marked number ‘20’ on the reverse side of the pin, which indicates the Company of Zimmermann. Good gilt to the ‘1941’ dated wreath, some slight rubbing to the high points. Minor scratches but no damage to the enamel. Some of the points of the ray, which are normally black, have been rubbed, with its four domed hollow rivets on the reverse side, original hook, pin and hinge. Fitted into its original presentation box, of which the upper inner silk lid has toned and the flock to the base of the box has generally disappeared through age, however the exterior of the box in very nice condition with its full circumference of the gold line indicating the gold award to the interior that all still visible.
GERMAN WWII WAFFEN SS GENERAL’S VISOR CAP.
A very fine condition totally original Waffen SS General’s visor cap. Approximately size 58, constructed in the very lightly ribbed officer quality material. Silver waffenfarbe to the crown and the upper and lower sections of the black velvet centre band. Some sections of the silver waffenfarbe have oxidised down to a grey colour. There is no moth damage whatsoever to the cap. Black velvet centre band perfect. Matched set of frosted eagle and skull set. Standard wire cap cords with pebbled side buttons. The standard visor light green to the interior showing wear use where the hat has been removed from the head many times. The interior mid tan leather sweatband also showing wear use but completely undamaged. The orange cushion found on many Third Reich peak caps behind the forehead area has solidified and disappeared. The interior mixture of gold and very light cream lining all intact. Centre celluloid lozenge 95% complete, there is a small crack in the area of the name tag section with a small portion of the celluloid missing.
GERMAN WWII MOUNTAIN TROOPER OFFICERS UNIFORM AND PAPERWORK GROUPING.
A fabulous untouched grouping of a WWII mountain trooper leutnant being the tunic, cap, soldbuch and spare insignia of Leutnant Johann Nowak. The tunic is the standard heavyweight officers tunic, M36 style, six button closure, four pockets all with pleats and flaps, deep barrel cuffs, dark green collar. The insignia fitted are a set of slip-on subdued grey lace shoulder boards in mountain green with regimental numbers in nice frosted silver ‘98’ attached. Matching officers wire woven mountain green centred collar patches, some evidence of surface moth damage to the green collar. The breast eagle is the heavy bullion wire style. Iron Cross ribbon to the second buttonhole. Single East Front ribbon pinned to the upper right breast, with its original ‘RS’ ( Rudolf Souval ) marked Infantry Assault Badge in silver and its pre war DRA sports badge. Enlisted ranks Bevo woven mountain troopers arm shield to the left hand sleeve as the tunic is viewed. No other moth damage on the tunic apart from the moth tracking to the collar. Fully lined to the interior with a Vienna tailor’s label. The tunic is accompanied by his very hard to obtain mountain troop officers Bergmutze in a very close matching colour to the tunic, officers silver wire to the crown, fitted with the Bevo woven silver wire T shaped national eagle and cockade, stamped metallic edelweiss badge to the side of the cap, on pulling back one of the arms the imprint in the material can clearly be seen, twin button front. The interior is stamped size ‘57’, maker marked ‘Adrion Mutzenfabrik Landstrasse Heidelberg with its original light tan leather forehead protector, a single NCO’s Regiment 98 shoulder board, mountain green piped, moth hole to the centre. A pair of spare mountain green based leutnants stitch-in shoulder boards without regimental numbers. His army soldbuch, standard form with a photograph of Nowak in civil dress, the soldbuch opens in 1944 with the rank of Oberjager, then promoted to Fahnenjunker and subsequently in December 44 Leutnant. Page 3 shows service continually in Mountain Troop Regiment 98 and on page 4. Pages 12 and 13 show medical records. Page 22 shows the award of Infantry Assault Badge in silver, Iron Cross 2nd class and East Front Medal. We would assume that he survived the war and was captured by the western allies otherwise this service worn uniform would not be in the condition that it is.