Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse) – Unmarked / Possible Maker “25”
Original WWII German Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1939).
A classic three-piece construction example featuring a magnetic iron core with silvered frame. The cross retains an attractive untouched appearance with honest age and light wear, showing a pleasing dark core contrast against the toned frame.
The ring appears unmarked, though this example is attributed as a possible maker 25, corresponding to Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hanauer Plakettenhersteller, Hanau. The suspension ring remains nicely preserved and the cross presents very well overall.
Condition is very good, with crisp details to both obverse and reverse. The core finish remains strong, while the frame shows natural patina and age consistent with an original wartime piece.
Japanese Victory Medal (Cased)
Original Japanese Victory Medal in very good condition with matching wooden case.
The Victory Medal was a commemorative military medal of Japan awarded to mark service during the First World War. Established by Imperial Edict #406 on 17 September 1920, it was one of the series of Victory Medals created and awarded by the victorious allies after the First World War. Fifteen nations in all issued a version of the medal. All shared the rainbow suspension and service ribbon, but the medals’ designs varied by country. Japan’s design was different from all other versions as it did not depict the goddess Victory. This figure from Roman mythology would have no connection to Japanese culture, so a depiction of Takemikazuchi, the war god in Japanese mythology occupies the obverse of the medal. (Source: Wikipedia)
Dienstausweis – Verwaltungsschule der Luftwaffe
Original Dienstausweis (Service ID) for a Civilian Employee at the Verwaltungsschule der Luftwaffe. ID issued by the Verwaltungsschule der Luftwaffe. Condition as seen.
WH Führerschein – Luftkriegsschule 4
Original Wehrmacht-Führerschein (Driver’s License) of a soldier with the Luftkriegsschule 4. Complete with photo. Condition as seen.
Erkennungsmarke: Artillerie-Regiment 55 (Researched! MIA!)
Original World War 2 German Erkennungsmarke (“Identity Disc”) of “II./A.R.55” which stands for II. Abteilung/ Artillerie-Regiment 55, individual number 20 and bloodgroup B. Condition as seen.
I have researched the tag and the tag belonged to Wachmeister Josef Witkowski. He served with the Artillerie-Regiment 55 and afterwards with the 11. Batterie/ Artillerie-Regiment 81. Severely wounded on August 18, 1942 in Schirwanskaja by Artillerie shrapnel. Then with schwere Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung 63 in Landsberg/Lech. He went Missing in Action on December 16, 1942. Declared death! No further info.
Walter Fasel – Füsilier-Regiment 26 (30. Infanterie-Division)
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Walter Fasel. Feldwebel Walter Fasel (07.06.1919 † 13.08.2013) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 31, 1943 as Feldwebel und Zugführer of the 14. Kompanie/ Füsilier-Regiment 26 of the 30. Infanterie-Division. Good condition. Postcardsize.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing ISA & VWA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a soldier wearing awards (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen and Verwundetenabzeichen). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing ISA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a soldier wearing awards (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen and ribbon for Winterschlacht im Osten 41/42). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht Medic wearing ISA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a Doctor/Medic (see shoulderboards) wearing awards (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing ISA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a NCO wearing awards (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen & EK2 ribbon). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht NCO wearing EK1 & VWA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a NCO wearing awards (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse & Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing ISA & VWA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a soldier wearing awards (Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz and Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing ISA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a soldier wearing awards (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) and Funker cloth badge. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait Wehrmacht NCO wearing ISA
Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a NCO wearing awards (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen and Ribbonbar). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Günter Wanhöfer – SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 “Nederland”
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günter Wanhöfer. SS-Sturmbannführer Günter Wanhöfer (18.11.1916 † 07.08.2015) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 27, 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 of the 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Nederland”. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Günter Wanhöfer – SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 “Nederland”
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günter Wanhöfer. SS-Sturmbannführer Günter Wanhöfer (18.11.1916 † 07.08.2015) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 27, 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 of the 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Nederland”. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Günter Wanhöfer – SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 “Nederland”
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günter Wanhöfer. SS-Sturmbannführer Günter Wanhöfer (18.11.1916 † 07.08.2015) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 27, 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 of the 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Nederland”. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Günter Wanhöfer – SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 “Nederland”
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günter Wanhöfer. SS-Sturmbannführer Günter Wanhöfer (18.11.1916 † 07.08.2015) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 27, 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54 of the 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Nederland”. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.
Erkennungsmarke – Nachrichten-Ersatz-Abteilung 4
Original Partial Erkennungsmarke “7.Fspr.Betr.Ers.Kp.N.E.A.4” numbered “328″ of the 7. Fernsprech-Betriebs-Ersatz-Kompanie/ Nachrichten-Ersatz-Abteilung 4. Condition as seen.
Info: These half EKM’s came out of a collection and were not found by me or the collector. There’s no traceability from where they came or the fate of the owner or the reason why it was broken.
Erkennungsmarke – Kraftfahr-Ersatz-Abteilung 10
Original Partial Erkennungsmarke “Stamm-Komp.Krf.Ers.Abt.10” numbered “9132″ of the Stammkompanie/ Kraftfahr-Ersatz-Abteilung 10. Condition as seen.
Info: These half EKM’s came out of a collection and were not found by me or the collector. There’s no traceability from where they came or the fate of the owner or the reason why it was broken.
Horst Niemack – Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 & Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment “Großdeutschland” (Schwertern)
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Horst Niemack. Generalmajor Horst Niemack (10.03.1909 in Hannover † 07.04.1992 in Groß Hehlen) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on July 14, 1940 as Rittmeister und Kommandeur of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5, the Eichenlaub on August 10, 1941 as Rittmeister und Kommandeur of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 of the 5. Infanterie-Division and the Schwertern on June 4, 1944 as Oberst und Kommandeur of Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment “Großdeutschland” of the Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Großdeutschland”.
Read more on Horst Niemack (Wikipedia)
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Erkennungsmarke – Landesschützen-Bataillon 496 (“Frontfertigung”)
Original Erkennungsmarke (“Frontfertigung” – “Frontmade”) “1./L.S.Btl.496” which stands for 1. Kompanie/ Landesschützen-Bataillon 496. Condition as seen.
Studioportrait of a Zollgrenschutz Soldier
Original Studioportrait of a guard from the Zollgrenzschutz (the Customs Border Guard). Postcardsize.
Studioportrait of a Wehrmacht Soldier wearing the Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen
Original Studioportrait of a Wehrmacht Soldier wearing the Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen. Postcardsize. Photo has a knick.
Hermann Buchner – Schlachtgeschwader 2 “Immelmann” (Me262 Pilot! 12 Victories with the Me262!)
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hermann Buchner. Oberfeldwebel Hermann Buchner (30.10.1919 in Salzburg † 01.12.2005 in Linz) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on October 17, 1943 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on July 20, 1944 as Oberfeldwebel und Flugzeugführer in the 6. Staffel/ Schlachtgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”.
During World War II, Buchner logged 631 combat missions, of which 215 on the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, 396 on the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, and 20 on the Messerschmitt Me 262. He was shot down five times, including two bail outs with a parachute, and was wounded twice. Buchner was credited with 58 aerial victories—46 on the Eastern Front and 12 flying the Me 262 in Defence of the Reich. As a ground attack pilot, he was credited with the destruction of 46 tanks and one armoured train. Read more about Hermann Buchner (Wikipedia)
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Herbert Schultze – Bildarchiv Krupp-Germaniawerft Kiel (Nr. 11/24)
Bildarchiv Krupp-Germaniawerft Kiel (Nr. 11/24) of Knight’s Cross Holder Herbert Schultze, who earned the Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub on June 12, 1941 as Kommandeur of U-boot 48. He commanded U-48 for eight patrols during the early part of the war, sinking 169,709 gross register tons (GRT) of shipping. Good condition, minor wear. Small staining on the front and reverse. Postcardsize.
Krupp-Germaniawerft Aktiengesellschaft Kiel-Gaarden issued 24 postcards of Kriegsmarine Knight’s Cross Holders. On the front, a facismile signature of the KC-Holder was added. A special booklet was also issued to glue in the postcards.
Hans Rösing – Bildarchiv Krupp-Germaniawerft Kiel (Nr. 10/24)
Photo Postcard of Bildarchiv Krupp-Germaniawerft Kiel (Nr. 10/24) of Knight’s Cross Holder Hans Rösing, who earned the Ritterkreuz on August 29, 1940 as Korvettenkapitän and Kommandant of U-48, which was awarded for sinking 12 ships (with 60701 GRT) and damaging 1 more (with 5888 GRT) in just 2 patrols as the commander of U 48. Hans Rösing passed away on December 16, 2004. Good condition. Postcardsize.
Krupp-Germaniawerft Aktiengesellschaft Kiel-Gaarden issued 24 postcards of Kriegsmarine Knight’s Cross Holders. On the front, a facismile signature of the KC-Holder was added. A special booklet was also issued to glue in the postcards.
Rolf Mützelburg – Bildarchiv Krupp-Germaniawerft Kiel (Nr. 4/24)
Photo Postcard of Bildarchiv Krupp-Germaniawerft Kiel (Nr. 4/24) of Knight’s Cross Holder Rolf Mützelburg, who earned the Ritterkreuz on November 17, 1941 as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-203 and the Eichenlaub on July 15, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-203. He also earned the U-boot Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillianten. Rolf Mützelburg died as a result of an accident at sea on September 11, 1942. On his eight patrols in the Atlantic, the US east coast, and the Caribbean Sea, he sank 19 ships for a total of 81,961 gross register tons (GRT), and damaged three more (17,052 GRT). Good condition. Postcardsize.
Krupp-Germaniawerft Aktiengesellschaft Kiel-Gaarden issued 24 postcards of Kriegsmarine Knight’s Cross Holders. On the front, a facismile signature of the KC-Holder was added. A special booklet was also issued to glue in the postcards.
Albert Dubicki – Werfer-Regiment 14
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Albert Dubicki. Unteroffizier Albert Dubicki (12.07.1921 † 25.10.2009) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 12, 1944 as Unteroffizier und MG-Vorgeschobener Beobachter in the 1. Batterie/ Werfer-Regiment 14.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Hermann Buchner – Schlachtgeschwader 2 “Immelmann” (Me262 Pilot! 12 Victories with the Me262!)
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hermann Buchner. Oberfeldwebel Hermann Buchner (30.10.1919 in Salzburg † 01.12.2005 in Linz) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on October 17, 1943 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on July 20, 1944 as Oberfeldwebel und Flugzeugführer in the 6. Staffel/ Schlachtgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”.
During World War II, Buchner logged 631 combat missions, of which 215 on the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, 396 on the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, and 20 on the Messerschmitt Me 262. He was shot down five times, including two bail outs with a parachute, and was wounded twice. Buchner was credited with 58 aerial victories—46 on the Eastern Front and 12 flying the Me 262 in Defence of the Reich. As a ground attack pilot, he was credited with the destruction of 46 tanks and one armoured train. Read more about Hermann Buchner (Wikipedia)
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Johannes Eikmeier – Reiter-Regiment 32
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photocopy of Johannes “Hans” Eikmeier. Major Johannes Eikmeier (03.12.1918 † 05.09.2012) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on January 25, 1943 as Oberleutnant in the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 120 and the Ritterkreuz on September 30, 1944 as Rittmeiter und Führer with II. Bataillon/ Reiter-Regiment 32 of the 3. Kavallerie-Brigade. Good condition. Postcardsize.
Inländer-Jahresjagdschein
Inländer-Jahresjagdschein. Complete with extra added papers (for duration) and extra photo. Good condition.
Johannes Eikmeier – Reiter-Regiment 32
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photocopy of Johannes “Hans” Eikmeier. Major Johannes Eikmeier (03.12.1918 † 05.09.2012) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on January 25, 1943 as Oberleutnant in the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 120 and the Ritterkreuz on September 30, 1944 as Rittmeiter und Führer with II. Bataillon/ Reiter-Regiment 32 of the 3. Kavallerie-Brigade. Good condition. Postcardsize.
Hans Greiter – Grenadier-Regiment 165 (36. Volksgrenadier-Div.)
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hans Greiter. Unteroffizier Hans Greiter (26.08.1920 † 01.10.2002) earned the Ritterkreuz on January 13, 1945 as Unteroffizier und Meldestaffelführer of the I. Bataillon/ Grenadier-Regiment 165 of the 36. Volksgrenadier-Division. Good condition. Measuring: 8×11,5cm.
Eberhard Stephan – Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 116
Original Postwar Signature of Eberhard Stephan. Major Eberhard Stephan (17.07.1910 † 22.10.2008) earned the Ritterkreuz on January 12, 1945 as Major und Kommandeur of the Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 116 of the 116. Panzer-Division. Postcardsize.
Eberhard Stephan was awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions during the Ardennes Offensive for successfully capturing and then defending the bridge at Heinerscheid over the Our River, preventing an Allied breakthrough.