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Original Miniature EK1, EK2 and VWA Schwarz Stickpin. Condition as seen.

Original “Der Stahlhelm” Membership Badge. Condition as seen.

Original Wehrpass of Gefreiter Stoltz who served with the Panzer-Regiment 3 during the Polish Campaign and West Campaign, until he got wounded in France. Afterwards he served with Panzer-Regiment 39. He earned the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse on November 3, 1939 and the Panzerkampfabzeichen and Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz. 

SS-Oberscharführer Ernst Barkmann (25 August 1919, Kisdorf † 27 June 2009, Kisdorf) was a Waffen-SS NCO and tank commander in the 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich.” He became one of the division’s most famous Panzer aces and was decorated for his actions in Normandy during the summer of 1944.

Barkmann received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 27 August 1944 as SS-Unterscharführer und Panzerkommandant in the 4./SS-Panzer-Regiment 2. His most renowned action, often referred to as “Barkmann’s Corner,” took place near Le Lorey, where his Panther tank reportedly destroyed numerous Allied vehicles in a single engagement, halting an American advance.

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 27 August 1944, as SS-Unterscharführer und Panzerkommandant, 4./SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich.”

• Other wartime decorations included the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class, Panzer Badge in Silver, and the Wound Badge.

Item Details

• Authentic postwar signature of SS-Oberscharführer Ernst Barkmann.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Size: Postcard format.

• Condition: As seen, well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note

Ernst Barkmann’s reputation as a Panzer ace of the Waffen-SS, particularly tied to the legendary events at “Barkmann’s Corner,” makes his signature highly sought after among collectors of armored warfare memorabilia and Knight’s Cross recipients. Postwar signed photographs of Barkmann are increasingly scarce and represent an important piece of history from the Normandy campaign and the Das Reich Division.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Remi Schrijnen. SS-Unterscharführer Remi Schrijnen (24.12.1921 † 27.07.2006) earned the Ritterkreuz on September 21, 1944 as SS-Sturmmann und Richtschütze in the 6. Kompanie/ 6. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade “Langemarck”. Condition as seen. Smaller than postcardsize.

Knight’s Cross: “On 29.07.1944 Schrijnen was serving as the crew of a Pak 40 in the middle of a major Soviet tank/infantry attack. His position was hit by a heavy artillery barrage, with several rounds impacting just 10 metres behind the gun. Schrijnen was hit by several shell splinters, but the four other crewman all became casualties. Under the weight of the Soviet attack the order was given to withdraw. Schrijnen however disobeyed the order and remained behind to cover his comrades. Despite being wounded, exhausted and vastly outnumbered he was still able to knock out 4 T-34s and 3 IS-2s before his gun was destroyed. Later, counterattacking German forces found Schrijnen unconscious on the battlefield. He would receive the Knight’s Cross for his actions this day as well as for prior successes as an anti-tank gunner.”

Original 2x Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Manfred Büttner. Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Manfred Büttner (25.02.1921 in Spittelndorf † 29.05.1992 in Plön) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on April 29, 1945 as Fahnenjunker und Feldwebel of 2. Kompanie/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 26 of the 9. Fallschirmjäger-Division. Bit smaller as PC. Signed on the reverse. Set of 2!