Original 1939 Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st Class) in unmarked construction, featuring a blackened iron core and a silver-coloured frame with the characteristic ribbed border.

The cross displays an attractive, naturally aged appearance, with pleasing patina and signs of genuine period wear. The reverse bears a personal inscription reading “Fw. Maak”, accompanied by a date. This individual marking adds historical interest, although the identity of the recipient and the exact date have not been independently verified.

The award comes with an accompanying original presentation case (Etui) bearing the Iron Cross emblem on the lid. The case is damaged and broken, with deterioration to the edges and noticeable age staining to the interior lining. The reverse of the cross also shows surface wear, scratches and darkened areas consistent with its age and use.

An interesting named example of the 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class, offered together with its damaged case.

Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

Original German commemorative badge issued for the SA-Aufmarsch der Gruppe Nordmark, held in Kiel on 7 May 1933.

The shield-shaped badge features a detailed relief of a German naval warship at sea. The raised inscription reads „S.A. Aufmarsch Gruppe Nordmark“, with „7. Mai 1933 – Kiel“ and a swastika at the bottom.

The reverse retains its vertical pin attachment and circular mounting plate.

An early Third Reich event badge associated with the SA’s regional rally in northern Germany.

Original German SA commemorative badge issued for the Nordmark rally in Kiel on 25–26 May 1935.

The badge features a spread-winged eagle above a vertical sword, superimposed over a swastika and surrounded by an oak-leaf wreath. The sword bears the inscription “NORDMARK VORAN”, while the adjoining arms display “KIEL” and the event date “25.26.5.35”.

The reverse features a vertically mounted pin attachment.

Condition: Shows visible oxidation, age-related wear and discolouration, with areas of wear to the original bronze-coloured finish. The reverse pin attachment is present. Please examine the photographs carefully for the precise condition.

Original German commemorative badge from 1934, associated with the campaign surrounding the Saar plebiscite of 13 January 1935.

The octagonal, bronze-coloured badge features an eagle above a swastika, with two hands clasping beneath it. One wrist is shown with a broken chain, symbolising the campaign for the Saar territory to return to Germany.

The badge bears the inscriptions:

• “Deutsch ist die Saar” — The Saar is German
• “1934”
• “Des Deutschen Ehre ist die Treue” — The German’s honour is loyalty

The design is attributed to medal artist Richard Klein and features his initials, RK. The badge is made of metal and retains its original horizontal pin fastening on the reverse. The design and inscriptions are documented in the collection of the Paris Museums.

Condition: Shows age-related wear, surface scratches, oxidation and areas of finish loss. The pin fastening is present.

Original German Winterhilfswerk (WHW) donation badge from the 1936/37 campaign, issued for Gau Ost-Hannover.

The circular badge depicts a running figure carrying a shield bearing the WHW emblem. The surrounding inscription reads “Wir helfen dem Führer”, with “WHW 1936/37” beneath the central design and “Gau Ost-Hannover” along the lower edge.

The badge is made of metal with a silver-coloured finish and retains its original horizontal pin attachment on the reverse.

Condition: Shows age-related wear, surface scratches, oxidation and areas of finish loss. The pin attachment is present. Please examine the photographs carefully for the exact condition.

Original Winterhilfswerk (WHW) commemorative donation badge from the first Winter Relief campaign of 1933–1934. The badge was distributed during the Reich-wide street collections (Reichsstraßensammlung) on 24–25 March 1934.

The circular, silver-toned badge features a detailed German eagle with outstretched wings and a swastika emblem. The surrounding inscription reads „Wir kämpfen gegen Hunger und Kälte“, with „1933–34“ at the bottom.

The reverse retains its original horizontal pin attachment.

An early WHW donation badge from the inaugural 1933–1934 campaign, representing an interesting addition to a collection of Third Reich-era fundraising and commemorative badges.

Condition: Visible age-related wear, surface marks and areas of discolouration.

ffered here is an original 1942 award certificate for the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse (War Merit Cross, 2nd Class), awarded to Eberhard Thost in Hamburg. The certificate is dated Berlin, 30 January 1942 and formally records the award im Namen des Deutschen Volkes.

The recipient is specifically described as “dem Teilhaber Eberhard Thost in Hamburg”, making this an interesting example of the award documentation issued to a civilian participant rather than a conventional Wehrmacht award document.

The document features the striking official design with the large eagle and swastika emblem at the top, together with the large embossed official seal at the lower left. Beneath the award date are the printed/facsimile signatures of Adolf Hitler and Dr. Otto Meissner, giving the certificate its characteristic official presentation.

The relatively early date of 30 January 1942 is particularly attractive, placing the award during the early years of the Second World War. The named Hamburg recipient also provides an opportunity for further research into Eberhard Thost and the circumstances behind his receipt of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz.

The certificate remains in original period condition, with light age toning, minor foxing/discoloration and handling marks. The embossed seal remains clearly visible and the signatures are well preserved.

Offered here is an original 1941 award certificate for the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse, awarded to Albert Malzahn, identified on the document as “Präsidenten der Industrie- und Handelskammer Kiel”, residing in Elmshorn. The certificate is dated Berlin, 1 September 1941 and formally records the award „Im Namen des Deutschen Volkes“.

Albert Malzahn is a particularly interesting recipient. Contemporary and historical records identify him as a leading economic official in Schleswig-Holstein: he served as Gauwirtschaftsberater in Schleswig-Holstein from 1932 until 1940 and was President of the Industrie- und Handelskammer Kiel from 1938 until 1943. He was also a managing director in Elmshorn and chairman of the Landesbank der Provinz Schleswig-Holstein. The official history of the IHK Schleswig-Holstein likewise lists Direktor Albert Malzahn as its president from 1938 to 1943.

This background makes the certificate particularly interesting from a German economic and administrative history perspective. The Kriegsverdienstkreuz was awarded for services connected with the German war effort outside direct combat, and Malzahn’s senior position within the Schleswig-Holstein commercial and economic administration provides important context for why he received the decoration.

The certificate itself is an impressive original document, featuring the large eagle and swastika emblem at the top, the official embossed seal and the printed/facsimile signatures of Adolf Hitler and Dr. Otto Meissner. The combination of the formal award design and the clearly identified senior economic official makes this a particularly desirable piece of original civilian award documentation.

The document remains in original period condition, with a pronounced horizontal fold across the centre, light age toning and minor foxing/discoloration. The embossed seal remains visible and the printed details and signatures are well preserved.

Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Josef “Pips” Priller. Oberst Josef “Pips” Priller (27.06.1915 † 20.05.1961) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on October 19, 1940 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän with 6. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 51, the Eichenlaub on July 20, 1941 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 1. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 51 and the Schwertern on July 2, 1944 as Oberstleutnant und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”. Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

On 6 June 1944 (D-Day), Priller, accompanied by his wingman made a single strafing pass attack on Sword Beach in their Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8s. This act was first brought to the world’s attention by the book, then the film, The Longest Day. Contrary to popular belief, Priller and his wingman (Feldwebel Heinz Wodarczyk) were not the only Luftwaffe forces to attack the beachhead that day. Both Luftwaffe Hauptmann (Captain) Helmut Eberspächer, leading a ground-attack four-plane element of Fw 190s of Schnellkampfgeschwader 10, which downed a quartet of RAF Avro Lancasters at 05:00 over the invasion area, and the Luftwaffe bomber wing Kampfgeschwader 54 made several attacks on the British beachheads on D-Day. (Read more on Josef Priller (Wikipedia))

Original scarce postwar signature of Derk-Elsko Bruins, a Dutch Waffen-SS volunteer and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes).

Bruins served as an SS-Rottenführer und Sturmgeschütz Geschützführer with the 1./ SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 54 “Nederland”, part of the 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division “Nederland”.

Bruins was awarded the Knight’s Cross for his actions during the fighting in the Narva area in July 1944. According to the account cited by Traces of War, on 26 July 1944, Bruins was ordered to help keep open a route to the west for elements of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48, which were encircled between Repniko and Auwere railway station.

During the fighting, his Sturmgeschütz reportedly engaged an attack involving approximately 12 Soviet tanks, destroying five and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Two days later, during another major attack, Bruins’ vehicle reportedly destroyed a further six tanks, giving a total of 11 tanks claimed destroyed during the two combat actions.

The cited contemporary account stated that these actions played an important role in preventing the intended breakthrough.

A particularly desirable signed item for collectors of the Dutch Waffen-SS, Division “Nederland”, Knight’s Cross recipients and Narva/Estonian Front material.

Original and excellent, scarce authentic wartime-signed postcard of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, the famous German commander known as the “Desert Fox.” Postcard size.

The postcard bears an original wartime signature of Erwin Rommel, making this an attractive piece for collectors of WWII autographs, German military history and Rommel memorabilia. Authentic wartime Rommel signatures are highly sought after, particularly given the considerable number of reproductions and forged signatures encountered on the market.

Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel (1891–1944) served in the Imperial German Army during WWI, the Reichswehr during the Weimar period and later the Wehrmacht. During WWII he commanded the 7. Panzer-Division, the German forces in North Africa and, from late 1943, Heeresgruppe B in Normandy. He became internationally known as the “Desert Fox” (Wüstenfuchs).

Details:

• Original WWII period postcard
• Signed by Erwin Rommel
• Postcard size
• Scarce and highly collectible
• Excellent original wartime piece
• Not a modern reproduction or printed signature

A very desirable piece of original Rommel memorabilia, especially for collectors specializing in signed German military material.

Large and interesting original WWII German Panzer photograph grouping consisting of 98 photographs.

The grouping contains an excellent variety of wartime subjects, including German tanks and armoured vehicles, Panzer crews, vehicle recovery and maintenance scenes, winter landscapes, damaged and bogged-down vehicles, military graves and cemeteries, soldiers in the field, transport, aircraft/wreckage, field positions and everyday service life.

Several particularly attractive photographs show Panzer crewmen posed with their vehicles, tanks operating in difficult winter and muddy conditions, armoured vehicles being recovered, and individual portraits of Panzer soldiers in uniform.

The grouping also contains a number of grave and cemetery photographs, including clearly photographed named grave markers, which could potentially make further research possible.

A number of photographs have period handwritten annotations on the reverse, which may provide additional information concerning locations, dates, individuals or events.

The photographs vary in format and condition, with normal age and service wear throughout. Some photographs show staining, creasing, edge wear or other period/storage wear. Please study the photographs carefully for the overall condition and contents.

An excellent and substantial original wartime Panzer photo grouping with a strong mixture of vehicles, personnel and field scenes. Sold together as one group of 98 photographs.

Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny. SS-Obersturmbannführer Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny (05.09.1912 † 25.08.1985) earned the Ritterkreuz on July 30, 1943 as SS-Sturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the III. Bataillon/ SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland”, the Eichenlaub on December 26, 1944 as SS-Obersturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland”, the Nahkampfspange in Gold on March 31, 1945 with the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” and the Schwertern on May 6, 1945 as SS-Obersturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich“.

From Military Wikia: Wiscliceny enlisted in the SS-Stabswache Berlin in 1933, he was posted in 1938 to the Der Führer Regiment, seeing his first action as a company commander in the Balkans in spring 1941. He spent 1941 to 1943 on the Eastern Front and 1944 in France, fighting in all the battles of the senior SS divisions, and being wounded four times. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for leadership of a battalion during the battles for the Kursk salient in July 1943. He received the Oak Leaves on 27 December 1944, at the Normandy invasion front. The Swords were awarded for his actions in the Ardennes, Hungary and Austria. In 1945 he was handed over by the US Army to the French during investigations into his division’s war crimes at Tulle and Oradour-sur-Glane, but was released in 1951. His brother Hauptsturmführer Dieter Wisliceny served in the staff of Obersturmbannfuhrer Adolf Eichmann. He was involved in the deportation of the Hungarian Jews in 1944. He was tried for war crimes and executed in Bratislava on 4 May 1948.

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.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte. Oberst Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte (30 March 1907, München † 7 July 1994, Aham) was a German paratroop officer of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, rising to the rank of Oberst. He earned the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his leadership of Fallschirmjäger units in some of the most famous airborne and defensive operations of the war.

Awards and Decorations:

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 21 August 1940, as Hauptmann and Kommandeur of IV./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1.

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 8 February 1945, as Oberst and Kommandeur of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6.

Career Highlights:

• Entered military service before the outbreak of WWII, joining the elite Fallschirmjäger arm of the Luftwaffe.

• Commanded IV./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1 during the early airborne operations of 1940, where his leadership earned him the Knight’s Cross.

• Fought in multiple theaters including Crete, Italy, and Normandy, gaining a reputation as one of the most experienced paratroop commanders.

• In December 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, he led Operation Stösser, the last major German airborne operation of the war.

• Awarded the Oak Leaves in 1945 for his leadership of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 during these late-war battles.

• After the war, became a respected law professor, politician (CSU), and author, writing extensively on military, political, and legal issues.

• Lived until 1994, making him one of the longest-lived Oak Leaves recipients.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Oberst Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Von der Heydte is among the most recognized Fallschirmjäger leaders of the Second World War. His association with Operation Stösser and his long, active postwar career as an academic and politician make his autograph especially significant. Highly desirable for collectors of elite airborne units, Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves recipients, and Luftwaffe ground commanders.

Original WWII press photograph depicting a formal Appell (assembly) of the NS-Fliegerkorps in Berlin, held on 17 April 1942 to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the founding of the NS-Fliegerkorps (NSFK).

The original typed caption on the reverse states that the ceremony took place at the Schulungshaus des NS-Fliegerkorps in Berlin and was attended by the Ritterkreuzträger of the NS-Fliegerkorps as well as particularly highly decorated members.

The photograph shows a large group of senior NSFK personnel and decorated officers in uniform, with several highly decorated individuals clearly visible. The reverse retains the original period caption and a SIPHO S.A. – Service International Photographique, Bruxelles copyright/press stamp, providing interesting contemporary press provenance.

Details:

• Original WWII period press photograph
• NS-Fliegerkorps (NSFK)
• Berlin, 17 April 1942
• 5th anniversary of the founding of the NSFK
• Group of senior NSFK personnel and Ritterkreuzträger
• Original typed German press caption on reverse
• SIPHO S.A., Brussels contemporary press stamp
• Excellent historical and photographic content
• Original period piece, not a modern reproduction

A very interesting and uncommon original press photograph documenting a formal NSFK ceremony in Berlin in April 1942, with multiple decorated personnel and excellent original press documentation on the reverse.