Ratisbon’s 55th Contemporary History Auction

The next German militaria auction at Ratisbon’s runs from 3-11 June and is a timed, online auction with an expected catalogue of 1,435 lots. Let’s start with a HJ leader’s visor cap with red piping and an original attached RZM tag. The cap comes with a 2nd pattern cap eagle attached with three prongs. Lovely silver finish. Textbook enamelled cap badge with two prongs. This is the correct type of diamond only attached to caps. Silver cord to the top and bottom of the brown cap band. Soft leather visor. Period time attached ‘Tuchmütze’ RZM tag underneath the sweat-band. Brown cotton lining marked ‘DEUTSCHE WERTARBEIT’. Starting price is £1,649 and BP is 22.5%.

Fresh out of storage, it’s an unworn black M43 field cap worn by Panzer EM/NCO of the WaffenSS.

Heer and Waffen-SS are of the same style (apart from the insignia) but this example also shows the typical three-digit SS factory stamp. In this case ‘371’. Machine-woven insignia machine-attached to the cap. Silk lining. ‘57’ size marked. Starting price is £1,301.

There are a few items that belonged to Hauptmann Wieler in the auction so here’s a Tank Destruction Badge in Silver to Wieler who served with ArtillerieRegiment 85 (field mail number 19768). The tank is made of black cloth. Sewn on two silver braids. Black piping on the top and bottom. Field grey cloth backing. Taken from a tunic. Signs of wear. A nice field-made piece. Bidding starts at £433.

Another item where the original owner has multiple lots up for grabs is an ‘AFRIKA’ cuff title awarded to a paratrooper. Brown ribbon with machine-embroidered letters and palm trees. Taken from a tunic. Traces of wear. Length: 44.5cm. A worn piece, with bids starting at £173.

We have a feature on propaganda posters this month so if that’s piqued your interest then check out this lot. It’s a colourful poster of the RAD with smiling workers with spades on their shoulders. Published by Verlag Joh. Kasper & Co., Berlin - Amsterdam (K1676), signed in print. Glued to cardboard, yellowed, bumped at the edges. In good condition. Bids start at £130.

Let’s round things off with the rotund figure of Hermann Göring, who was with Hitler almost from the start. This is a fairly ropey portrait photo of Hermann, Minister of the Reich and bearer of the Pour-le-Merité order. Photo slightly tanned, minimally faded, in good condition. Bids start at £86.

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