NSKK Reiter Top

  
One of the epitomes of all Third Reich Eagles, this Reiter Top was designed to sit atop the Standartes for the SS and the NSKK. It stands approximately 9 inches high and has an 8 inch wingspan. These were produced in 1935 by the Otto and Carolina Gahr firm who were famous for being the silversmiths to the SS and manufacturer of the SS Honor ring. They were also responsible for other pole tops manufactured during the Third Reich. Some of the original gilt finish of the eagle still remains and shows the extraordinary craftsmanship that went into the design of this piece. The poletop consists of a spout for the horizontal flagpole with an integrated vertical crossbar to hold the bunting. The Eagle and the grommet have remnants of the original gold gilding, with the silver swastika and the oak leaf wreath. At the back of the spout exhibits the maker's mark, "Gahr Munich 1935". This Reiter Top was probably used by the NSKK (The National Socialist Motor Corps) who were a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party that existed from May 1931 to 1945. The primary aim of the NSKK was to educate its members in motoring skills and also to transport German Army troops, supplies and ammunition. From author's collection.

Mildenburg Wooden Carved Eagle

  
For those of you who follow this blog would probably know that my study of eagles are usually centred on pieces that are produced in metal. Very rarely do I acquire or study carved wood pieces as they can be a mine field. Wood pieces are much more difficult to determine its authenticity as anyone can use old recycled pieces of timber to sculpt or computer engrave pieces as a one-off. Only through a careful study of the stylised carving pattern and matching those from known examples or with period photos makes the identification water tight. This piece came from a collector who acquired it from Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, near Hesse, Germany, on the southern slope of the Taunus mountains, part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. I will not show the reverse to protect it. It has an imprint that reads "Mildenburg" on the bare wooden surface. Mildenburg is a town in Bavaria, Germany. This eagle's wingspan measures 24 inches across with the height of the piece measuring 16 inches. After purchase, it was carefully cleaned lightly with a touch of distilled water and using a very soft non-abrasive cloth to remove some dirt. No eagles were harmed in the process. From author's collection.

J. Pabst Eagle

 
This is a recently acquired desk eagle which has one of the most beautiful stylised renditions of the third reich eagle. The eagle shows widespread wings and claws firming clutching the wreath that surrounds the mobile swastika. It comes with a solid black marble base that has a beautiful vein pattern. The eagle is cast in metal with some patination as shown in the photographs. On the reverse at the bottom of the wreath shows the artist's signature J. Pabst - for Josef Pabst who created these pieces and he was a stone mason and sculptor. These pieces are much, much more scarce than the Nuremberg eagle examples. From author's collection.