Deschler PLMs?

[Don D.]

I was reading "German Medal Makers and Their Marks" by Mark Woods and came acroos an interesting statement on page 123 which states:

"During WW! Deschler made:

Pour le Merite (Blue Max);
Bavarian Military Merit Cross,
the Turkish Star (halbmond),"
and more items.

I sent the author a question about this statement and here is what he sent back:

"Glad that you found some use in the book.

Regarding the Deschler PLM, sadly I do not have any detail photos of their blue max.

I have been back to my original research papers to find out why I made this claim (memory gets worse with age!").

I am certain that they made the PLM as this was reported in an interview given by the last boss of Deschler - Mr Stillner.
Mr Stillner is pictured at his display desk with the PLM visible and he definately says they made them.

Small extract attached. Sorry I can't be any more help than this."

Picture attched below.

Thoughts?

[Robin Lumsden]

Thoughts?

I wonder if they made WW1 tank badges as well.................

[gregM]

...

[Biro]

Interesting discovery Don!

From the pointy little heads on the eagles (particularly top left) and the general wing curvature, I would bet money they were merely offering for sale the type we know as the "S&L" PLM.

Shame the resolution isn't better - a joined 'U & R' would pretty much seal it - but I am in no doubt it is the S&L version.

I blew up the picture as much as I could here.... DESCHLER.

A date on the photo would help of course..

Marshall

[Leroy]

I'm GUESSING that photo is from the 70's.

[Biro]

Yes - someone may well be able to spot a medal on the table that dates the picture more accurately than the very 70's looking dude in the photo.


Marshall

[saschaw]

I'm not aware of any orders(!) that were made by Deschler during WW1. I hardly doubt they made any plm, even post 1918 or post 1945. The one on the picture indeed looks mostly like a StuL - I thought that initially, before reading others' opinions on it.

[regular122]

Well, if the basis for the author's claim is the award on the table, then it certainly points to an S&L style. Hopefully the author can get to his notes. Very interesting indeed.

Don, did you pick up any more info about it on your trek to that show? Steve

[Don D.]

Hi Steve. No new info. The author says that he interviewed Mr Stilner and that is who said that Deschler made PLMs. I doubt if he was around for first hand knowledge of this and may very well have been talking on the fly based upon the items shown in the foto.