anyone ever seen one of these before

[kck]

Can anyone help ID this? Thanks in advance.
Kurt

[kck]

two more pictures

[Rangemaster]

Hello Kurt:

It looks like it may be an old Austrian? street sign for a shop of some sort. I can't exactly make out the lettering of the inscription. How big is it? I does not seem to have a military connection of any sort.

Best regards

[kck]

It is about 18 inches tall. It has the remnants of paint and German writing on both sides. What I can make out is a Soldiers name. I thought maybe it was the German or maybe the Austrian version of the service flags that we hang in the window to show we have a loved one serving in the Military. It has the date 1824 on it. In fact if you can zoom in on the picture of the lower portion it has 18 on the left side and 24 on the right side.
Thanks Kurt

[Rangemaster]

Hello again Kurt:

Yes, I do see "18" on the left side. Also the name "Bernhard? M.... K...." It is a bit small for a shop street sign. There is a lower part that was suspended from the three (3) slots, so there is something missing on the bottom however. I do now also see rifles (with bayonets) in the talons of the eagle in addition to a scepter and a sword. So, there IS some sort of military affiliation. An interesting original old item. I am still leaning toward an old street sign for a shop. A complete mystery to me. But, I like it!

Best regards

[kck]

Thanks Rangemaster,
I have never seen anything like it before. While I lived in Europe I went into every Antique store and Trodel mart I could find, I saw alot of neat stuff but never one of these. Thanks for the response. I am sure one of the forum members has a dozen of these in his basement. Maybe someone could post similar items for comparison.
Kurt

[speedytop]

Hi,

I think, that it is a part of a "Gasthofschild" (inn sign).

See for example:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8986443...0061/lightbox/

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...13661153wIWPnj

It could be:

Eberhard Munser Kernwirth

Eberhard Munser is the personal name, Kernwirth is the name of the inn:

http://www.tiscover.com/unterkunft/h...t-acc967679at/

Uwe