S&L Still Selling (Making) 57 Awards

[Skyhawk]

Hi Nigel,

All very good questions that should be answered...........

I wonder if any of our German members live close enough to pay StuL a visit?

Does anyone know if they have a small showroom for the public?

Best,

Jeff

[Tom B]

All very good questions. Just a few years I contacted them to find if they were still making 57ers of any kind and I was told no. They answered my email only after several attempts by me. Elite Militaria was a big customer of theirs, maybe they would know when S&L stopped making them ? In 1988 when I visited S&L they did have a customer show room, and like I have said I made a few purchases "over the counter". Tom

[Nigel N]

Thanks Tom!!!
I think it would be interesting to know how and when S&L's long production period finally ended!!
I am surprised they didn't make some special edition's to commemorate the end of an era????
-Nigel

[Tom B]

The photo posted below shows a doorway on the left. The show room was just after you entered that door. Who in our 57 group lives in Germany ?? I have noticed Elite offers less S&L items. I think Tony purchased their last cased RK with Oaks & Swords, as they do not offer them any more. I suppose some one could telephone them ? (if they still list their number on their website.) Tom

[Tony T-S]

I think you're right Tom. Very glad I snapped it up. On another note, it is interesting to see how far back the arguments go over 57er language.

[Tom B]

I sent an email to a friend in Germany...at his first opportunity he will make the trip to S&L IF he can't reach them by telephone. For him a trip of about 30 miles. Tom

[Schickle93]

I contacted S&L via Email in the summer of 2011. They were still selling the Knights Cross (57er) and it's case. It shouldn't be a problem to call them....so i guess we will have an update from Tom's friend soon.

By the way: S&L told me that they produce no Knights Crosses with swastika, because it's forbidden in Germany (by the law of 1957). It's strange that we have evidence that they still did it a few years ago. What do you think about that?

Best regards

Nils

[Nigel N]

Hi Nils!
Well S&L may not have sold RK's or EK's with swastika in recent years, but they certainly did in the 60's, 70's and maybe beyond??
-Nigel

[Douglas 5]

Nils ... you must have quit lucky to have been able to get a reply from S&L in 2011 . I had tried it 2 times -a few attempts -- to contact them --- in 2002 and about 2006 again ... even in German ... but never got an answer back .

Douglas

[Tony T-S]

I'm sure they would be very careful about how they answer and questions. I also imagine they want to avoid being seen to support or supply the whole Neo Nazi thingy and rightly so, so I doubt there will ever be any detailed history about what was made and sold.

[Leroy]

By the way: S&L told me that they produce no Knights Crosses with swastika, because it's forbidden in Germany (by the law of 1957). It's strange that we have evidence that they still did it a few years ago. What do you think about that?

For years, I have been told that, in order to get a swastika-cored RK from S&L (at least in the last 10-20 years) you had to know someone in management and that, even then, the crosses were NOT actually put together on the S&L premises. I have no way of knowing if this was true, but I've heard it from multiple sources who had no reason to make it up.

[Schickle93]

For years, I have been told that, in order to get a swastika-cored RK from S&L (at least in the last 10-20 years) you had to know someone in management and that, even then, the crosses were NOT actually put together on the S&L premises. I have no way of knowing if this was true, but I've heard it from multiple sources who had no reason to make it up.

Very interesting! Thanks for this information, Gentry.

@Nigel: I know they were producing these. It's just interesting that they deny the fact.

@Dougals: I will never understand why S&L did this. Ignoring possible customers is a really weird marketing strategie.
If i remember correctly i first contacted them in 2010 and got a reply within 24 hours. There is no way to explain that.

Best regards

Nils

[Tom B]

Very interesting! Thanks for this information, Gentry.

@Nigel: I know they were producing these. It's just interesting that they deny the fact.

@Dougals: I will never understand why S&L did this. Ignoring possible customers is a really weird marketing strategie.
If i remember correctly i first contacted them in 2010 and got a reply within 24 hours. There is no way to explain that.

Best regards

Nils

I know as an American walking into their shop asking questions & buying RK's & Oaks was not something they were use to. I received some pretty "suspect" looks from the people I was dealing with. I hope I get an answer soon from Rolf.

[Tom B]

Just received an email from Rolf. He called them and was told yes they still make and sell 57er's and have a customer area for purchases. ALSO....they do not list them on their website. Thanks to Rolf !!!! Tom

[Steve 5]

Tom, I think a road trip to Ludenscheid is in order !
Prost ! Steve.