1957 pattern awards

[James Clark]

Can someone clarify the regulations governing the issue of 1957 pattern awards?

As I understood it, only certain awards were reissued in this form, and certainly not SS, SA or NSDAP awards as these organisations had been declared illegal.

My experience up to very recently was that you generally found 1957 versions of military/combat awards. Recipients could buy these in run-of-the-mill jewelers or trophy shops, as long as they had the paperwork proving they were entitled to them.

However, I don't remember seeing civilian awards and assumed this was because civil/service awards were considered NSDAP or affiliated in some way. Being therefore illegal, there would be no reason to make a 1957 version of them.

However, in the past few years I've started seeing 1957 versions of just about everything. Is it just that no-one used to care about them (I certainly don't) or what?

By the way, I always had respect for the man (can't remember his name) who had no time for 1957 awards and continued to wear his Nazi KC back to front because "That was what my commander awarded to me".

Any opinions on this?

James

[Doug See]

I think 1957 awards have a place in a collection. For example, I collect iron crosses from 1813 through 1939. I have one example each of an early 1957 RK, EK1 and EK2. They are all early (1957-60's) pieces made on wartime dies with iron cores and silver frames. In my opinion, they are true iron crosses made for recipients. The quality isn't quite up to original standards, but close.

The later 1957 EK's are mostly junk made for collectors. They are made from a "sta-brite" alloy with non-magnetic centers. Paintwork and finish rates right up there with the folks from Hasbro Toys. I agree with you on the other 1957 combat badges. They rarely come even close to the originals in detail and workmanship. I've seen repro Imperial medals and badges being touted as "1957". I doubt these were ever intended or authorized as replacements for original awards, but made for the "collectibles" market.

[Gordon Williamson]

It was never legally necessary for veterans to prove their entitlement to an award to be able to buy a 1957 replacement. They were sold openly in the sort of shops which sell sporting trophies etc. Any desision not to sell openly was down to the individual shopkeeper. This did happen. I remember a friend wanting to buy me a 1957 RK, and he had to show his membership card for the OdR before they would let him have one, but that was the shop's own rule, not any sort of law or regulation. The only awards which legally required the purchaser to prove entitlement were the actual west German government pices (Bundesverdienstkreuz etc)

Yes, a wide range of civil awards were also made in 1957 form. Only those which strictly related to the NSDAP or SS ,SA etc were prohibited. Awards which were considered civil rather than political (i.e.Police or Customs long service etc) were made in 1957 form.

Initial production pieces generally used correct wartime style hinges. pins etc from leftover stock and tended to have the same matt frosted finish as wartime pieces, only in the late 60s early 70s did the crappy stuff start to appear.
If you find an early bronze 1957 Infantry Assault or a 1957 Naval Artillery badge with the old style pins etc the finish will be every bit as good iof not better than much of the wartime stuff. The eraliest 1957 EKs are just as good as the wartime originals as far as quality is concerned - matt white frosted inner rims, hand burnished edges etc.

Imperial stuff was indeed made official as replacement pieces alongside the 1957 stuff. Bear in mind that in the 60s there were still plenty veteran around who had served in WW1 and had every right to but replacements for their lost awards.

Gordon

[Daniel Krause]

1957 regulations are written in the Law about Titles, Orders and Decorations from the 26.july 1957.

forbidden are decorations of the NSDAP and their organisations and decorations for the restoring of the Großdeutsches Reich

- Nationalpreis für Kunst und Wissenschaft
- Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler
- SS-Dienstauszeichnung
- Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13.März 1938
- Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 01.Oktober 1938
- Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter
- Spanienkreuz
- Ehrenkreuz für Hinterbliebene deutscher Spanienkämpfer
- Verwundetenabzeichen für deutsche Freiwillige im spanischen Freiheitskampf
- Panzertruppenabzeichen der Legoin Condor
- Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes
- Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege
- Deutsches Schutzwallehrenzeichen
- Sportabzeichen, Leistungsabzeichen, Siegerabzeichen

Best Greetings

Daniel

[James Clark]

Thanks again Daniel for coming up with the regulations.

My initial reaction is that it seems a bit unfair on the Legion Condor veterans. They certainly weren't trying to restore the Reich, so I suppose it must be because the Legion Condor was perceived as an NSDAP affiliated entity (because it was sent by the government?)

I agree on the quality issue. I've certainly seen an Assault Badge where I had to look twice before noticing there was no Swastika but the later produced items really are horrible. I succumbed to 1957 style Navy and Luftwaffe Honour Roll Clasps in a moment of weakness, but they are now in my box of shame.

Also, it's quite understandable that an Iron Cross collector would want to include the 1957 variety.

James

[Sebastian Bianchi]

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[Yuri D.]

test

this is a test

[Segmund Tang]

once i have read an article which said KVK had no 1957 patter. but according to Daniel, KVK was not forbiden to be wore. what is the truth?

Best Regards!
Tang Si

[Gerd Becker]

once i have read an article which said KVK had no 1957 patter. but according to Daniel, KVK was not forbiden to be wore. what is the truth?

Best Regards!
Tang Si

Hi Tang Si,

there was an 1957 issue of the KVK. I have seen quite a lot of them.

best,
Gerd

[panzerpionier]

My initial reaction is that it seems a bit unfair on the Legion Condor veterans. They certainly weren't trying to restore the Reich, so I suppose it must be because the Legion Condor was perceived as an NSDAP affiliated entity (because it was sent by the government?)

I think all "outer" and "occupation" German actions (Austria, Memel, Czechoslovakia, Spanish Civil War, West Wall) were considered as "aggresions", and "warmongering", so they were banned.

German government has apologized several times to the Spanish town of Gernica for the SCW bombing, so the SCW German intervention is considered a shame for the Federal Government.

Best regards

[landsknechte]

II remember a friend wanting to buy me a 1957 RK, and he had to show his membership card for the OdR before they would let him have one, but that was the shop's own rule, not any sort of law or regulation.

OdR?

[George Stimson]

Here are a couple of 1957-type Knight's Crosses to the KVK.

[panzerpionier]

I think all "outer" and "occupation" German actions (Austria, Memel, Czechoslovakia, Spanish Civil War, West Wall) were considered as "aggresions", and "warmongering", so they were banned.

I meant "related decorations were banned"

[Ed Tainton]

RK-KVK with Swords

This is mine with swords

[Rolf D.]

Here are three awards that display the early manufacturing high quality.