Grossdeutschland group

[Nigel N]

Hi Guys, just got this interesting grouping that belonged to a Grossdeutschland vet.
The group appears to date from the late 60's/ early 70's, as the pieces have open hingeblocks, but are still of good quality!!
They belonged to Leutnant Paul Koslick, who originally served in a Luftwaffe flak unit, before transferring to the flak battalion of the Grossdeutschland Division.
He won the EK1/ EK2/ KVK2 w/swords/ GWB/Luft Flak/ GAB & Ostfront
He did'nt rejoin the Bundeswehr, but regularly attended vets re-unions into the 1990's, he sadly passed away in an old folks home near Munich, a few months ago.
The family also have some other stuff, including a collection of wartime photo's, which i will try to add to the group.......medals 626.jpg

medals 627.jpg

[Nigel N]

The group is mounted on a velvet pillow, with green backing, and a hook for mounting on the wall. It looks as though there could have been another stickpin in the top left corner?? I've no clue on the cufftitle, i guess its just a postwar copy, but displays nicely.....medals 628.jpg

medals 631.jpg

[Nigel N]

On to the awards, first, the EK1, magnetic core, and a long pin, thick catch & open hingeblock.........medals 605.jpg

medals 607.jpg

[Nigel N]

[ATTACH]1616695[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]1616696[/ATTACH]

[Nigel N]

Gold Wound Badge........medals 611.jpg

medals 609.jpg

[Nigel N]

[ATTACH]1616704[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]1616705[/ATTACH]

[Nigel N]

Luft Flak......medals 613.jpg

medals 615.jpg

[Nigel N]

[ATTACH]1616714[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]1616715[/ATTACH]

[Nigel N]

General Assault Badge, very heavy piece......medals 617.jpg

medals 619.jpg
Also has "0" marks!

[Nigel N]

[ATTACH]1616720[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]1616721[/ATTACH]

[Nigel N]

And finally, the stickpins......medals 621.jpg

medals 622.jpg

[Nigel N]

medals 624.jpg

medals 625.jpg
I had my doubts about buying this group, because of the later pieces, but i am glad i did, hope you like it too!!
-Nigel

[Mike Yokum]

No doubts in my mind Nigel! Though not early, these are directly from the vets family with solid provenance as you are in direct contact with them. The fact that he didn't join up with the BW explains why they are later pieces and makes perfect sense to me.

What a wonderful display too! Laid out on what I believe is a funeral pillow makes a striking display! Beautiful and a great homage to the man IMO. I sincerely hope you can add the photos!!!

Congrats on a securing a great piece of history for another brave veteran Nigel!!! Well done buddy!

[LuckyLuudje]

Normally these later items are absolutely not collectable in my opinion.
But as a group wich seem to be from one person, it is not really the quality and rarity of the items that counts. In this case the history of the person makes it collectable.

If you can extend the group with personal items like pictures, this group will be more interesting. The pillow makes a nice display.

[Nigel N]

Thanks for your replies guys!!
You both seem to think exactly the same as me If these had been loose pieces with no provenance or attribution, i would'nt have given them a second glance, but as a vet owned group, it is as you say of historical value and interest!
If the vet did'nt buy his replacement awards until later, then thats just how it is.....but i would have loved them to be earlier!!!!
-Nigel