Knight Crosses today

[chen]

Thanks for your input Chen!

Most of the formal swords docs I have been offered in the past did not bear the signature.

I do not necessarily think this is because most formal swords docs in existence were unsigned. I think it has more to do with unsigned ones fluctuating more between collectors than signed ones.

I also have the feeling the ratio between signed and unsigned is about 50/50. Interesting topic ! I simply love the formal docs from an artistic point of view.

Cheers!
Markus

Markus,
Signed one was touched by Hitler before and hence the difference!
Beside the artistic look, the weight of the cassette it also also makes the whole set feels important.

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Kapitänleutnant Günther Heydemann
Kommandant "U 575"
Awarded on: July 3rd, 1943

(Photo credits to Militaria-Scholz and HWMF)

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Unteroffizier Paul Feiertag
Gruppenführer III. / Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 96 / 96.Infanterie-Division
Awarded on: September 30th, 1944

(Photo credits to Militaria-Scholz and HWMF)

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Oberleutnant der Reserve Erich Stein
Führer II./GrenRgt 105
Awarded on: January 3rd, 1944

(Photo credits to Militaria-Scholz and HWMF)

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Hauptmann der Reserve Helmut Wagner
Kommandeur I./GrenRgt 431
Awarded on: December 9th, 1944

(Photo credits to Militaria-Scholz and HWMF)

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Vizeadmiral Kurt-Caesar Hoffmann
Kommandant des Schlachtschiffes Scharnhorst
Presented on: March 21st, 1942

[chen]

Is Thiersch holding the unfinished design prototype ( the border not yet made of real gold and no diamond inlay for the swastika) for the cassette of Goldern Oakleave?

[chen]

If that is really the golden oakleave document prototype, probably looks like either these after adding the diamonds and gold border.

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Oberleutnant Kurt Unruh
Flugzeugführer 2. / Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"
Awarded on: February 29th, 1944

(Photo credits to Holger Thor Nielsen)

[Sepp45]

Swords formal award document to Fregattenkapitan Otto Kretschmer
Kommandant U 99
Presented on: December 26th, 1941

Kretschmer's Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, from Internationales-Militaria Magazin.

(Thanks to my friend Daniel for the scans)

[Sepp45]

Zoom on the Swords presented to Otto Kretschmer (he was in captivity when the Kriegsmarine awarded him this set).

[Sepp45]

The article featured in the magazine about the grouping of Otto Kretschmer.

[Sepp45]

Second part: Kretschmer's KC formal award document! (It wasn't posted on this thread before)

(Once more, thanks to my friend Daniel for scanning the article)

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Wachtmeister Herbert Junge
Geschützführer, 8,8 Flak in Greifenhagen, 4. Batterie, schwere Flak-Abteilung 326
Awarded on: March 13th, 1945

[Sepp45]

Junge's RK preliminary award document and zoom on the cross.