The Schninkel Ribbon Bar Eagle Study

[Alan_G]

German ribbon bars displayed a huge variety of miniature long service eagles made by different artists and manufacturers.

Here is a study into one particular type of ribbon bar eagle, "The Schinkel". Distinctively different to all other ribbon bar eagles by it's broader and more square shaped wing span.

From my study of these devices, I can say that there were several different designs within the manufacture. Although they followed the same trend of having broad wings, with a tip bearing 4 primary wing feathers, not all of these devices are exactly the same, and the variations show around the body, within the wings, size and shape of the swastika and most importantly the definition of the eagles head.

[Alan_G]

This is the first example I would like to share with you.

This is one of the most detailed varieties of the eagle I have seen. The detail to the birds is crisp and the eagles heads are very well struck and clearly shows the eye and beak. This eagle is 9mm tall. The eagles have been "sculptured" / sawn short to fit this ribbon bar.

[Alan_G]

Here is another example of a well stamped eagle. It is very similar to the first eagles shown here, but there are very slight differences.

The eagles head is tiny, and shows very little detail. The wreath and swastika are slightly smaller, as is the width of the 4 primary feathers. The coverts come in on a straight angle in this type.

Other variations are the eagles feet are further apart on this type, and there is a very subtle join in the wreath between the feet, whereas in the previous example both feet were touching. The feet on this example have less detail.

[Alan_G]

This example is almost identical to the previous eagle.

Although there is a slight upward lift in the primary feathers of the left hand wing and the definition of the feathers is deeper.

There is better definition to the eagles head and a clearer beak. The swastika is a neater shape also in this type. The previous example being slightly out of line.

[Alan_G]

These two birds have oval shaped wreaths, which do not have a perfectly formed edge, the top of the wreaths being thicker, and narrowing down towards the bottom. The swastikas are neat and central.

The eagles body is slightly fatter than the other examples shown so far, and follow the same design of "pineapple lines" on the breast.

The neck of the eagle is almost existent, and the head grows directly from the body.

[Alan_G]

A nice matching pair with larger swastikas and wreaths. The heads on these two eagles are more square shaped with a small beak.

[Alan_G]

These birds are poorly stamped/pressed examples showing little or no detail across the whole design, indicating that the die used to make these was at the end of it's life.

These examples are the same shown in post #5 with wider bodies and slightly thicker wreaths.

The wing of one bird has snapped off over time. Probably from getting caught or snagged in the line of duty.

[luftkrieg]

Great information and presentation Alan!

I am a fan of Schinkel eagle devices and am lucky to have a few in my collection.

Kind regards
Pierce

[Alan_G]

Thanks Pierce :-)

[Antonio Scapini]

Thanks for showing us this presentation Alan! Indeed a good work!

[Alan_G]

Here is a scan of the Schinkels compared next to the usual, thin winged eagles of German ribbon bars which are more commonly found within this field of collecting.