I realise most will find this thread dull as dishwater but I'm rather excited about this find.
Anyone who done any research into the Reichszeugmeisterei and it's administration will know that actual surviving documents relating to it's day to day administration are not exactly plentiful. We all know that certain companies were awarded RZM approval status but has anyone seen one of these agreement documents before?
I didn't go out looking for anything like this, I just happened to stumble on these today. I was told that they were found in a house clearance recently.
From my own point of view, this is what I find remarkable.
1. Here we have documents relating to the approval of the firm "Valentin Edelmann" and from my limited German, I understand his firm was awarded RZM sub-contractor status (M2) in regards to the manufacture of coins? presses? enamels? and metal insignia (the only one I'm sure of). I have done some research today and I cannot find any reference to this firm at all, although I don't possesss the RZM handbook which might list him.
2. The documents contain all the additional renewal licenses until 1944. Did we know this was how it was done before now?
3. All these documents including the envelope that the first agreement (dated 16.1.37) was sent in have laid undiscovered until this day.
4. The Reichszeugmeister in Munchen from the beginning of the RZM up to 1941 is documented as being one Richard Buchner but the signature doesn't seem to match that name. His predecessor wasSA Obergruppenfuhrer Wilhelm Helfer but that doesn't seem to match either. Are we missing a Reichszeugmeister in our records or was it signed by someone else?
5. Whoever kept these documents also kept the fineprint, i.e, the rules and regulations as set out by the RZM as it's terms and conditions. (At least, that's what I think they are) Can you imagine putting aside a busines contract in the original envelope for 71 years?
Anyway, here are the documents. I'd really appreciate some help with translation etc.
I've copyrighted the images but if you require clean scans please let me know.
Anyone who done any research into the Reichszeugmeisterei and it's administration will know that actual surviving documents relating to it's day to day administration are not exactly plentiful. We all know that certain companies were awarded RZM approval status but has anyone seen one of these agreement documents before?
I didn't go out looking for anything like this, I just happened to stumble on these today. I was told that they were found in a house clearance recently.
From my own point of view, this is what I find remarkable.
1. Here we have documents relating to the approval of the firm "Valentin Edelmann" and from my limited German, I understand his firm was awarded RZM sub-contractor status (M2) in regards to the manufacture of coins? presses? enamels? and metal insignia (the only one I'm sure of). I have done some research today and I cannot find any reference to this firm at all, although I don't possesss the RZM handbook which might list him.
2. The documents contain all the additional renewal licenses until 1944. Did we know this was how it was done before now?
3. All these documents including the envelope that the first agreement (dated 16.1.37) was sent in have laid undiscovered until this day.
4. The Reichszeugmeister in Munchen from the beginning of the RZM up to 1941 is documented as being one Richard Buchner but the signature doesn't seem to match that name. His predecessor wasSA Obergruppenfuhrer Wilhelm Helfer but that doesn't seem to match either. Are we missing a Reichszeugmeister in our records or was it signed by someone else?
5. Whoever kept these documents also kept the fineprint, i.e, the rules and regulations as set out by the RZM as it's terms and conditions. (At least, that's what I think they are) Can you imagine putting aside a busines contract in the original envelope for 71 years?
Anyway, here are the documents. I'd really appreciate some help with translation etc.
I've copyrighted the images but if you require clean scans please let me know.
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