Red gowns worn by People's Court judges

[redjames2004]

I just finished watching the new movie " The Valkyrie" with my friend at a local movie theater today. I noticed that the Nazi People's Court judges wore red gowns with gold eagles on right side of the red gowns near the end of the movie. Judge Roland Freisler wore red gown with red cap that resembled that of a Roman Catholic Cardinal in that movie and another movie " Sophia Scholl" The White Rose movie. Do any red Nazi People's Court judge's gown and red hat survive the war to today? I would like to see the actual red gown and red hat. Any info are appreciated. Thanks!

[Bob Clark]

Third Reich Judicial Robes

Great Topic! I too have always thought these judges gowns with eagle and swastika were very simple, elegant and packed a visual punch. Yes, a "nazi cardinal", so to speak.
It would be great to see a period color photo of this robe in wear. I'm not sure if one exists. Anyway. I'm with you on this one.
Bob

[NickG]

From the movie "Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage" (2004),
Movie about "Die Weiße Rose" resistance movement from Munich.

[NickG]

The actor judge in Valkyrie with a red backed golden bullion breast eagle!!

[NickG]

Here a real period image (in color no less!) of Judge Roland Freisler

[Jeff Clark]

Great period color image, thanks for sharing!

[Robin Lumsden]

I've still got my old red gown from my student days.

It's almost identical.

Just missing the eagle.

Maybe I should stick it on the estand.

[stonemint]

Great topic--I had wondered if he truly wore red as depicted in film, and now we know. I would have to believe that these Court officials would be entitled to wear the Government Officials uniform off the bench, but that is just speculation on my part.

Here is a German Judges cap of the Third Reich era on a dealer site:

[stonemint]

There is a specific name for these caps, I just can't recall it right now. Note the purple velvet:

[stonemint]

Interior--note Berlin tag:

[TxGauleiter]

Period photo from the trial of the July 20 conspirators, unfortunately not in color:

[HPL2008]

There is a specific name for these caps, I just can't recall it right now.

In Germany, these caps have always been referred to by the rather generic term Barrett. [= beret]

Great topic--I had wondered if he truly wore red as depicted in film, and now we know.

Different colors were used by different types of courts. To my knowledge, it broke down like this:

dark red = Reichsgericht
light red = Volksgerichtshof
black with blue facings = Reichspatentamt
black = other courts

This type of system is actually still alive in Germany, see here for contemporary examples of German judges at three different levels of courts (scroll down):

http://www.filibustercartoons.com/judges.htm

This might also be of interest here:
http://www.tenzor.cz/lbsr/dr/mdj/MdJ.html

I would have to believe that these Court officials would be entitled to wear the Government Officials uniform off the bench, but that is just speculation on my part.

Indeed, the higher-ranking ones were. This included:

Präsidenten und Vizepräsidenten der Gerichte bis hinab zu den Präsidenten größerer Landgerichte [= Presidents and Vice Presidents of courts down to and including major State Courts]

Oberreichsanwälte [= Chief Reich Attorneys]

Generalstaatsanwälte [= State Attorney Generals]

Leitende Oberstaatsanwälte bei den Landgerichten [= Chief State Attorneys at the State Courts]

See here (Sorry, German Language only):
http://books.google.de/books?id=NoDJ...A290&lpg=PA290

Some info can also be found in John R. Angolia's "In the Service of the Reich"

[stonemint]

In Germany, these caps have always been referred to by the rather generic term Barrett. [= beret]




Different colors were used by different types of courts. To my knowledge, it broke down like this:

dark red = Reichsgericht
light red = Volksgerichtshof
black with blue facings = Reichspatentamt
black = other courts

This type of system is actually still alive in Germany, see here for contemporary examples of German judges at three different levels of courts (scroll down):

http://www.filibustercartoons.com/judges.htm

This might also be of interest here:
http://www.tenzor.cz/lbsr/dr/mdj/MdJ.html




Indeed, the higher-ranking ones were. This included:

Präsidenten und Vizepräsidenten der Gerichte bis hinab zu den Präsidenten größerer Landgerichte [= Presidents and Vice Presidents of courts down to and including major State Courts]

Oberreichsanwälte [= Chief Reich Attorneys]

Generalstaatsanwälte [= State Attorney Generals]

Leitende Oberstaatsanwälte bei den Landgerichten [= Chief State Attorneys at the State Courts]

See here (Sorry, German Language only):
http://books.google.de/books?id=NoDJ...A290&lpg=PA290

Some info can also be found in John R. Angolia's "In the Service of the Reich"

Thanks for the lead and info, HPL--I wish that book was available in English.

I am surprised we do not see "third reich Judge's robes" for sale--all the fakers have to do is add an eagle.

[Arran]

I had an original black judges robe years ago which I sold at the Great Western. The eagle on it was superb, worked on silver (not aluminum) bullion, and with the eagle's head facing to its right...

[redjames2004]

Re; Nazi People's Court

Wow!!! My thread on this Nazi court judge's gown and hat finally got many postings after few days after I made this thread. Very interesting to read many postings!!! I never saw any Nazi judge in pictures or in flesh until you guys finally posted some pictures of a actual Third Reich judge's hat. It was actually purple in color not in red I saw in movies. Anyway its very nice to see a actual Nazi-era court judge's hat in pictures that was proved by Stonemint. Unfortunately we are unable to see a actual Nazi People's Court judge's red gown and hat. I assumed that they are destroyed in war. Anyway, Thanks much for breathing life in my thread regarding the Thrid Reich-era judges! Thanks!