SA General's sleeve eagle

[luftwaffe blue]

Thanks to all for the input. I was told long ago that it was questionable. I am not disputing that but remain optimistic that it might yet prove to be a good one. Since no one can post a "good" one, how do we really know?

But the one question I have remains: if in fact it's a repro, then why don't we see more of them around

Not all repros are made in abundance for differing reasons.
The fact is it must proven this is original not the other way around, the quality which the era dictated is just not there, best of luck Sean

[Erich B.]

I remember the one(s) that Steve Wolfe had at the Great Western in the 80s or very early 90s--in fact, he bought one there (or Neal did) that was beautifully made and felt like it weighed a pound. The quality was equal to an Army general's hand done eagle, although the style of embroidery was different than the Army types. There was a fake one at the show also and the difference in quality was huge.
I've seen an eagle like this one at least once before--it was on an Afrika Korps movie costume tunic which was set up as a General's tunic. The wool basecloth of the eagle was a reddish brown or brownish red.
Erich

[echoe]

Hi Bernie,
I owned a carmine-backed sleeve eagle that I bought from a Georgia dealer in the 1980's. If I recall accurately, its construction was identical to an army officers breast eagle. The backing had been chewed up by the moths but I reconstructed it using some wool scraped from a (phony?) RFS tab and some Elmer's glue. It had a much larger backing template than the one you posted. I wish I could recall who I sold it to. It may have been Ed. I have to agree with the poster who advised not to sell it just yet (unless you're one of the NJ cops or fire-guys who got fired.)
Best,

Tom Chaney

[Bernie Brule]

I'll keep it close to my heart.

[jwburchell]

Raising this thread - and posting my photos - simply to hear if perhaps anything might have changed regarding the feedback to date or recent findings on the subject bullion breast eagle.

As you can see, this thread was initiated by Forum member and my good friend - the late Bernie Brule - who once owned this bird, which now resides in my collection.

Any and all post-facto comments or feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

John

[11C]

Raising this thread - and posting my photos - simply to hear if perhaps anything might have changed regarding the feedback to date or recent findings on the subject bullion breast eagle.

As you can see, this thread was initiated by Forum member and my good friend - the late Bernie Brule - who once owned this bird, which now resides in my collection.

Any and all post-facto comments or feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

John

You have an eMail....

[jwburchell]

As a further bit of information, I have now done a "black light" test on this bird and it came through with flying...not "glowing"...colours, which I feel to be helpful in the case for it being period-produced.

Still hoping for some additional input.

[11C]

As a further bit of information, I have now done a "black light" test on this bird and it came through with flying...not "glowing"...colours, which I feel to be helpful in the case for it being period-produced.

Still hoping for some additional input.

The black light test is a good indication that this was not created for movies or military reenactments.
"Pigeon-headed" eagle insignia on Carmin Red can often be seen on Italian insignia.

[jwburchell]

Any collectors out there having experience with Italian-manufactured cloth insignia, uniforms, etc. who might venture an opinion on this bird?

Might this item have been produced in Italy for wear on uniforms worn by Italians serving in the German army...or other service?

[Antonio Scapini]

About the eagle I can say it is very interesting, but, to be honest, I don't recognize it as an italian production.
Maybe another foreign production?

[Gunny 249]

In the next week or two I have been invited to make an offer on a SA collection and I was told there was one of these in the collection, I will see if in fact there is one there and if so I will get photos.

[11C]

You have a PM Gunny......

[sgstandard]

Eagle

The eagle in Angolia's book that Bruckner is wearing, is not close enough to discern detail, but on the facing page, there is a closeup, and it looks nothing like the eagle in question. I have a hard time believing that the eagles posted on this thread are authentic.
BTW - what's up with the polka-dots on the bird's chest?

[11C]

The eagle in Angolia's book that Bruckner is wearing, is not close enough to discern detail, but on the facing page, there is a closeup, and it looks nothing like the eagle in question. I have a hard time believing that the eagles posted on this thread are authentic.
BTW - what's up with the polka-dots on the bird's chest?

Anyway you can post up a scan of that eagle?

Bruckner was not Stabschief of the SA and not qualified to wear a sleeve eagle.
Only Otto Wagener (1929–1931)
Ernst Röhm (1931–1934)
Viktor Lutze (1934–1943)
Wilhelm Schepmann (1943–1945)
were SA Stabschiefs and only Lutze and Schepmann would have actually worn a SA sleeve eagle for that rank.

[Erich B.]

An arm eagle was apparently authorized for wear with the rare SA fieldgrey uniform, which is what Bruckner is wearing in the photo.
Erich