SA General's sleeve eagle

[Bernie Brule]

In Angolia's book of Uniforms of the SA and NSDAP, he has a picture of an SA General wearing a sleeve eagle similar to this one. Such eagles, according to Angolia are very rare in that they were only worn in 1934 and were discontinued.

However, this one, I was told many years ago, is not original. I'd be interested in opinions and if in fact it is a repro, why have I not seen any others in 30 years of collecting?

[wewelsburg]

Ive read the eagles were in fact worn in place of armbands in wartime,by NSDAP and or possibly SA.But dont know how much weight it holds.It indeed has red backing which it would have if it were real,but never seen a real one.

[ETN]

Honestly, I don't care for this eagle based on it's construction. Does the one pictured in the Angolia book have the same construction?

[Bernie Brule]

Angolia only shows it in wear. I think the general was SA-Gruppenfuhrer Wilhelm Bruckner.

[Br. James]

Hi Bernie,

While I don't have the Angolia book you refer to in my library, over the years I have seen a few photos of high-ranking NSDAP personages other than Hitler himself -- such as Goebbels, Hans Frank and Wilhelm Frick -- wearing this style of PL eagle instead of the armband normally worn, but the pix I have seen were all war-time vintage. It is almost inconvieveable to me to imagine that anyone would have elected to don such an eagle in place of the ever-present NSDAP brassard when Hitler himself would still be wearing the armband for more than four more years! And even the pix I have seen are unusual to the extent that the person wearing the eagle instead of the armband was the highest-ranking individual present on that occasion.

Hope this is helpful,

Br. James

[afrikasandman]

This eagle screams reproduction, they make heer eagles that look exactly like this but in silver. I would rum away from this eagle. Matt

[Bernie Brule]

Hi Matt,

I can run but I can't hide from this eagle as I own it.

Has anyone seen another one like it?

[smitty]

eagle

I have collected bullion eagles for a long time. That one is a really bad reproduction. Smitty.

[klr]

Wolfe-Hardin had one of these at the SOS or the Max. It was a great looking eagle but I think it was priced at $7000.

[wewelsburg]

Exactly what I thought,wartime they wore them.

[adlerfan53]

I have collected bullion eagles for a long time. That one is a really bad reproduction. Smitty.

There is very little known about these eagles. I think it is a little premature to say "run away" from this item. I would say hang onto it until further proof, either way, is found. I really hope that it is legitimate. It would make a great piece if it is.

[A.Doyle]

Hello,
Yes, SA Generals did use these eagles, however I think that having SA-Gruppenführer Brückner as an example is not a good start or a good source of information to understand these rare eagles. Brückner was noted for his flair of individual, non-regulation uniforms according to John Angolia on his book.
The eagle pictured bellow is indeed a bad reproduction. The real eagle had a carmine colour backing, and Bernie`s eagle is light brown. I had one just like this, I bought it in Philadelphia in 1982.
The design of the bird, the detalis and quality is not what to expect of an item made for a general. Take a real good look to the SA kepi´s eagle belonging to SA-Stabschef Viktor Lutze, on pages 215 and 217 of Angolia´s book. I imagine that the sleeve eagle must have the same quality, like the one pictured on page 220.
Aylson Doyle

[Bernie Brule]

The real eagle had a carmine colour backing, and Bernie`s eagle is light brown.
Aylson Doyle

The backing is a dark reddish colour.. It's my photographic skills that are lacking.

[Mainemilitaria]

There's no question about the SA Leadership occassionally photographed with a "Hitler style" sleeve eagle......and again, no question that the eagle under discussion is an "old" reproduction, nowhere near the embroidery quality of any German or Italian bullion insignia maker.....worth his salt!

Certianly sucks to find a "treasure" has turned into a "lump of coal" but has and will happen again, to us all.....nature of the beast, as they say. You might call it a "locally made variation", but the "local" was probably India or Pakistan (even then) and, of course, "that" would be less than truthful!

Has it's own "place in collecting" as an old reproduction (if that's you're thing....)
Wish it were a "winner"...sorry.....
John G.

[Bernie Brule]

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