Adolph Hitler Fork-Pattern?

[Jeff Nichols]

This fork came in a recent find with an informal AH knife,formal AH spoon, and an AH linen napkin, along with many other items. I am not familiar with this pattern. The H is nicely done over the A on the bottom handle of the fork and on the back on the bottom handle is a political style eagle with 1942. According to the vet it was taken off Hitler's train. From a little research I see there are many rarer patterns of AH silverware in addition to the formal and informal patterns. Anyone ever see this type before?
Thannks...Jeff

[Jeff Nichols]

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[Jeff Nichols]

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[Jeff Nichols]

maker mark

[Br. James]

Dear Jeff,

In a word, no, I've never seen this overlapping AH pattern on any tableware setting in my memory, so I checked Jim Yannes' recent books on the subject and it does not appear there, nor in Dr. Mark Griffith's classic "Collectors Guide to 'Liberated' Adolf Hitler Memorabilia." Even Charley Snyder's "Treasure Trove" doesn't offer a sample of this particular pattern. But it did look somehow familiar to me, so I went further and there it was! An elaborated example of this pattern of initials appeared in the large bronze crest atop Hitler's office doorway from the Marble Gallery in the New Reichschancellery! Now, what connection this would have to the piece of flatware you now own, or the date "1942" and the eagle and swas on its handle's reverse, is anyone's guess! Sorry I can't offer you more, but there it is! Do let us know if you come across something concrete as to this tableware pattern.

Br. James

[Jeff Nichols]

Thank You Jim this is veryyyy interesting...Jeff

[mametz]

That eagle and date lettering looks very crude, would that be acceptable
quality for the main mans table?
Regards
Mametz

[Jeff Nichols]

Mametz, its probably my photos, my picture taking qualities aren't the best. Under a loop you can see it is done quit nicely. When you say the main man's table the question is which table? He has dinned with his troops in the field and many other guests all over the place. Thanks for your input...Jeff

[mametz]

I thought it was said it was taken off Hitlers train
Regards
Mametz

[tystgaard]

Hi

Hi

Sorry to say this. But it is my opinion that this is no way a original item.
And yes.. that ugly eagle says it all.... sorry

Nicolai

[Jeff Nichols]

Yes Mametz, thats the way it was conveyed to me. Whether the vet embellished the story or not I do not know, but as you said the main man's table which could have been on a train or off a train,,,Jeff

[Jeff Nichols]

Thanks Nicolai I appreciate your input also. IMO the fork is period original but the question is when were the initials put on it? In hand the initials are very well done. Anyway I did not know if this might of been an unknown pattern or not as I donot collect AH silverware hence the reason for posting. Thank You again gentleman...Jeff

[Scott]

Ive seen this pattern before.
Ive also seen this style of cutlery with a Himmler (HH) monogram, A Hitler Berghof style monogram and a Hitler block AH monogram. Take your pick, there's bound to be many more I haven't come across. More than likely to be an fairly modern engraving on a period piece.

[Br. James]

You're right, Scott. The basic flatware pattern is similar to a number of other examples I've seen, particularly in Göring cutlery pieces. I have a cake/pie server in a similar handle pattern with the Göring family crest engraved on the obverse. Most if not all of these AH, Göring and other high-ranking Nazi tableware settings were probably gifts given by an admiring public, and they were normally fashioned of silver -- either 'sterling quality' of 925 or higher silver content or of a nickel silver amalgam known as German silver marked at 800. Jeff's fork is not marked with any silver content, so it is probably of stainless steel, which is not the quality that one would find on the tables of the elite National Socialist leadership.

While Googling for "Mangasil" as a manufacturer's name, the closest I could come was Pfeiffer-Manga, the name of a stainless flatware style currently made. The Bohemian (Czech) tableware firm of Pfeiffer & Lowenstein was taken over during Nazi times and apparently went out of business in 1949. Today there exists a stainless steel cutlery firm named for Joseph Pfeiffer, the founder of Pfeiffer & Lowenstein in the 1890s, but this firm does not appear to have any connection with the original firm.

Br. James

[all1knew]

here's one I have just like it:

http://wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/s...d.php?t=735716

William Kramer