Weird Swastika Thing

[Craig Gottlieb]

I'm not at all sure which forum to list this on, but I received this as part of a very large group, DIRECTLY out of the woodwork, about 4 weeks ago. I have no idea what it is, but I'm fairly certain that it's no type of award ... more of a "cultural" item so to speak. Anyway, if anybody has information on this piece (who made it, for example), I would be grateful.

[sgstandard]

Pin

Post a closeup of the logo on the back.

[Craig Gottlieb]

It's really hard to see (and I don't think my camera can shoot it), but there is a "down arrow" with a little serif coming off of the top of the mark, extending down to the left. Beneath that, a 900.

[David Guist]

The 900 could be a silver content mark ?

[Craig Gottlieb]

Yes, the 900 is definitely a silver content mark. I will endeavor to take a picture of the trademark today.

[sgstandard]

Pin

The design is similar to other curtural items I've seen. Too bad it doesn't say, "Otto Gahr". Very nice regardless. I really like the color or patina on it.

[Military]

In my opinion, more and more of such 'cultural' stuff has come out of the woodwork and perhaps high time for admin to create a political sub-forum for these? A more thorough discussion can be sought then. JMO.

Mil

[Br. James]

Yes, we've recently seen a number of pieces of silver jewelry on WAF bearing runic symbols of all kinds, and this looks like yet one more. It's the kind of thing one would expect to see at the gift shop in the Haus der deutschen Kunst in Munich, which called much attention to Nordic mythology with their lavish annual parades celebrating their version of Germanic history. I agree that this is developing into a new genre of specialized collecting, and hopefully we will see some solid research on these social symbols.

Br. James

[Craig Gottlieb]

Interesting feedback. I do think that a "cultural" section (although Nazi culture is by definition in my opinion, fake and degenerate) would be worthwhile. And yes ... I did expect this to be Gahr marked ... the style reminded me exactly of the kind of stuff they produce. I think it would be interesting if the markings on the reverse could lead to a discovery of what this piece is. I will post photos later of the trademark.

[Gary Symonds]

Isn't the pin lock system typically American?

[jabnus]

A very nice brooch, but in my opinion definately nothing to do with Gahr. The quality is not up to Gahr standards.

I have a thing for this kind of brooches and collect them whenever i run into one. A real LOT of those have been made before and during the war, many the product of handicraft and all in different quality. Some look like someone with rough tools crafted them in his backyard, others are more proffesional. Remember that the use of runes was largely promoted in the mid 30's and later by several organisations, and this found it's way on female jewelry. They are fun objects that don't break the bank (yet) and even more fun to research. I even devoted a whole chapter on the Dutch brooches in my upcoming book (yes, we had our own on theGgerman brooches inspired Dutch brooches ).

For a brooch like this i'd give 30 - 40 euro. Not everything that shines is gold...

best regards,
Gaston


ps: a cultural forum would be nice and i don't want to sound negative on forehand, but with all the obvious crap being posted in "The Thread" a lot of people have lost fun in even participating there already anymore. I can see a cultural forum going the same way very quickly, with people who post obvious crap in an attempt to make money and with a big mouth, being protected by the WAF mod team... I think such a forum (which could be a very interesting historical discussionplatform if threated with sense going after the facts!) could be great, just like THAT thread ha some amazing posts that are now lost in a big pile of crap. Sorry to post this here in your topic Craig, just wanted it off my chest.

[Michael Fay]

A very nice brooch, but in my opinion definately nothing to do with Gahr. The quality is not up to Gahr standards.

I have a thing for this kind of brooches and collect them whenever i run into one. A real LOT of those have been made before and during the war, many the product of handicraft and all in different quality. Some look like someone with rough tools crafted them in his backyard, others are more proffesional. Remember that the use of runes was largely promoted in the mid 30's and later by several organisations, and this found it's way on female jewelry. They are fun objects that don't break the bank (yet) and even more fun to research. I even devoted a whole chapter on the Dutch brooches in my upcoming book (yes, we had our own on theGgerman brooches inspired Dutch brooches ).

For a brooch like this i'd give 30 - 40 euro. Not everything that shines is gold...

best regards,
Gaston


ps: a cultural forum would be nice and i don't want to sound negative on forehand, but with all the obvious crap being posted in "The Thread" a lot of people have lost fun in even participating there already anymore. I can see a cultural forum going the same way very quickly, with people who post obvious crap in an attempt to make money and with a big mouth, being protected by the WAF mod team... I think such a forum (which could be a very interesting historical discussionplatform if threated with sense going after the facts!) could be great, just like THAT thread ha some amazing posts that are now lost in a big pile of crap. Sorry to post this here in your topic Craig, just wanted it off my chest.

Craig: interesting piece, sorry I dont know anything about it to help you-I personally believe you will never find out who made it as I believe many small firms made items in a similar vein with a semi-grecian border and Sonnenrad swaz design...

Gaston: for your edifying thoughts on the cultural thread; YOU ARE MY HERO!

[Br. James]

Hi Craig,

Some thoughtful comments here, as we expect and appreciate! There is obvious interest in the brooch you began this thread with; will you be offering it in your upcoming auction?

As regards a 'cultural section' here on WAF, I think that would at least provide further focus toward categorizing threads. I for one often forget where I saw a piece originally discussed, and since discussions often spring out of other lines of conversation within the same thread, this would probably be helpful. And while I personally don't disagree with your opinion that "Nazi culture is by definition ... fake and degenerate," I'm sure that many would argue that EVERYTHING we discuss here and on similar sites are 'abominations,' and trying to convince them otherwise would be like a holocaust denier trying to convince a person whose whole family was murdered at Birkenau that such things never happened. We are all on much more positive ground when we keep the conversation above the level of emotion and sentiment. IMHO, of course!

Cheers, my friend,

Br. James

[Craig Gottlieb]

Yes, since you asked, it will be offered in the upcoming auction, James.

By way of background, it came out of the woodwork pinned to a flag, with a lot of other items. I don't expect it to bring zillions of dollars ... I was just curious what it was and if anybody knew. I guess Nazis had to buy something for their wives when they went on business trips, and what better way to say "I love you" than with a silver swastika broach!

[petopoint]

Agree

In my opinion, more and more of such 'cultural' stuff has come out of the woodwork and perhaps high time for admin to create a political sub-forum for these? A more thorough discussion can be sought then. JMO.

Mil

I too believe we could use a section pertaining to items such as this. There is so much non military/civil items such as privately produced, Reich era homemade, and specialty that could be discussed.