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**ErichS** · 01-11-2015, 05:59 PM

The only collectable pieces these days are the formal and informal silver patterns . Other patterns even if original would be hard to sell if you ever had to.

**Br. James** · 01-12-2015, 09:46 AM

Erich tells it like it is! For myself, I do believe there were probably quite a few sets of silverware given to AH over the years, for Führergeburtstag and on many other occasions, and such sets were of varying degrees of silver content or plating, were in fitted cases, and were both full sets of place-settings and of individual pieces such as six or eight matched spoons or forks. These sets were bought at local jewelers and engraved with a variety of monogram styles, to please the giver, and were sent to Hitler at one of his several residences or offices.

I believe this because I have seen testimonials from vets who "liberated" such silverware from the Obersalzberg Administration or from Berlin and who had their remembrances accepted by a notary public or other official source. That being said, without such testimonials, such silver pieces are simply unverifiable as to origin and they could have been made up last week, anywhere in the world!

The difference, IMHO, between such gift pieces and those accepted as AH Formal and Informal Pattern silverware is the original intention for the piece's creation. Pieces in the Formal and Informal Patterns have been found in a wide variety of known Hitler sites -- his residences, offices, field headquarters, etc. -- and were purchased in bulk with the intention of their being used at major events involving guests from around the world. Such events included formal State dinners and receptions held by Hitler at one of the Reichschancellery dining rooms, at the Berchtesgaden Reichschancellery or at the Führerbau in Munich, or at more private dinners and events held at the Berghof or the Prinzregentenstrasse apartment. Such sites have been documented by a number of persons who attended or witnessed such events and the silverware used there.

Since the various other flatware patterns were unsolicited gifts from numerous sources, and they were often small sets of individual pieces, they could obviously not be used at table for a State occasion, and they wound up being sent to permanent storage in one location or another, to be finally discovered and "liberated" by passing victorious GIs years after they were given.

That's my take on the question! Cheers, my friend,

Br. James

**Knight_ridergta** · 01-12-2015, 10:42 AM

Maybe a third pattern of silverware dubbed, "The lost order for the Fuhrer" will surface someday.

Originally posted by ErichS View Post

The only collectable pieces these days are the formal and informal silver patterns . Other patterns even if original would be hard to sell if you ever had to.

**Knight_ridergta** · 01-12-2015, 10:45 AM

I believe because of the same reasons as you!

It is true that the market is for the official patterns, but I still like the other patterns when I come across a piece that I feel comfortable about.

Thanks for all the great info!

Originally posted by Br. James View Post

Erich tells it like it is! For myself, I do believe there were probably quite a few sets of silverware given to AH over the years, for Führergeburtstag and on many other occasions, and such sets were of varying degrees of silver content or plating, were in fitted cases, and were both full sets of place-settings and of individual pieces such as six or eight matched spoons or forks. These sets were bought at local jewelers and engraved with a variety of monogram styles, to please the giver, and were sent to Hitler at one of his several residences or offices.

I believe this because I have seen testimonials from vets who "liberated" such silverware from the Obersalzberg Administration or from Berlin and who had their remembrances accepted by a notary public or other official source. That being said, without such testimonials, such silver pieces are simply unverifiable as to origin and they could have been made up last week, anywhere in the world!

The difference, IMHO, between such gift pieces and those accepted as AH Formal and Informal Pattern silverware is the original intention for the piece's creation. Pieces in the Formal and Informal Patterns have been found in a wide variety of known Hitler sites -- his residences, offices, field headquarters, etc. -- and were purchased in bulk with the intention of their being used at major events involving guests from around the world. Such events included formal State dinners and receptions held by Hitler at one of the Reichschancellery dining rooms, at the Berchtesgaden Reichschancellery or at the Führerbau in Munich, or at more private dinners and events held at the Berghof or the Prinzregentenstrasse apartment. Such sites have been documented by a number of persons who attended or witnessed such events and the silverware used there.

Since the various other flatware patterns were unsolicited gifts from numerous sources, and they were often small sets of individual pieces, they could obviously not be used at table for a State occasion, and they wound up being sent to permanent storage in one location or another, to be finally discovered and "liberated" by passing victorious GIs years after they were given.

That's my take on the question! Cheers, my friend,

Br. James

**Bob Hritz** · 01-12-2015, 10:55 AM

The only AH silverware that is original are the formal and informal pattern which were procured officially through the government. Any alledged "gift patterns' are just kitsch. If a schoolboy paints a mug and mails it to AH, that does not become AH's personal mug. These 'other' patterns may have existed as gifts, but they are still being made today for anyone who chooses to have old patterns engraved. I value them as much as I value old silverware I see at the flea markets. If they are actually silver, they have scrap value.

Bob Hritz

**Knight_ridergta** · 01-17-2015, 12:55 PM

Many collectors feel the same way, the one fire sure thing is that the formal and informal are hot!

Originally posted by Bob Hritz View Post

The only AH silverware that is original are the formal and informal pattern which were procured officially through the government. Any alledged "gift patterns' are just kitsch. If a schoolboy paints a mug and mails it to AH, that does not become AH's personal mug. These 'other' patterns may have existed as gifts, but they are still being made today for anyone who chooses to have old patterns engraved. I value them as much as I value old silverware I see at the flea markets. If they are actually silver, they have scrap value.

Bob Hritz

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Adolf Hitler "gift" pattern flatware, real or not?

Adolf Hitler "gift" pattern flatware, real or not?

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