Large Swastika Eagle with Wreath - What is it?

[torstenbel]

John, thank you very much for the pics...which are very good quality.. from the pics that I have sent..what is your opinion? I still have not got myself this magnet, but I am quite sure that it is steel and I am also more inclined to think that it is a very well made copy...but then why would they cast in steel and not in Aluminium??...Cheers, Torsten.

maker's mark on swas..

[John Bart]

John, thank you very much for the pics...which are very good quality.. from the pics that I have sent..what is your opinion? I still have not got myself this magnet, but I am quite sure that it is steel and I am also more inclined to think that it is a very well made copy...but then why would they cast in steel and not in Aluminium??...Cheers, Torsten.

Torsten,
My pleasure to post the pics! I am not an expert on these birds but would agree
with John's earlier post that these were manufactured in aluminum. As to the authenticity of yours, I honestly cannot say one way or another. I will say that yours is nicely detailed and if a repro it's a pretty damned good one!

I would suggest you post your bird in the Helmet & Headgear section for additional opinions. Perhaps the very early ones were made of steel, or the later were made of steel due to the shortage of aluminum as demand
for this metal increased as the war grew on. Notice how you see very few tinnies dated 1942/3/4/5, that were cast or stamped in aluminum.
Good Luck!......

[torstenbel]

Thank you John. You are right...I will put this up for discussion on the headgear forum.;...but I am not too hopeful about the outcome in terms of originality..... Cheers, Torsten.

[torstenbel]

Hi Guys, just dug out this badge again and I am still not sure about it...I have got myself a very strong magnet now and this badge is certainly not magnetic at all and I am now certain that it is made from Aluminium...I have compared it with lots of other images from different sources and the front certainly looks like it should be a good one, but the back differs from all other examples I have found and there do appear to be plenty of different variations out there...???....could anyone else shed some new light on the cap badge that I have shown at the beginning of this thread please??? Cheers, Torsten.

[ben baars]

have to get myself a magnet on Monday..but I am quite sure it is steel...Cheers, Torsten.

Torsten, if you use a magnet that is powerful , keep the eagle on the table between your fingers, before testing!! Once I was so "unlucky" that the magnet suddenly took my metal eagle out of my hands at once . Also..... don't put the magnet unattended in the neighbourhood of the eagle. Funny situation , but it you can damage your eagle!!!
Cheers,
Benten

[James Noble]

Just encase some one was wondering how this eagle was worn

[ben baars]

Where is that un-German name "Shako" coming from? Sounds "Japanese".

Benten

[torstenbel]

Where is that un-German name "Shako" coming from? Sounds "Japanese".

Benten

It is Hungarian. They were first worn by Hungarian Hussars and the name for this type of hat in Hungarian is Csako and the German is Tschako and I am not quite sure where Shako comes from? Cheers, Torsten.

[ben baars]

It is Hungarian. They were first worn by Hungarian Hussars and the name for this type of hat in Hungarian is Csako and the German is Tschako and I am not quite sure where Shako comes from? Cheers, Torsten.

Torsten , thanks for your reply.
Cheers ,
Benten

[jwburchell]

Here is the one which I have had for many years, but always believed to be a beautiful replica of an original Third Reich Police Shako Helmet Plate. The dimensions of this one are 6-1/4 x 3-1/4 inches. It is non-magnetic and there are no maker or other markings to be found on it anywhere. I have kept it because the detail is so exquisite.

The only reason I believe it not to be an original helmet plate is because if I put it to paper and move it across the sheet, I could write a letter with it. This tells me that there is lead in the casting, which helps to explain why the detail is so perfect, and also explains why it bends so easily.

I have always understood that lead was never used by the Germans in the production of their insignia (or at least, badges)....but I stand to be happily corrected, because I would love this piece to be an original!

Regards,
John

[jwburchell]

Reverse view:

[torstenbel]

Hi John,

yours is exactly the same as mine. Same detail on the reverse, etc. They have certainly come off the same mould...not tried the lead theory, but will do when I get home tonight. But, yours is also the only other one that I have seen with the same details....have you seen others anywhere? Cheers, Torsten.

[jwburchell]

Yes, Torsten, they sure do look to be identical twins...except that my wingspan measurements are slightly larger than yours. I have not seen another like mine, that is, until I saw yours.
Regards,
John

[merdock]

Hi,
Aluminium also can leave a mark on paper ,handle aluminium and it leaves your hands black,try it with a known piece of aluminium and see want i mean.
All the best Merdock