14ct Lufthansa "500,00 Flugkilometer" Pin

[TobyR]

Hi Everyone,

This probably should be in a different part of the forum but I thought those who would most appreciate it, frequent this section more than any other.

Anyway, I am pleased to share with you my latest acquisition: a Lufthansa Pin for 500,000 Flugkilometer (Flight KM).

The badge is of super quality with much hand finishing evident.

However, what makes it all the more interesting IMHO, is that it is made of 14 carat gold (585 marked on the reverse).

Huesken makes no mention of any of these badges being produced in gold. Consequently, I am wonder if this would have been a special presentation piece, or privately purchased item. Any ideas?

Anyone else have any Lufthansa pins?

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

All images copyright DRLtd 2007.

[TobyR]

Angle:

[TobyR]

Side-on:

[TobyR]

Reverse:

[TerryG]

Very nice, very interesting. Any history behind these?

[Robin Lumsden]

Great item, Toby. A presentation piece, I think.

[JAYP]

There is a article on these badges in a old copy of the Military Advisor,I will try to dig out my copy.Jay Parisi

[TobyR]

@ Robin, Terry - Thanks for replying. Glad you both like it.

@ Jay - does the article mention gold examples?

Best,
Toby.

[JAYP]

Toby,The Military Advisor is Vol 2 Number 2 Spring 1991,the 500,000 example shown in the article is gold and marked 585 with a serial number of 113.It is a good article written by Wilhelm P.B.R. Saris,I believe you can order back issues from Bender.Jay Parisi

[stonemint]

I'm not a badge collector, but I enjoy civil items--these are quite striking, and I have never seen one in color before.

I wonder if it is researchable thru Lufthansa's archives? Makes one wonder if this was worn by the crew that flew the Condor to New York in record time!

[TobyR]

Toby,The Military Advisor is Vol 2 Number 2 Spring 1991,the 500,000 example shown in the article is gold and marked 585 with a serial number of 113.It is a good article written by Wilhelm P.B.R. Saris,I believe you can order back issues from Bender.Jay Parisi

Thanks Jay.

Best,
Toby.

[transvision]

i now own this pin. it would be great to see more of these?

[wilhelm Saris]

This is really a nice badge. It was the second pattern - I believe out of heart - and in use until about 1938. This particular badge was for technicians (due to the cogwheel init), actually for Maschinisten and Funker and appeared in this form, known as Ehrennadel für 500,000 kilometer in de dress-regulation from April 1935. The eagle should look to the left wing. The later pattern to the right wing.

My article was based upon material from the Lufthansa files (I went there for a year every month). I heard they hardly will help you these days as the archive personnel largely is being sacked.

All about the Lufthansa is told about in "Deutsche Lufthana", 1926-1945 Geschichte-Bekleidung-Abzeichen (published in 1992, so all b/w). The honor badges with numbers are covered in this book over the pages 173 through 203. The highest flight-kilometer is 3,000,000 (archived April 4, 1943 for the first time, handed over to the pilot Paul Sluzalek). As far as I know only three persons got this badge. Only one with a cogwheel. The guys that flew to the USA will have worn a higher number for sure.

[Military]

Very nice and unique piece, understated in the history of german aviation.
John T has a couple of the standard ones for sale I think.

Mil

[wilhelm Saris]

The guys that flew to the USA will have worn a higher number for sure. .

Here I do not mean 3,000,000 but 500,000 of course!