Need help- Ostpreussen amber/silver stickpin

[Matthew]

This is one of those rare instances where I saw the piece and simply had to have it. I don't know anything about it other than the obvious- Ostpreussen coat of arms on an amber stickpin. Wonderfully executed piece IMO.
I was hoping someone would have some info on those? Who were they awarded to and what for?
Tested the eagle- it is made out of silver, usual knurled pin, genuine amber.
Any info will be greatly appreciated

cheers
Matt

[Matthew]

two more shots

two more pics.

Thanks in advance for any help.
cheers
Matt

[ErichS]

Matt, sorry can't help you on its purpose but I really like it and no doubt a period piece.

[Br. James]

Hi Matt,

Quite an interesting piece you have there! Amber is a natural substance long found, among other places, along the Baltic coastline and has been used to make jewelry for thousands of years. Gauleiter Erich Koch of Ostpreußen did much in his time to cultivate and support the amber museum in his capital city of Königsberg, and it is appropriate that he would have approved the use of amber together with the coat of arms of Gau East Prussia to produce a unique and representative decoration like this stickpin. Being an occurrence in nature, each piece of amber is its own work of art, which gives this piece even greater personality. Congratulations on capturing a beautiful and unique piece!

Br. James

[Gary Symonds]

Very nice. I'd buy that stickpin in a heartbeat.

The use of amber is not surprising in conjunction with the East Gau Badge. There is plenty of amber in the Baltic area.

[jabnus]

Hi Matthew,

Do a google search on the following:

Brandenburg-Königsberg, Stadt

Abzeichen o.J. Hoheitsadler auf Bernstein in der Form Ostpreußens montiert, eingraviert Tannenberg-Denkmal. Ca. 33 x 21 mm.

I can't find a better reference at the moment (eyes are closing from sleep), but im sure someone else can pinpoint it more exact for you.

best regards,
Gaston

[Wood]

My basic initial feeling is that it is either a tinnie of some sort (Ostprepreussen made quite a few tinnies using amber) or a piece of souvenir jewelry.
Pete

[Jean-Claude]

Not sure if its relevant but I have seen a lapel pin with the same eagle & shield device but without the amber being described as a miniature/lapel pin version of the Gau Ost Preussen badge for sale at a dealer's site recently

JC

[Matthew]

quite a gem- literally

Thanks for your kind commends Gents.

Gaston- I have looked up the name you mentioned previously but netted no info.
JC- I think the dealer you mentioned might be a little optimistic about this piece- I have no idea what it is but I am pretty sure a mini of Gau OP it is not (missing a wreath- a mini has been posted on WAF before- it is the same design just smaller).
I tend to agree with Wood- it's probably some kind of tinnie although quite elaborate. Maybe even an ehrenadel of sorts.
I seem to recall a pic of the same being worn- will see if I can find it in my mess here.

cheers

Matt

[Wood]

Here are two more, posts 7 & 9.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=694650
Pete

[ddun]

Hi Matt,
this stickpin with Gau Ostpreussen symbol was made in Koenigsberg by "Norddeutsche Bernstein Industrie" (owner Rudolf Naujoks). Very common piece, I have it in my collection too. There are many variants of these stickpins with amber - "Pregelgautag", "Tag der Arbeit", "Luftsport" and many more...

greetings from Amber Coast in East Prussia

[Matthew]

Hi Matt,
this stickpin with Gau Ostpreussen symbol was made in Koenigsberg by "Norddeutsche Bernstein Industrie"

Thanks for the info. What is the source of it?

cheers
Matt