Panzer skulls

[Eric Stahlhut]

First off,

Sorry for the scans. The finish on these is not represented properly. While the obverses are tarnished, the backs still show a great deal of original frosting. Definition is excellent. They are not marked for silver, but they have the feel and ring of silver. Measure approx. 23-24mm in width by approx. 20mm tall. A small amount of verdigris is also present.


Opinions?

[Eric Stahlhut]

Whoops! weiter scrollen, Bitte!

[Eric Stahlhut]

reverse:

[Jürg]

Danziger style skulls. Looks good to me.

Jürg

[Eric Stahlhut]

Thanks!

Hi Jürg,

Can you elaborate a bit on the term 'Danziger' in relation to these items?

best,
e-

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Eric,

Danziger = as Glenn Danzig from the band Danzig likes to wear them on his belt.

No, all joking aside, they are fine and I think this refers to the round "bulby" form of the skull and the crude bones and is an earlier form of these skulls. But Jürg knows a lot more about these and can surely elaborate where the name and reference to the city of Danzig comes from. I just felt like jesting, sorry.

Cheers, Frank H.

[Jürg]

Panzer Skulls

Still before the start of WWII the members of armored units received the black special clothing. A caracteristic sign of this was the collar tabs with the "Totenkopf" made of Aluminium or Zinc. This badge was the traditional connection to the two "Leib-Husarenregimenter" (Totenkopf-Husaren/Dead Head Husars) of the old army until 1918. There is also skull style known as "Braunschweiger Totenkopf", which is rarely seen instead of the well known Danziger style Dead Head. The "Braunschweiger Totenkopf" is in connection to the Braunschweiger black corps from 1809 - 1815. It's well known that the armoured divsion became the successor of the traditional Cavalary units and therefore took over their Dead Head symbol. There are also some pics of Panzer men wearing the Waffen-SS skull on their tabs instead of the Danziger skull.

Well why Danziger style? This is due to the fact that the Prussian Leibhusaren have been placed in Danzig untill 1918. This also was the reason that the follwing units also took over the Dead Head badge: Küstenschutz Danzig, SS-Heimwehr Danzig, the Danzig Police as well as the Danzig Firedepartment.

So I hope this helps.

Cheers from Switzerland

Jürg

[Jürg]

The three known Dead Head styles

from left to right:

Danziger Style, Braunschweiger and Waffen-SS Style

[Jürg]

Braunschweiger Style in wear

This is a pic of Major Friedrich-Wilhelm Breidenbach who got the knight cross on the 30th of September 1944 as leader in the Pz Brigade 101, Pz Division "von Lauchert". He is wearing the Braunschweig skulls.

Jürg

[Jürg]

here we go again

cheers from Switzerland

Jürg

[Eric Stahlhut]

Many thanks, Jürg!

[Dave Suter]

Interesting photo! I think that's the first one I've ever seen with that style of skull devices on the tabs.

Never say never.