MUSEUM COPIES

THE OAK LEAVES WITH SWORDS & DIAMONDS IN GOLD TO THE KNIGHT'S CROSS AWARD

For a time, "The" most coveted award of the Third Reich was the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds in Silver to the Knight's Cross.

When the legendary Luftwaffe Ace Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel won the highest award of the Third Reich in Silver, the Gold version was created especially for him as the new highest award of the Reich.

The "Oaks & Diamonds in Gold" featured here is a fantastic and dead accurate Museum Copy taken directly from the original award "liberated" by an American combat engineer of the 29th Division who had taken it from the personal vault of Gauleiter Josef Wagner whose office was near Stuttgart.

This award is made up of 4 separate pieces held perfectly in place by 3 rivets and is 14K gold plated. The 54 "diamonds" are Zircons that are correctly clasp mounted by hand, not cheap glass glued into place.

This work of art is gracefully aged by hand to perfection and is beautifully displayed in its correct presentation case. The ribbon completes the display.

If you are looking for that perfect one of a kind piece to complete your Knight's Cross or Third Reich display, look no further, they simply don't come any finer then this Museum Copy. Awesome and very fairly priced.

Each set $250 US

THE OAK LEAVES WITH SWORDS & DIAMONDS TO THE KNIGHT'S CROSS AWARD

"The" most coveted award of the Third Reich was the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight's Cross.

The "Diamonds" award stands amongst the rarest of the rare. It was instituted on 15 July 1941 and only 27 of them were ever awarded.

The "Oaks & Diamonds" featured here is a fantastic and dead accurate Museum Copy taken directly from the original award "liberated" by an American combat engineer of the 29th Division who had taken it from the personal vault of Gauleiter Josef Wagner whose office was near Stuttgart.

This award is made up of 4 separate pieces held perfectly in place by 3 rivets and is .980 silver-plated. The 54 "diamonds" are Zircons that are correctly clasp mounted by hand, not cheap glass glued into place.

This work of art is gracefully aged by hand to perfection and is beautifully displayed in its correct presentation case. The ribbon completes the display.

If you are looking for that perfect one of a kind piece to complete your Knight's Cross or Third Reich display, look no further, they simply don't come any finer then this Museum Copy. Awesome and very fairly priced.

Each set $250 US

THE SS TOTENKOPF VISOR CAP INSIGNIA SET

Punched from the very same original molds that made the famous Third Reich SS Visor Cap Insignia and expertly finished by European craftsmen. Each of these amazing "POST WAR ORIGINAL" SS Visor Cap insignia is gracefully aged by hand, one by one, to perfection. No two sets are the same. It would be inaccurate to label these handsome SS insignia "Museum Copies" since they come from the original molds, hence the preferred term "Post War Originals". Together they are a matched set with each one being correctly marked: RZM M1/52

NOTE: There have been reports from Europe of some of these same insignia have recently been sold as original artifacts.

FACT: The Third Reich did not make sloppy or poor grade insignia. Each and every insignia created was a work of art exhibiting very fine detail and pride of workmanship. This SS Insignia set represents the finest of Third Reich craftsmanship.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Here is what to look for when comparing copies to original artifacts.

" Note the crisp, clean detail on these insignia, especially evident in the extreme close ups of the Totenkopf teeth, the eagle feathers, and wreath areas. Copies simply do not exhibit this degree of sharp detail.

" These insignia have a substantial weight when held in the hand, best described as hefty for their size. Almost all copies are made of lightweight metal and feel flimsy.

" The mounting prongs ought to be as shown, a flat prong with a sharp angled point.

" Check the legs for possible uneven height between the left and right legs. Note the absolutely correct symmetrical perfection of the "Post War Originals" shown here. Believe it or not, some copies have the legs at different heights and thickness, a sure give away.

" Another copy dead give away is "edge flash". Note the bird's head, almost all copies have a slightly bulbous head as if the bird is fitted with a Falconer's Hood. Originals have clean-cut edges with no "edge flash.

" Also check the minute details of the bird's face, originals have a well-defined eye and mouth.

" Have a close look at the Totenkopf's teeth. An original's teeth are sharp and well defined. The roots of the upper teeth are clearly evident. Copies simply do not exhibit this degree of definition.

" The eagle has a scrawny body with an indentation usually on the right side, this immediately signifies a copy. Note the perfect body shape and deep clean feather detail in this "Post War Original".

" Copies may have a wreath with flattened sides and the leaves may be inconsistent and the swastika unevenly shaped.

" The upper edges of the wing may be too thin or overly thick. Again, please compare these suspect wings to the "Post War Originals" shown here, crisp, clean and correct.

This set of "Post War Original" SS Totenkopf Visor Cap Insignia are absolutely identical to the original artifacts. After all, they came from the same Third Reich molds.

Each set $100 US

THE GERMAN ORDER 3rd CLASS WITH CASE

The German Order 3rd Class award is one of the more rare Third Reich awards. This cased example of the German Order 3rd Class is a "Museum Copy" of the original, rich in detail and of the finest construction. Like the originals, it is a three-piece decoration with the Golden Party Badge logo in the center surrounded by a laurel wreath. Each one is gently aged by hand to give it that "period" look. The pin is the correct "coke bottle" style.

Each German Order 3rd Class comes in its' own red leatherette fitted case and will make an excellent addition to any Third Reich collection.

Each set $50 US

Knight's Cross Document & Folder Set - RITTERKREUZ URKUNDE UND MAPPE

We are pleased to present our critically acclaimed, Museum Copy of the famous and much sought after “Knight’s Cross Document in Folder” set or “Ritterkreuz Urkunde Und Mappe”.

Over a period 6 months, we enlisted the advice and recommendations of 3 well respected experts in the field of Third Reich artifacts. The goal was simply to produce the finest reproduction of this famous presentation document set as possible. Our team has identified virtually every nuance relating to this important document set. This includes accurate measurements, material selection, printing fonts, ink aging characteristics, methods of construction, embossed gold leaf, material aging and so forth.

An expert documentation restoration firm that specializes in 16th century documents and ancient books, meticulously handcrafts each Ritterkreuz Presentation Set. Their client list includes a number of prestigious museums and wealthy private collectors.

The Knight’s Cross antiqued burgundy Moroccan goat skin leather folder and the aged vellum document completes this presentation set. Each presentation set is a handcrafted work of art, a totally unique item and as the saying goes “You can’t rush a good thing”. No two sets are alike. The folder and document set therefore has a 2 to 4 week lead time. They are available named either to: Erwin Rommel, Michael Wittmann, Sepp Dietrich, Adolf Galland, Hans Ulrich Rudel or Erich Topp. For more detailed information on the documents themselves, please see the document section at the end of this section.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS OF THE SET

• Like the originals, the folder is handcrafted from genuine burgundy Moroccan goat’s leather. We select only the finest hide’s money can buy.
• The eagle on the cover was scanned from an original folder and burned onto a copper block so the eagle may be embossed in 24K gold leaf, remaining faithful to the original design.
• The original artist’s name, Frieda Thiersch, is embossed in small gold, block letters on the back inside cover, true to the original.
• The document itself is made of modern vellum material and is the same exact size as the originals. Real vellum is a product of the “flesh” side of an animal’s hide. Each real vellum page ages differently over time. We have “sampled” a number of original vellum pages and arrived at an accurate way to “age” or “antique” our vellum so it matches the originals in texture and appearance.
• We also “sampled” the color of the original printing to ensure our ink “aged” to the correct reddish brown tone that the originals have now assumed. As each vellum page will change color in a unique fashion, so will the color tone of the printing. The original documents have all aged to a variety of different color shades and tones over the years.
• The original Hitler signatures were in black fountain pen and did not show aging to the same extend as the printing. They remained black but slightly faded. Our Hitler signatures are in black ink and like all original signatures exhibit the “overlapping” or “layering” where the ink lines cross over each other. Facsimile signatures are mono toned.
• The inside covers of the folders are finished in the off-white moiré silk fabric like the originals.
• The inside features a burgundy leather loop in the spine designed to hold the double-paged vellum document in place.
• The burgundy Moroccan leather folder, vellum document and moiré is all gracefully aged by our skilled craftsman to perfection.
• The exact measurements of the originals have been respected and faithfully replicated.
• The fonts used for the rank title and date names have been “sampled” from originals to ensure total accuracy.
• The Knight’s Cross winners name is embossed in gold leaf exactly as the originals were. We have chosen an “antique” gold to remove any hint of newness from the embossing.
• Like the originals, this set comes wrapped in tissue, and packaged in a plain brown 'period' style cardboard box.

Each Knight’s Cross Folder & Document Set $950 US.

ADOLF HITLER, A PORTRAIT BY PROFESSOR HEINRICH KNIRR

Simply a stunning, true "Museum Copy" digital reproduction of the original oil painting of Der Führer by Professor Heinrich Knirr applied on real canvas. This famous image is superbly created by the Giclee printing system, widely recognized by the Fine Art Community as "The" state-of-the-art fine art printing system. The surface area has been treated for UV protection and is water resistant . Once stretched, mounted and framed, it appears exactly as the original oil painting of Der Fuhrer did as it hung in the Kanzlei Des Fuhrers.

This fine art piece is available in a variety of sizes.

Each 10 1/4" x 14" $80 US

Each 22" x 30" $150 US

ADOLF HITLER, A PORTRAIT BY WILLY EXNER

An incredible, true museum quality digital reproduction of the famous original oil painting of Adolf Hitler by Willy Exner applied on real canvas. This fine image is superbly created by the Giclee system, recognized by the Fine Art Community as "The" state-of-the-art fine art print reproduction system. The surface area has been treated for UV protection and is water-resistant. Once stretched, mounted and framed, it appears exactly as the original oil painting of Der Fuhrer did as it hung in the Kanzlei Des Fuhrers.

This fine art piece is available in a variety of sizes.

Each 16" x 20" $90 US

Each 20" x 24" $130 US

Each 24" x 30" $200 US

DER FUHRER AT THE FUHRER'S HEAD QUARTERS

There have been a number of famous Hitler portraits reproduced on canvas with the Giclee Fine Art Printing System. But this portrait of Hitler posing as the "Conquering Hero" on the stone steps of one of his Führer Head Quarters is nothing short or incredible. This is one RARE portrait on real canvas and to the best of my knowledge not available anywhere else.

This fine image is superbly created by the Giclee system, recognized by the Fine Art Community as "The" state-of-the-art fine art print reproduction system. The surface area has been treated for UV protection and is water-resistant. Once stretched, mounted and framed, it appears exactly as the original oil painting of Der Fuhrer did as it hung in the Kanzlei Des Führers.

Each 13" x 20" $100 US
Each 20 x 30 $200 US
Each 30 X 45 $350 US

HITLER'S VISOR CAP NSDAP GOLD EAGLE

Hitler commissioned his visor caps from the firm of Holters Uniformen. He also commissioned some of his jewelry and private purchase insignia from firms such as H.J. Wilm and Assmann.

So there are NSDAP party visor cap eagles and there are "Der Führer's NSDAP party visor cap gold eagles". This rare insignia falls into the latter category, the finest of the finest, truly the "Pride of the Reich", exotic Museum Copies at their absolute best. Each and every one of these Adolf Hitler cap eagles is a work of art, exhibiting superb detail and pride of workmanship.

Meticulously handcrafted by a third generation goldsmith, this gold eagle is cast directly from a mold taken from the finest original private purchase visor cap eagle the Third Reich had to offer.

When handling this insignia, the first thing you will notice is its' exceptional heft and weight. The incredible detail is immediately apparent even to the untrained eye. Needless to say, the mounting prongs are super heavy duty and the eagle has all the correct RZM and maker's marks. In short, this eagle is built like a Panzer.

Each of these amazing Museum Copy insignia is gracefully aged by hand, one by one, to perfection.

After finishing, the gold Hitler eagle is then placed in a special Adolf Hitler presentation case. The gold eagle exhibited here is 14K gold plated on to a solid .925 silver casting.

14K gold plated on to a solid pure .925 silver eagle: $150 US
14K solid gold eagle: $475 US
18K solid gold eagle: $650 US

VISOR CAP POLITICAL EAGLE

The detail of this pure .925 silver Visor Cap Political Eagle is noticeably finer than on the base metal versions and naturally, it exhibits considerably more heft. Make no mistake this is no lightweight. The three mounting prongs are also considerably thicker due of their additional weight.

This superb "Museum Copy" is reproduced directly off a perfect, rare original. The original eagle was purchased in Berlin from a former employee of the Assmann firm and the Wilm firm, both known makers of these private purchase insignia.

This striking Visor Cap Political Eagle "Museum Copy" is gracefully aged by hand, one by one, to perfection. It comes in a custom made, private purchase presentation case with a gold embossed eagle on the lid.

This presentation set will make an fine addition to any Third Reich collection.

Each $90 US (case included)

THE PURE .925 SILVER SS VISOR CAP INSIGNIA

To any SS Officer, this set of pure silver, handmade, private purchase SS visor cap insignia is without a doubt the "Mercedes Benz" of all SS headgear insignia. These were purchased by the SS Officer who wanted nothing but "The" very finest of insignia to proudly display on his visor cap.

The detail of the pure silver skull and eagle is noticeably finer than on the base metal versions and naturally, they exhibit considerably more heft. Make no mistake these are no lightweights. The mounting prongs are also considerably thicker due of their additional weight.

This superb "Museum Copy" set is reproduced directly off a perfect, rare set of original silver SS insignia. The originals were purchased in Berlin from a former employee of the Assmann firm and the Wilm firm, both known makers of these private purchase insignia.

Each of these amazing SS "Museum Copy" insignia is gracefully aged by hand, one by one, to perfection. The set comes in a custom made, private purchase silver embossed SS presentation case.

They simply don't come any better than this. These are truly jewels of the Schutzstaffel.

TIPS: Here is what to look for when comparing fair reproductions to "Museum Copy" reproductions.

" Note the crisp, clean detail on these insignia, especially evident in the extreme close ups of the Totenkopf's teeth and the eagle's torso and wreath area.

" These insignia have a substantial weight when held in the hand, best described as hefty for their size. Almost all copies are made of lightweight metal and feel flimsy.

" Another "fair copy" dead give away is "edge flash". Note the bird's head, almost all copies have a slightly bulbous head as if the bird is fitted with a Falconer's Hood. Originals and "Museum Copies" have clean-cut edges with no "edge flash".

" Also check the minute details of the bird's face, "Museum Copies" have a sharp, clear, well-defined eye and mouth.

" Have a close look at the "Museum Copy" Totenkopf's teeth. They are sharp and well defined, the roots of the upper teeth are clearly evident and the teeth are sharp and well defined. This sort of impeccable detail is even hard to find in many originals.

Each set $150 US (case included)

THE GERMAN CROSS IN GOLD (A MUSEUM COPY)

One of the most sought after of all Third Reich awards, the War Order of the German Cross in Gold (Das Deutschen Kreuz) was established by Hitler on September 28th, 1941. The award had as its objective the recognition of repeated acts of bravery or exceptional command skills not justifying the award of the Knight's Cross, but superior to requirements for award of the Iron Cross 1st Class.

The construction of this decoration is the most complex of all the military decorations of the Third Reich and was composed of 5 main pieces which were assembled and then riveted together, (not counting as pieces the pin, the hook, and the hinge). It eventually became known as "Hitler's Fried Egg".

Offered for sale here is "The Hands Down" finest Museum Copy of this award ever made. Made in Europe from the original Third Reich molds and assembled and aged by skilled craftsmen. Every nuance is correct right down to the rivets and it's substantial heft. The detail is sharp and crisp. In fact, I have heard reports of this same item being sold as originals by unsuspecting dealers and collectors.

Each of these incredible German Cross in Gold awards is aged and cased. I usually have a few on hand, but from time to time there may be a waiting period of a couple of weeks until the next shipment arrives.

Each $800 US (case included)

THE KNIGHT'S CROSS AWARD (A MUSEUM COPY)

No other military award of the Third Reich era carries with it the mystique of the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz) to the Iron Cross. Suffice to say that the men who proudly wore the Knight's Cross at their throat had distinguished themselves in the crucible of battle. The Ritterkreuzträgers became the heroes of an adoring Nazi Germany. In fact, to this day the Ritterkreuzträgers are still held in high esteem in their own communities.

In September of 1939, the Knights Cross was created by Hitler to bridge the sizable gap that had existed between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Grand Cross. An unprecedented grade of the Iron Cross, the Knights Cross could be distributed to all ranks and more than a handful of times, yet recipients would remain part of an exclusive and elite group.

Offered for sale here is a stunning, true Museum Copy of this much sought after award. This Knight's Cross is of a multi piece construction and is virtually identical to the originals. Check the photographs and note the correct, finely detailed cross-hatching, the nearly invisible seams, the correct maker marks and the loop stamped 800.

They simply don't come any better then this fine example. An excellent addition to any Third Reich collection. Correct case and ribbon included.

I usually have a few on hand, but from time to time there may be a waiting period of a couple of weeks until the next shipment arrives.

OTHER OPTIONS

• Also available with the ".800 20" mark or any other makers mark by special order.
• Also available with the standard black painted core, without antique cracking.
• Also available "aged" at no extra cost.
  

Each $450 US (ribbon & case included)

Below: An aged example of an ".800 20"

THE OAK LEAVES TO THE KNIGHT'S CROSS (A MUSEUM COPY)

During the Western campaigns it became apparent that a new grade of award would be needed to further distinguish those who had received the highest grade of the Iron Cross, the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz). On June 3rd, 1940 Hitler introduced the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross.

Criteria for the Oak Leaves was based on continued excellence in command, bravery of the highest order or actions of significant importance. Recommendations for the Oak Leaves were formally presented by the Commanding Officer and reviewed all the way to Hitler, who closely scrutinized each one and very often presented the award personally.

Offered for sale here is a superb, true Museum Copy of this much sought after award. Check the photographs and I'm sure you will agree they simply don't come any better then this fine example. An excellent addition to any Third Reich collection. Correct case and ribbon included.

I usually have a few on hand, but from time to time there may be a waiting period of a couple of weeks until the next shipment arrives.

Each $250 US (ribbon & case included)

THE OAK LEAVES WITH SWORDS TO THE KNIGHT'S CROSS (A MUSEUM COPY)

As Germany's Armed forces moved into the Soviet Union, Hitler instituted the next successive grade of the Knights Cross. The Oak Leaves and Swords (Eichenlaub und Schwertern), authorized on July 15th 1941, were created as a further incentive to the Legions of men now moving East.

This award was composed of an Oak Leaves cluster identical to that of the preceding grade, but with the addition of a pair of crossed silver swords soldered at the base.

The criteria for the Swords followed the same pattern as the Oak Leaves. Individuals presented with this award represented the best fighting men Germany had to offer. Members of the Heer and SS needed to have the most impressive portfolio in order to be considered, not only bravery but also combat and leadership skills were needed to rise above the rest and be recognized with the Swords. Lufftwaffe personnel followed the same points system as in the preceding classes, with only the most experienced aces reaching the points required.

Offered for sale here is a superb, true Museum Copy of this much sought after award. Check the photographs and I'm sure you'll agree they simply don't come any better then this fine example. An excellent addition to any Third Reich collection. Correct case and ribbon included.

I usually have a few on hand, but from time to time there may be a waiting period of a few weeks until the next shipment arrives.

Each $275 US (ribbon & case included)