Hitler’s personal copy of Mein Kampf and more lead History Hunter Auction

Craig Gottlieb's History Hunter Auction 13 closed with over 97% of all lots sold—another record in the military auction space. Hitler’s personal copy of Mein Kampf sold for $28,400, a bargain in the eyes of many. Attractive prices were sprinkled throughout the event, but most lots closed strong, proving that the market is alive and well!

HIGHTLIGHTS:

Dress Bayonet, Eickhorn, Single Etch

Near perfect finish throughout. Scabbard retains 99% paint, and is virtually perfect. Hilt of the bayonet shows some very light uniform surface distruption to the plated finish. This specimen was sold by Tom Wittmann in 2004 and comes with his letter of authenticity. Sold for $637

Organization Todt Steel Buckle

Extremely scarce Organization Todt steel buckle retains about 65% original gray finish. Reverse is stamped “ORG. TODT” in a circle. Desirable and rare buckle, adopted in 1941. Sold for $305

Waffen SS Steel Belt Buckle, Assmann

Textbook Assmann SS steel belt buckle for enlisted and NCO ranks retains 98+% of its original dull green finish. Judging from the finish under the catch and the prong bar area, it has never been worn. It does exhibit several small spots of surface rust, particularly on the upper feather of the eagle’s wing, and dark smudges to the finish from handling and storage. Marked RZM 155/43 SS under the prong bar. Sold for $726

Government Official, Dagger Eickhorn

This dagger features a tremendous amount of factory protective lacquer remaining on the exterior fittings, which are 100% silvered. Typical Eickhorn construction differs from the more common Alcoso product, with major differences being a larger swastika wreath, more pronounced upturned eagle wingtips, and more deeply carved ferrule grooves. Blade grades 99% perfect, with only one tiny speck under the crossguard, on the obverse. Hangers are crisp and in like-new condition, with most finish remaining to the clips and 100% finish to the buckles. Brocade is perfect, as is the velvet backing. Sold for $7,300

Bahnschutz Polizei Officer Dagger, Hangers and Knot
Example by Hörster is 99% mint, with no detractions worth mentioning. Hangers are the square-buckle variety, feature beautiful brocade on the obverse, and black velvet on the reverse. Lower clips are properly DRGM and RZM marked. Sold for $9,900

Luftwaffe General’s Breast Eagle, Cased

This unique breast eagle is a solid silver variant, featuring gold plating. It would be worn exclusively by a Luftwaffe general on his summer white uniform. The eagle is housed in a period presentation case. Sold for $2,800

Deutsche Jägerschaft Banner

Very impressive, double-sided Deutsche Jägerschaft (German Hunting Society) banner measuring 114 inches in length by 45 inches wide. A splendid white silhouette of a stag’s head and brown scroll with “D.J.” is stitched to each side of the rich, green background. A radiating swastika fills the space between the stag’s antlers. There is some staining and small holes above the stag’s right antler and to the left of the scroll. Shadow The swastika on each side is made from a single piece of fabric. This scarce, two-sided banner is very impressive and will stand out in your advanced collection of Third Reich material. Sold for $456

NSDAP Flag Bearer’s Gorget in Original Box

Nearly flawless example of this beautiful Political Leaders’ Standard Bearer gorget—one of the more famous and well-designed of the period. Featuring a bronze-colored finish that is 99% intact, the gorget details are crisp and well-defined with sharp edges on the leaves bordering the obverse and distinct feather and claw details on the eagle. The wool backing is intact but does exhibit some moth perforations near left edge and on the lower right. Both chain tangs are RZM-stamped, “M5/8”. The chain is complete and in like-new condition. The last link is RZM marked, “M1/17”. Sold for $1,870

Spanish Franco Era Military Merit Medal

This specimen was coined by Egaña Industries and depicts a woman with a laurel branch in one hand and a shield with a lion’s head in the other. Beneath her, a scroll reads, “AL MERITO / EN CAMPAN” (“The merit in campaign”). The reverse has arms of Spain repeated the crowns of laurel and oak, with small area for a dedicatory inscription (blank). Planchet is suspended from correct ribbon mounted on a brass, rectangular pinback bar. Sold for $498

S-Boat Badge, 2nd Style

Kriegsmarine Schnellboot badge was made by Rudolf Souval of Vienna, Austria, and is correctly maker marked on the reverse. The zinc alloy badge retains most of its original gilt and dark grey finish as can be seen in the images. The pin, hinge, and round wire catch are intact and undamaged. The badge appears to have been worn but not excessively, and overall it remains in great condition. Sold for $610

SS Officer Visor Cap, Allgemeine SS

An outstanding example of a textbook Allgemeine SS Officer visor by the firm of Clemens Wagner. Exterior grades high, with no mothing or damage, and well-preserved white piping. Officer chin-cord is exactly the correct size for this example. Buttons are clipped in with fasteners, which is normal for the standard officer version by this maker (some of the higher-grade examples will feature sew-in buttons). Interior is in matching condition, and features the correct black silk lining material. Black tag is sewn in place beneath the sweat-shield, and underside of the bill is SS marked. Plain plastic sweat diamond is present, and free of damage. Sold for $12,200

NSKK Officer’s Kepi

Officer’s kepi, worn by members of the NSKK (SA Motor Corps) in outstanding condition with no mothing, and a very crisp flat-wire NSKK eagle. Interior is lined with water-resistant cloth commonly found inside both SA and NSKK kepis. Interior is size marked “54”. Ersatz leather sweat band shows damage with splits, peeling, and some small areas missing. Sold for $1,225

Prussian Garde Infantry Officer, Model 1897 Pickelhaube

This high quality, privately purchased, black-lacquered leather helmet appears to have been assembled from parts. All original, period parts include: Gilt round spike base attached with gilt star buttons and gilt spike, rear spine, and chin scales. The National and Prussian state cockades appear to retain original colors. The leather body is in very nice condition, exhibiting very little crazing or other damage. There are extra holes (filled) on the front from having had a different front plate at one time. The two-piece, clam-style cloth lining exhibits moderately heavy wear with some fraying. If this helmet was completely original, and not just assembled from original parts, it would be worth about $5,000. As it stands, this is a great opportunity to inexpensively fill an important opening in advanced helmet collection with an “all original, assembled Prussian Officer’s Garde helmet.” Sold for $1825

WWII US Armored Crewman ‘Tanker’ Helmet

U.S. armored crew helmet is made of olive drab hardened composition fiber material and has a pattern of 3/4 inch vent holes on crown. Helmet is trimmed with matching OD leather. Elastic straps on rear of helmet are intact, though the chinstrap is missing. Finish of the crown shows some storage scuffing with a 1 inch scar above the rear vent hole. No ear receivers, though the flaps and snaps to retain them are in good condition. Interior has padded brown leather liner marked with “RAWLINGS / 7” maker’s size stamp. Nice helmet retains 85% finish. Sold for $237

Luftwaffe Christmas Beer Stein, 1941

A wartime Christmas beer stein that was presented to a member of the Lufthauptmuna (Air main munitions facility) Dieburg in 1941. Salt glazed grey finish with large Luftwaffe eagle and wording above and below in black and red. Pewter lid has a relief design of a Luftwaffe eagle in an oakleaf wreath. The underside of the lid has the original recipient’s or presenter’s name engraved, which looks like ‘Ankenbrand’. There are some spots to one side of the stein that appear to be from when it was kiln fired; there are no cracks or chips. Sold for $840

Luftwaffe Sword, Damascus

Outstanding quality sword, constructed of early nickel silver fittings throughout. Original blue leather is in near-perfect condition. Original leather integral hanger remains, and is in outstanding condition. Blade is genuine maidenhair damascus, and the tang is marked “CW” for Carl Wester. Reverse of tang says “DAMAST.” Blade length: 28.5 inches. Blade condition is outstanding, with a very clear and pronounced damascus pattern.

Imperial German Cuirassier Tunic and Cuirass

Tunic and cuirass representing the Kürassier-Regt. Herzog Friedrich Eugen von Württemberg (Westpreußisches) Nr.5. The waist-length “Kollet” made from cream colored, boiled wool (kersey) and has the collar and Swedish cuffs trimmed in enlisted grade, red facing color. A name tag sewn to the lining below the collar identifies the soldier as, “Kürassier Karch, 5. Squadron.” Tunic has suffered a lot of moth damage. All of this, however, is not readily noticeable when displayed with the accompanying cuirass. The cuirass is actually an officer’s 1900 pattern (“Offizierskürass 1900”) as worn by line regiments. The body and edges are made of thin, nickled sheet iron. The long scale straps, lion’s head hinges, latches, and studs are all brass or brass-plated. The interior is lined with quilted silk material. Sold for $3,600

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