Himmler's Third Reich Police Service, An 18 Year Long Service Silver Polizei Medal

Adolf Hitler instituted 3 classes of Police Long Service Awards in 1938, in order to recognize police personnel for their loyal service to the Third Reich and the Fuhrer.
The medal featured here is the class, for 18 years of service, struck from an alloy and finished in a silver plate. The reverse reads "FUR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER POLIZEI" (For Loyal Service in the Police).

Himmler and Heydrich wanted to extend the power of the SS; thus, they urged Hitler to form a national police force overseen by the SS, to guard Nazi Germany against its many enemies at the time real and imagined. Interior Minister Frick also wanted a national police force, but one controlled by him, with Kurt Daluege as his police chief. Hitler left it to Himmler and Heydrich to work out the arrangements with Frick. Himmler and Heydrich had greater bargaining power, as they were allied with Frick's old enemy, Goring. Heydrich drew up a set of proposals and Himmler sent him to meet with Frick. An angry Frick then consulted with Hitler, who told him to agree to the proposals. Frick acquiesced, and on 17 June 1936 Hitler decreed the unification of all police forces in the Reich, and named Himmler Chief of German Police. In this role, Himmler was still nominally subordinate to Frick. In practice, however, the police was now effectively a division of the SS, and hence independent of Frick's control. This move gave Himmler operational control over Germany's entire detective force. He also gained authority over all of Germany's uniformed law enforcement agencies, which were amalgamated into the new Ordnungspolizei (Orpo: "order police"), which became a branch of the SS under Daluege. The Ordnungspolizei was separate from the SS and maintained a system of insignia and Orpo ranks. It was possible for policemen to be members of the SS but without active duties. Police generals who were members of the SS were referred to simultaneously by both rank titles during the war. For instance, a Generalleutnant in the Police who was also an SS member would be referred to as SS Gruppenfuhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei. In addition, those Orpo police generals that undertook the duties of both Senior SS and Police Leader (Huhere SS und Polizeifuhrer) gained equivalent Waffen-SS ranks in August 1944 when Himmler was appointed Chef der Ersatzheeres (Chief of Home Army), because they had authority over the prisoner-of-war camps in their area.

Heinrich Himmler's ultimate aim was to replace the regular police forces of Germany with a combined racial/state protection corps (Staatsschutzkorps) of pure SS units. Local law enforcement would be undertaken by the Allgemeine-SS with the Waffen-SS providing homeland-security and political-police functions. Historical analysis of the Third Reich has revealed that senior Orpo personnel knew of Himmler's plan and were opposed to it.

Overall good as worn condition, with very slight edge plate wear  read more

Code: 20063

1830 Damascus Barrel Irish Overcoat Pistol, With Percussion Back-Action Lock, by Green of Mallow

County Cork, Ireland. Chequered rounded grip all steel mounts. Large bore. A sound and effective personal manstopper protection pistol that was highly popular during the late Georgian to early Victorian era. London, like many cities around the world at that time, could be a most treacherous place at night, and every gentleman, or indeed lady, would carry a pocket or overcoat pistol for close quarter personal protection or deterrence. Replaced ramrod.As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 23072

A Scarce English Transitional Revolver Circa 1840 By Cook of London

The stepping stone between the 1830's pepperbox revolver, and the later first double action revolver patented by London's Robert Adams in 1851. Some of the most ground breaking work in the early design and manufacture of revolvers was undertaken in England long before the world famous American revolver makers, such as Colt and Remington, became famous for their fine pistols. This most interesting piece is fully, and most finely engraved, on the frame and grip, with a highly detailed micro chequered walnut butt. Good operating action, several areas of old surface pitting intersperced with areas of no pitting at all. Trapdoor percussion cap container in the butt. Made by one of England's 19th century makers and innovators of fine revolver pistols, of London. A classic example of one of the earliest English cylinder revolvers that was favoured by gentleman wishing to arm themselves with the latest technology and improvement ever designed by English master gunsmiths. They were most popular with officers [that could afford them] in the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. A picture in the gallery is of Robert Adams himself, loading his patent revolver for HRH Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's Consort. He was also manager for the London Armoury and he made many of the 19,000 pistols that were bought by the Confederate States for the Civil War. The US government also bought Adams revolvers from the London Armoury, at $18 each, which was $4.00 more than it was paying Colt for his, and $6.00 more than Remington.The action on this beautiful gun is good very nice, and tight, but the surface has areas of old corrosion. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 22364

A Very Fine 1920's to 30's Silver Gilt & Enamel Graf von Zeppelin Demi-Tasse Cabinet Spoon, With Enamel Portrait of Zeppelin & a Zeppelin Airship in the Spoon Bowl

Superb condition and a most charming and collectable object d'art. Ferdinand von Zeppelin served as an official observer with the Union Army during the American Civil War. During the Peninsular Campaign, he visited the balloon camp of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe. Lowe sent the curious von Zeppelin to another balloon camp where the German-born aeronaut John Steiner could be of more help to the young man. His first ascent in a balloon, made at Saint Paul, Minnesota during this visit, is said to have been the inspiration of his later interest in aeronautics.

Zeppelin's ideas for large dirigibles was first expressed in a diary entry dated 25 March 1874. Inspired by a recent lecture given by Heinrich von Stephan on the subject of "World Postal Services and Air Travel", he outlined the basic principle of his later craft: a large rigidly-framed outer envelope continuing a number of separate gasbags. In 1887 the success of Charles Renard and Arthur Krebs' airship La France prompted him to send a letter to the King of Württemberg about the military necessity for dirigibles and the lack of German development in this field. He went on to start the Zeppelin Airship Co. and his name lived on in German legend as the great airship pioneer of international travel and airship warfare.  read more

Code: 24604

A Rare German Aerospace Zeppelin First Flight To South America, .835 Silver Medal, 1930 Made In Berlin

Silver medal 1930 (O. Glöckler) The "LZ 127" made its first trip to South America. bust of dr. H. Eckener to the left / Airship over the Atlantic between Europe and South America. Edge punch: (half moon) 835 PR. BERLIN COIN. 36 mm, 24.59 Min. Scratches. excellent ++ condition
LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin (Deutsches Luftschiff Zeppelin 127) was a German passenger-carrying, hydrogen-filled rigid airship that flew from 1928 to 1937. It offered the first commercial transatlantic passenger flight service. Named after the German airship pioneer Ferdinand von Zeppelin, a count (Graf) in the German nobility, it was conceived and operated by Dr. Hugo Eckener, the chairman of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin.

Graf Zeppelin made 590 flights totalling almost 1.7 million kilometres (over 1 million miles). It was operated by a crew of 36, and could carry 24 passengers. It was the longest and largest airship in the world when it was built. It made the first circumnavigation of the world by airship, and the first nonstop crossing of the Pacific Ocean by air; its range was enhanced by its use of Blau gas as a fuel. It was built using funds raised by public subscription and from the German government, and its operating costs were offset by the sale of special postage stamps to collectors, the support of the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, and cargo and passenger receipts.

After several long flights between 1928 and 1932, including one to the Arctic, Graf Zeppelin provided a commercial passenger and mail service between Germany and Brazil for five years. When the Nazi Party came to power, they used it as a propaganda tool. It was withdrawn from service after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, and scrapped for military aircraft production in 1940.

A most scarce piece, but remarkably we acquired this fine example thanks to another example that we have. That past medal was spotted by this rare medal's owner on our website, and they offered it to us. It is only the second of its type of this rare medal we have had in over 10 years.  read more

Code: 24598

Superb Medieval 12th-13th Century Crusader Knights Iron Flanged Battle Mace & Scorpion Flail Mace Head

A rare example of mace, and, apparently, not many surviving examples of this type of flanged mace are still in existence. An offensive battle mace that would be an amazingly effective piece against armour, helmet or shield. In almost spherical form with multi layered protruding flanges in hollow-cast iron that could be mounted on a haft, or with a chain and haft and used as a battle flail. They were also carried as a symbol of power and rank, as it is so now, for example such as the cosmetically huge parliamentary mace and the Queen's great mace of state being just two examples. In the Crusades era this was, on occasion, also an ecclesiastic weapon [used by Bishops Popes], for an ecclesiastical warrior was not allowed to draw blood in combat [a most novel distinction] but far more usually used by mounted knights in noble combat. a flail mace for extra reach on horseback. Unlike a sword or haft mounted mace, it doesn't transfer vibrations from the impact to the wielder. This is a great advantage to a horseman, who can use his horse's speed to add momentum to and underarmed swing of the ball, but runs less of a risk of being unbalanced from his saddle.
It is difficult to block with a shield or parry with a weapon because it can curve over and round impediments and still strike the target. It also provides defense whilst in motion. However the rigid haft does have the advantage as the flail needs space to swing and can easily endanger the wielder's comrades.
Controlling the flail is much more difficult than rigid weapons.On a Flail it had the name of a Scorpion in England or France, or sometimes a Battle-Whip. It was also wryly known as a 'Holy Water Sprinkler'. King John The Ist of Bohemia used exactly such a weapon, as he was blind, and the act of 'Flailing the Mace' meant lack of site was no huge disadvantage in close combat. Although blind he was a valiant and the bravest of the Warrior Kings, who perished at the Battle of Crecy against the English in 1346. On the day he was slain he instructed his Knights [both friends and companions] to lead him to the very centre of battle, so he may strike at least one blow against his enemies. His Knights tied their horses to his, so the King would not be separated from them in the press, and they rode together into the thick of battle, where King John managed to strike not one but at least four noble blows. The following day of the battle, the horses and the fallen knights were found all about the body of their most noble King, all still tied to his steed. During the Middle Ages metal armour such as mail protected against the blows of edged weapons. Solid metal maces and war hammers proved able to inflict damage on well armoured knights, as the force of a blow from a mace is great enough to cause damage without penetrating the armour. Though iron became increasingly common, copper and bronze were also used. Pictures in the gallery, some medieval, showing them used in combat. The mace head is approximately the size of a slightly flattened tennis ball.  read more

Code: 22686

A Wonderful, Original, Historical, Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantine Christian Cross In Bronze 7th to 10th Century

A super, small collection of original, historical, Imperial Roman and Crusader's artefacts has just been acquired by us and will be added over the next week or so. This Bronze Cross was hand forged during the Middle Ages in the cradle of Christianity, the Byzantine Empire. In AD 324, the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine the Great transferred the Eastern Roman Empire capital to Byzantium, which became Constantinople, known as ''New Rome''. The Byzantine Empire became centred on the capital of Constantinople and was ruled by Emperors in direct succession to the ancient Roman Emperors. With the eventual decline of Rome, the Church of Constantinople became the richest and most influential center of the Christian world.
The reign of Justinian the Great in 527-565 marked a blossoming of Byzantine culture with a building program that yielded such masterpieces as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Wisdom of God, Hagia Sophia. Justinian, who is considered a Saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, created the authority of this Church, which firmly established Christianity throughout the Empire. This Byzantine Empire would exist for more than a thousand years until 1453 and was one of the most powerful economic, cultural, and military forces in Europe and Asia Minor. This superb cross was most certainly worn by a Byzantine citizen as a statement of faith during this amazing age of early Christendom. Picture in the gallery of an 8th century painting 'Christ is the Crucified, and a King'. The details of the painting are, they say; 'He is robed in majesty; He is fastened to the Cross. He wears the royal purple robes with which His scorners intended to mock Him, but He, Alpha and Omega, the first and last Word, the Primogenitor of those who are being saved, confers His own divine dignity onto the very idea of kingship. He wears the glory that inspired the good thief to plead for his salvation, with the confidence of the One whose Sonship makes that salvation possible'.  read more

Code: 23253

Another Fabulous ‘Grand Tour’ Piece of History. An Original Transylvanian/Hungarian 14th Cent. Bronze Mace Head, An Iconic Weapon Of War of the Knights of Vlad Dracul, In The War With Sultan Mehmed IInd Ruler of the Ottoman Empire

From the reign of Vlad Dracul, a name that from which derived the Order of the Dragon. Who was ruler and prince of Transylvania. A bronze mace head formed with a series of low pyramidal points, and in patinated condition throughout. This wonderful original artifact, from Eastern European medieval history, was a most popular close combat weapon for mounted knights of the 14th century and 15th century, and as a highly effective close combat knightly weapon they were continually used right through the 15th into the 16th century. They were used by the Hungarian Knights of the Black Army, and the Transylvanian Knights and mercenary knights that served Prince Vlad the IInd and his son Prince Vlad Dracul, [Vlad the IIIrd, the Impaler] and the Szekely . They fought across the whole Empire, in Hungary, Transylvania, Romania, fighting against the encroachment of the expanding Ottoman Empire of Sultan Mehmed IInd.

Vlad Dracul of Transylvania inspired the tales of the vampire of legend, named "Dracula". That evolution of Dracul, recalls only the character from the 1897 novel by Bram Stoker, dramatically and memorably realised by Bella Lugosi, in the eponymous 1931 Hollywood horror film, and then followed by all too numerous actors since, including one of the very best, Gary Oldman. However, behind the popular myth lies the genuine historic ruler Vlad III Dracula "the Impaler" (1431-76), Prince of Wallachia in what is now Romania, a vassal of the Hungarian kings. Voivode is the medieval Romanian term for a regional commander, which position Vlad held intermittently in addition to his princedom (1448, 1456-62 and 1476), and the name "Dracula" is a diminutive derived from the Imperial Order of the Dragon, the order of knights to which Vlad and his father, Vlad II (1390-1447) commanded. He ruled his military kingdom of Wallachia southern Romania with a heavy and blood-soaked fist. To not only the Turks but also to many of his own countrymen he was Vlad The Impaler, Vlad Die Tepes (pronounced Tee-pish). Determined not to be overtaken by the intrigue of an intriguing political underhandedness, in a world in which princes fell daily to smiling, hypocritical "allies," paranoia among the aristocracy was, and probably needed to be, utmost in a sovereign's disposition. Dracula built a defence around him that dared not open kindness nor trust to anyone. During his tenure, he killed by the droves, impaling on a forest of spikes around his castle thousands of subjects who he saw as either traitors, would-be traitors or enemies to the security of Romania and the Roman Catholic Church. Sometimes, he slew merely to show other possible insurgents and criminals just what their fate would be if they became troublesome.
A pamphlet published in Nuremburg, Germany, immediately following his death in 1476, tells of his burning beggars after allowing them free food at his court. "He felt they were eating the people's food for nothing, and could not repay it," the broadside explains. And there are countless of other tales of Dracula's wickedness written down ages ago, many of which will be related in this article. This Mace is without haft,and in it's present state it would make a superb cabinet piece, or desk display. However if required we could commission our master cabinet maker to create a replacement haft to replicate how it once would have looked complete. Original paintings in the gallery of Vlad IIIrd and a Knight of the Black Army with mace, and finally an original medeivil portriat of Stephen Lackfi, holding an identical Hungarian mace, he was a knight horseman, and note the Dragon Order shield.
[for information only] The Szekely are of uncertain origins, subject to much debate among themselves and among scholars. A widespread theory asserts that they descend from the warrior tribes settled by the Hungarians in the border mountains to defend against invasions from Tatars and other menacing people from the east. Szekely people adhere proudly to a Hungarian identity. They have a slightly distinct Hungarian dialect, but most of the differences from modern Hungarian consist of archaic words and phrase constructions, as well as a particular intonation.

In medieval times, the Szekely were part of the Unio Trium Nationum ("Union of Three Nations") a coalition of the three Transylvanian Estates, the other two nations being the (predominantly Hungarian) nobility and the Saxon (ie ethnic German) burghers. These three nations ruled Transylvania, usually in harmony though sometimes in conflict with one another. The Romanian inhabitants, who largely belonged to the class of serfs (which also included many Hungarians), were Orthodox and were not allowed political representation. The Szekely were considered the best warriors of medieval Transylvania. Regular size mace of the period 2 inches at the widest  read more

Code: 22566

Royal Scottish Clan Glengarry Badge 'In Defence' Lion Rampant, Gilt

WW1 period. A very nice Glengarry badge of the Scottish Royal crest. The glengarry bonnet is a traditional Scots cap made of thick-milled woollen material, decorated with a toorie on top, frequently a rosette cockade on the left side, and with ribbons hanging down behind. It is normally worn as part of Scottish military or civilian Highland dress, either formal or informal, as an alternative to the Balmoral bonnet or tam o' shanter. The Royal Regiment of Scotland wears the glengarry with diced band and black cock feathers as its ceremonial headdress. Traditionally, the Glengarry bonnet is said to have first appeared as the head dress of the Glengarry Fencibles when they were formed in 1794 by Alexander Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry, of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. MacDonell, therefore, is sometimes said to have invented the glengarry - but it is not clear whether early pictures of civilians or fencible infantry show a true glengarry, capable of being folded flat, or the standard military bonnet of the period merely 'cocked' into a more 'fore-and-aft' shape. The first use of the classic, military glengarry may not have been until 1841, when it is said to have been introduced for the pipers of the 79th Foot by the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lauderdale Maule.

It was only in the 1850s that the glengarry became characteristic undress headgear of the Scottish regiments of the British Army. By 1860, the glengarry without a diced border and usually with a feather had been adopted by pipers in all regiments except the 42nd (Black Watch), whose pipers wore the full dress feather bonnet. In 1914, all Scottish infantry regiments were wearing dark blue glengarries in non-ceremonial orders of dress, except for the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who wore them in rifle green, and the Scots Guards, who wore peaked forage caps or khaki service dress caps. 2.25 inches high  read more

Code: 21054

Original Victorian 7th Dragoon Guards Silver Cap Badge, 1898 1906

A superb example in pristine condition, not hallmarked silver. Crisp and sharp and superb quality. Part of a small collection of original rare Victorian badges we have just been most pleased to acquire. At Dettingen, Cornet Richardson of the 7th received thirty-seven wounds whilst defending the Regimental Standard. This standard is the oldest surviving in the British Army.
7th Dragoon horsemen carried out the last cavalry charge of World War 1 when they galloped for 10 miles to capture LESSINES in BELGIUM and the crossings there over the RIVER DENDRE suffering no casualties themselves, but taking 4 German officers and 167 men prisoners. As was required by higher command this action was completed as the clocks were striking 11 o?clock when hostilities had to stop in accordance with the terms of the Armistice.  read more

Code: 15968