The gorgets carried by the Standard Bearers of Third Reich organizations are extremely interesting, and good-looking artifacts. They make great additions to a collection of edged weapons. The same organizations that used a unique gorget breast piece to represent the traditions of their service branch also carried a dagger for the same reasons. The two go hand in hand. They also will prove to be great accent pieces with a dagger collection. Hope you enjoy this section.
Gorgets of the Third Reich, by Richard Deeter will greatly educate you on this interesting subject. This book is available in my catalog at the back area under "out-of-print references" section.
GORGETS #32624 1st Type Veteran’s Gorget
This veteran’s gorget measures about 6.5” across, being a crescent shape. It has a nickel plated finish and has a rolled edge throughout. The center area has an applied set of four flags. These flags are also equipped with poles and tops. The set of flags on the left have the Imperial crown and Imperial insignia, while the flags at the right are 3rd Reich style with swastikas in the center. Obviously, these flags were shown to encompass veterans from all periods. In the center, there is a wreath of overlapping oak leaves. In the middle is an enamel insignia which depicts the war memorial. The insignia has a black memorial with white field. At the bottom of the insignia is a red background with black swastika on a round white field. This enamel insignia is shield shaped and other than a tiny chip at about the 7:00 area of the swastika, the enamel is perfect. In the corner of each top end is a brass boss. These bosses hold the retaining tabs on the reverse. One tab has a the number “2” stamped into it. The reverse reveals that the insignia is held by screws with nuts. The bosses are retained by bent over prongs. I don’t know whether this gorget had a backing on it, but it currently does not. The gorget is complete with its neck chain. The neck chain consists of heavy brass links which alternate depictions of raised iron crosses and raised immobile swastikas. There are 56 links in this neck chain. The gorget is the same as the example shown on page 154 of the Deeter book. Cleaned up some, this would make a fine example.Excellent. $795.00
GORGETS #31688 NSKK Traffic Direction Gorget
This NSKK Gorget is the same as is shown in the Deeter book on page 141. These aluminum base breast plates were worn by NSKK officials who also acted to help with traffic control in large cities. The aluminum gorget measures about 7 inches across. It is in the shape of a fat half-moon with the tips at the top being blunted. The gorget is painted black in the center area and the rolled border edge is left in plain aluminum for contrast. The NSKK eagle and banner in the center of the gorget is also left plain. This eagle looks to the viewer’s right and has good detail to his head, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised out mobile swastika. The banner above the bird has the organizations initials, “N.S.K.K”. Above the banner is the number assigned to the official who would have been wearing this gorget, “656”. Running along the bottom round edge of the gorget is the name raised out and also in aluminum for contrast, “N.S.K.K. VERKEHRS ERZIEHUNGSDIENST”. At the top of each corner there is an aluminum boss. The boss retains a pair of round rings which in turn are connected to the aluminum chain. The chain is a series of simple ovaledaluminum links connected with smaller double links of the same shape. The reverse of this gorget has a green felt backing. The backing to me looks like it was probably replaced as it is in a new-like state. I would rather have a nice replacement job then none at all though but at least you know what it is. There is also a tab in the center reverse which acted to steady the gorget while being worn. There is a double RZM circle stamped into this tab. A nice looking item here and a great artifact to display with a nice NSKK dagger.Excellent Plus. $995.00(#080211)
GORGETS #29492C Veteran's 2nd Style Gorget with Chain
This Veteran’s gorget is an aluminum breast plate in a crescent shape which measures about 6 ½-inches in width. The aluminum shield has a raised border which runs throughout the length. In the center area there is an enameled shield which has a red pebbled background. In the center is an Iron Cross having silver bordered legs and a black swastika with silver field with black lines around it. The enamel is in good condition with no breaks. This shield has a gold triple oak leafed wreath. On either side of the shield there are the flags of the imperial time and the flags of the Third Reich time. The flags have the crown with WR and the lined swastika respectively. I noticed that one of the flag tops is missing on the outside imperial flag but the other three are still intact. This is not something that is noticeable. There is also a matching gilded boss in both top corners. These bosses retain these tabs on the other side which are the catches for the neck chain. This faceplate shows some usage and a few scratches here and there but if anything they present a sense of history. The reverse of the aluminum shield is lined with a blue black felt. There is one moth hole in about the center of the felt. Other than this it is in good shape. The aluminum tab on the right side is stamped with the numeral, “3”. The neck chain consists of 41 gilded brass links. These links alternate between raised Iron Crosses and raised mobile swastikas. The links are connected together with small wire connectors. A nice gorget here which would display well with a veteran’s armband or possibly a 1st style gorget. These are all getting hard to find and prices are going up. This example is nearly the same as the piece that is shown on page 158 of the Deeter Book. The only difference is the Deeter Book piece has a number “25” added above the shield.Excellent. $895.00